Hospital Stay

[shayv123 96]

Have any of you heard of the sleeve being done on as an outpatient procedure? Just curious what everyone else experience has a been or will be like?

[etexask 1]

Not sure if you can do it as an outpateint....had a drain hanging out of my side and did a xray while drinking on the second day. Anyone that would do it as outpateint isnt checking for leaks.

[iggychic 1,405]

i answered in the other question you asked. why the same q twice?

[iggychic 1,405]

Not sure if you can do it as an outpateint....had a drain hanging out of my side and did a xray while drinking on the second day. Anyone that would do it as outpateint isnt checking for leaks.

YUP and i barely lived to regret it! major surgery should be done in a hospital.

[Pinky Green 260]

My doctor said that having a drain and checking for x-rays while drinking is "old school" and that he checks for leaks while he is still working on you. He did a fairly new procedure called a Spider incision.

[Pinky Green 260]

Oh, and he had me scheduled for 2 days but said I had done so well, he said I could leave the day after surgery - but I didn't feel comfortable leaving and stayed the extra day.

[iggychic 1,405]

My doctor said that having a drain and checking for x-rays while drinking is "old school" and that he checks for leaks while he is still working on you. He did a fairly new procedure called a Spider incision.

anyone who actually experiences a leak will beg to differ with that level of arrogance

i would agree not everyone needs a barium swallow (leak test) but when you do, even the most progressive docs know that a swallow test is not old school.

[shayv123 96]

i answered in the other question you asked. why the same q twice?

I wanted to make sure as many people as possible were able to give me feedback. All of my previous surgeries have been outpatient and I've never had any issues, but I wouldn't be human if I didn't at least ask.... Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Pinky Green 260]

anyone who actually experiences a leak will beg to differ with that level of arrogance

i would agree not everyone needs a barium swallow (leak test) but when you do, even the most progressive docs know that a swallow test is not old school.

I suppose that actually depends on if his incidence of leaks is very high or really low.

[iggychic 1,405]

I suppose that actually depends on if his incidence of leaks is very high or really low.

it only takes one leak to kill...people develop leaks via doctor error as well as through patient error and just bad luck. but they are all diagnosed the same way.

[Ready4success 380]

My doctor said that having a drain and checking for x-rays while drinking is "old school" and that he checks for leaks while he is still working on you. He did a fairly new procedure called a Spider incision.

My surgeon checked during my surgery too. I also had single incision using the spider. I was discharged the morning after surgery. Some surgeons feel that it's difficult to see a leak with so much inflammation after manipulation and stapling. My surgeon does a leak test in his office at the 6 weeks post-op check, whether you have symptoms or not. I'm sure if they feel it's old school to do it the day after, there should be evidence based research showing that it's not a reliable test so soon after surgery. Anyone feel up to researching this topic?

[Getting There 198]

Why not opt for a cautious surgeon who does the leak test? This is your LIFE we're talking about. Sure, I've had outpatient surgery before - on my shoulder. But when you're talking about a major surgery, removing part of an organ, I wouldn't settle for anything but a hospital/surgical environment with the option to stay 1 or 2 nights. And personally, having read about the severity of leaks, I wouldn't settle for a surgeon that didn't perform this important test post-surgery. Just don't understand why a surgeon wouldn't perform the test - or why a patient wouldn't insist on having one. But that's just my opinion. I tend to be overly cautious and very conservative with issues like this.

[JonathanS 75]

Dr. Smith is doing the same with me by preforming the test while I'm still on the table. I have complete faith in him and if he says this is the best way then I'm ok with it. He has not had a single leak in 2+ years. He also uses extra clasps and glue to prevent leaks. I'm classified as outpatient for my insurance. However, if I don't feel up to leaving at the 23 hour mark then I'm more then welcome to stay.

Outpatient vs inpatient has nothing to do with the quality of care you receive but how long you will be in the hospital. My insurance will only accept outpatient classification for the precert.

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

The best thing is that you trust your Dr and you have a good line of communication with him/her.

Listen to your body, ask questions and get the care you need

I wish you the best in your surgery!!! The sleeve saved my life. I was very sick before, I'm a new person.

I'm still amazed everyday

[shayv123 96]

The best thing is that you trust your Dr and you have a good line of communication with him/her.

Listen to your body' date=' ask questions and get the care you need

I wish you the best in your surgery!!! The sleeve saved my life. I was very sick before, I'm a new person.

I'm still amazed everyday [/quote']

Thank you for your kind words!