Hospital stay and recovery time?

[AutumnLily 77]

I was just curious as to the average stay in the hospital after VSG? Also, if I were to only have 6 days off from duties would it be possible to do the surgery during that time, or wait till a longer stretch of time was available?

Did anyone get really ill after the surgery and had to take extra time off work?

I am curious as to getting things rolling but only have 2 oportunities this year to go to Mexico for the surgery.

AutumnLily

[pnw218 14]

It truly depends on lots of things - no clear cut answer for any of your questions : )

In the US, there are drs who do this surgery as outpatient, I have heard others talk about being in an ICU unit for days afterwards. It would be my guess that the drs in Mexico keep most patients at least one night in the hospital/clinic and then at a recovery house or hotel for a couple of nights, to make sure patients are good before they travel home.

My recovery was very easy. The first day or two is yucky, typical post op. I flew home on day 3 and never took another pain med. I went back to work on day 4 and worked all week. I do have a mainly desk job and am self employed. There were some days that I left after 4-6 hours and went home for a nap. We did have an employee file an L&I claim that week tho so I was swamped and needed to be there.

I think alot of it is your attitude going in. Think positive, get up and move after surgery, take a shower and put on real clothes. That has been my experience from past surgeries.

Good luck with your research! It is an amazing tool and I do not regret it at all!

by the way ~ I have been to Calgary and it is beautiful!

[lmmore 0]

2-3 days is average. I would not have been ready to go back to work until after two weeks (if I didn't have other health problems). But alot depends on each individuals surgery, health, and age. At 59 it took me a little longer to feel good.

Edited May 17, 2010 by lmmore

[AutumnLily 77]

Thank you. I guess I will just have to make a decision if I want to do it this year or next year when I can get more time.

Seattle is very nice I havent been there in a long time. But will probably head back one of these days.

[redroses47 1]

I was an out-patient .. surgery at 10:15a .. left the surgical center at around 2p. Seems fast but in looking back, their point was to get me on my feet and start me on fluids. I was fine but coming off of anesthesia is not great - the air in my abdomen was pretty intense for a couple of days but I had no pain whatsoever from any of the incisions or my stomach. I still don't .. it's been a very smooth ride.

You are right PNW .. it's about your attitude. I went in with a successful mindset and so far so good.

[redroses47 1]

I forgot to mention that I was pretty easily tired in the days following so I took about 12 days off of work and it was fine by the time I returned to the office. I am not sure I could have returned in 3-4 days as some people did .. my body really needed sleep and that I did - a lot.

[AutumnLily 77]

humm ok I better think this over as to when I should book. Thank you kindly for your replies and information.