Stay at Hosptial?

[Bell1138 1]

I was wondering if the lap band surgery is an out patient surgery or do you have to be admitted to the hospital for a few days.

[kiz 1]

Some insurance companies require an overnight stay, so you don't always have a choice, but unless you have extenuating circumstances that might cause you to need to stay overnight, going home the same day is completely doable.

I had surgery in the morning and was home by early afternoon. I was very happy that I didn't have to stay the night. However, I had an uneventful recovery, didn't have young children to care for, and my husband was home to help me out as needed.

[Jessrw 0]

My doctor allows you to choose either to stay the night or go home later after the surgery if everything is ok. However if you have sleep apnea you have to stay the night. I think it depends on the doctor though.

[Bell1138 1]

Thank you for your replies. I really hope I do not have to stay overnight because I have two small children and they have never had to sleep without me. I will have my husband and my mother to help me with the children, but I know that they get worried if they don't see my for a long time.

[adagray 1]

In my experience, I would say that if you can stay overnight in the hospital, it would be better. My recovery was good, but it was still harder than I thought it would be. I have two small children too (4 and 6). The bariatric wing at the hospital I stayed at allows visitors anytime and any age so they could visit me all they wanted. I'm sure different hospitals have different policies so you'd have to check into this.

[LarraineM 6]

I was wondering if the LAP-BAND® surgery is an out patient surgery or do you have to be admitted to the hospital for a few days.

BCBS requires overnite stay

[Humming Bird 275]

I had my lapband surgery + hiatal hernia surgery at 1:00pm and was outta there at about 4:30.

I am so glad it was outpatient. I've had 3 other surgeries and had 1 baby and I really hate staying at the hospital. Out of the 5 times, I only had to stay twice and convinced the Docs to let me out early both times.

I just do so much better with recovery at home.

[Astrasmom 1]

I was wondering if the LAP-BAND® surgery is an out patient surgery or do you have to be admitted to the hospital for a few days.

My doctors office required me to stay in the hospital over night. I was out of there at about 11am the next morning.

[Davidzthe1 0]

My doctor gave me the choice of staying since I had a late surgery, which I graciously declined!!

[Teacher07 3]

I had to stay overnight and I couldn't have imagined comming home that day. I was so sick it was ridiculous, I needed help out of bed, to the bathroom or just to roll over. I think I had a really bad experience compared to most others though.

[TinaM 0]

I HIGHLY recommend you stay 1 night if you get the opportunity.

You have 1 - n24 hour period to have people paid to watch over you and give you pain medicine! The spouse, kids, dog and everyone else can manage. I think some people insist on being outpatient because in their minds it makes it an 'easier' surgery. My doc gave me the choice and despite a great support system at my house I am so thankful for the hospital stay. I did not have the headaches others have complained about and my gas pain was too a minimum. Every time I had a question I just rang the nurse button and asked it, I didn't have to wonder laying at home if this was right or that was right.

My surgery was scheduled at 10:30AM got to my private room at 2pm. I asked for a private room upon check in so I wouldn't have to smell other people's food and stuff - it wasn't a problem.

I had an IV to keep me hydrated, pain meds every 8 hours and a blood thinner every 6. Plus I had these nice boots on my legs and feet that were awesome massagers. Altogether greatly reducing my chances for complications.

I got up on my own every couple of hours to walk the hall (no the nurses didn't get me up).

The doc came in at 6AM and I was in the car headed home by 8AM.

[ElfiePoo 109]

I was wondering if the LAP-BAND® surgery is an out patient surgery or do you have to be admitted to the hospital for a few days.

I went in at 6 a.m. (surgery at 8 a.m.) and was discharged by 2 p.m. They actually kicked me out 2 hours earlier than they usually do because I was doing so well and wanted to go home.

.

Edited January 2, 2010 by ElfiePoo

[greytz 4]

I had to stay overnight due to a heart condition. A lot of it depends on your current health status and requirements of your insurance company. Check with your surgeon for your individual needs.

[zobee 0]

I was "outpatient" and stayed overnight. "Outpatient" is defined by a stay less than 24 hours, so if your surgery is at 2 pm, if you are discharged at 1 pm the next day, you're still considered "outpatient."

My advice is to stay at the hospital if given the choice -- especially given that you have small children at home. You're going to need as much recoup time as you can get before the demands of motherhood are upon you. Full time Mommyhood doesn't come with sick days -- take advantage of the time if you have a choice!

[kagead 0]

I'm not a mom (yet!) so I can't offer personal experience, but a client of mine recently told me she made a HUGE mistake by insisting on going home after a minor medical procedure. She said staying overnight would have been better for everyone involved.

Her kids are 2 and 5. She said they really didn't understand why Mom wouldn't pick them up, bend down to play with them, sit on their beds to read them a story or let them sit on her lap.

Even though her husband, MIL and good friend were there to entertain and watch the kids, the kids still went to her for EVERYTHING which meant she got very, very little rest that first 48 hrs when she should have been sleeping and recouperating. Last but not least, she said they were very upset when she first came home because they could see she was in pain.

While it might be hard for them to be without you for one night there might be some fun ways to distract them from the fact you aren't there- a sleepover party with friends or other family, "camping" inside, etc. in the long run it may help speed up your recovery if you dedicate that small amount of time to yourself.

Good luck to you!

kagead