Recovery room question

[CrazyJaney 775]

Wow @@PdxMan amazing recovery and what a transformation (in your gallery photos)! In the uk you are kept in hospital for at least 1 day, and more often 3-4 days. No walking round Las Vegas for 5hours post op... Incredible!

It's not normal ANYWHERE except for Las Vegas. The majority are 1 night stays here in the US. He's just extra special!

[PdxMan 4,292]

Wow @@PdxMan amazing recovery and what a transformation (in your gallery photos)!

In the uk you are kept in hospital for at least 1 day, and more often 3-4 days. No walking round Las Vegas for 5hours post op... Incredible!

Wow @@PdxMan amazing recovery and what a transformation (in your gallery photos)! In the uk you are kept in hospital for at least 1 day, and more often 3-4 days. No walking round Las Vegas for 5hours post op... Incredible!

It's not normal ANYWHERE except for Las Vegas. The majority are 1 night stays here in the US. He's just extra special!

I would LOVE to think I was special, but the truth is, I felt fine. I think I'll have to post a poll asking if people really found it necessary to stay in the hospital. Sure ... it can be nice having Nurse Nice get you ice chips and pop-sickles all day, but I can honestly say I did not need it. I was best served getting out and getting moving.

Besides, a great way for hospitals to make money is to have patients. ESPECIALLY if insurance is picking up the tab.

[mommyjamie 83]

If you go to my gallery, you will see me the day after surgery. That picture was take at the Wynn hotel/casino in Las Vegas (baby!). I had a pain pump which had a tube running directly to the suture line in my stomach. I was taking liquid loritab every 4 hours or so, too, which is basically liquid vicodin. I walked about 5 miles that day all over Vegas ... and it was July 9th ... about 105 degrees. Kept hydrated and had a great recovery. I have similar sentiments as you, but just the opposite. How can anyone actually WANT to be in a hospital? There are sick people there. When I have been in the hospital, I just want to lay in bed and be sick letting others take care of me. I knew with this surgery, I needed to be up and moving doing the things I needed to do to start my recovery. Outpatient was a great option for me.

Wow! What a difference. How long were you on the pain pump? I need to be up and ready to go ASAP.

[PdxMan 4,292]

Surgery was on Friday and the pump was removed Monday. I was back at work half time Wednesday and full time the following Monday.

If you go to my gallery, you will see me the day after surgery. That picture was take at the Wynn hotel/casino in Las Vegas (baby!). I had a pain pump which had a tube running directly to the suture line in my stomach. I was taking liquid loritab every 4 hours or so, too, which is basically liquid vicodin. I walked about 5 miles that day all over Vegas ... and it was July 9th ... about 105 degrees. Kept hydrated and had a great recovery. I have similar sentiments as you, but just the opposite. How can anyone actually WANT to be in a hospital? There are sick people there. When I have been in the hospital, I just want to lay in bed and be sick letting others take care of me. I knew with this surgery, I needed to be up and moving doing the things I needed to do to start my recovery. Outpatient was a great option for me.

Wow! What a difference. How long were you on the pain pump? I need to be up and ready to go ASAP.

[CrazyJaney 775]

Wow @@PdxMan amazing recovery and what a transformation (in your gallery photos)!

In the uk you are kept in hospital for at least 1 day, and more often 3-4 days. No walking round Las Vegas for 5hours post op... Incredible!

Wow @@PdxMan amazing recovery and what a transformation (in your gallery photos)! In the uk you are kept in hospital for at least 1 day, and more often 3-4 days. No walking round Las Vegas for 5hours post op... Incredible!

It's not normal ANYWHERE except for Las Vegas. The majority are 1 night stays here in the US. He's just extra special!

I would LOVE to think I was special, but the truth is, I felt fine. I think I'll have to post a poll asking if people really found it necessary to stay in the hospital. Sure ... it can be nice having Nurse Nice get you ice chips and pop-sickles all day, but I can honestly say I did not need it. I was best served getting out and getting moving.

Besides, a great way for hospitals to make money is to have patients. ESPECIALLY if insurance is picking up the tab.

I don't know.... You might have Super Ppwers, and you just don't know it! I've been a nurse a long, long time, all in Critical Care. I think this is a Vegas thing. Not to poke holes in your lovely vision of nurses being the provider of Popsicles and other comforts, but we also monitor for bleeding and leaks that first 24 hours. It doesn't happen often statistically, but they do still happen. It's hard to visualize walking along the Strip with a narcotic infusion, but then again it's Vegas - you probably fit right in! We nurses (as simple as we are) like to make sure patients are fully ready to take care of themselves before they go. The average person is pretty foggy for 24 hours post anesthetic making it a little longer to get going. Some have a but of anxiety. And I can promise you that not everyone experiences pain the same way, our brains are not wired the same. Many, many obese patients have atelectasis that can lead very quickly to pneumonia if they don't do their spirometer or get up and move. I know most of us are well prepared before surgery and that helps tremendously, but there is much to gain from good nursing care (besides the Popsicles) the first 24 hours. At least I'd like to think so. Of course, I guess I make my living off of sick people so I'd want them to stay sick. I get what you're saying, but the AVERAGE person is not ready to walk the Vegas Strip on the day of surgery. I'd hate for Preops to get this as "the norm". Again, I suspect you store some Super Powers somewhere in there! . Now maybe this pain pump made a difference? I'd be interested to hear how frequently this is used. My hospital doesn't send anyone home with pain pumps unless they are in hospice. Would love to hear more about that.

[Kindle 8,667]

You're so right about different levels of pain tolerance. I had my surgery at 3pm, was in my room by 6pm, and discharge at 9am. I too, was up walking around (Tijuana, not Vegas) less than 20 hours after surgery. And I had NO narcotics on board. I had a sublingual NSAID to take if I needed, but I was in no pain. My stomach muscles were sore like I'd done a bunch of sit-ups, and I felt very bloated, but that's it. I had a drain in for three days but that was more of an inconvenience than anything.

I feel so grateful after reading all the posts of people being in so much pain after this surgery. Maybe it's just my tolerance level. I had 2 vertebrae fused in my neck several years ago at the University of Utah and I was up walking around and discharged by noon the day after surgery. ( I did go home with narcotics that time!) but I was still back at work in two weeks.

[CrazyJaney 775]

For me personally, I have a common reaction to the general anesthesia gases and meds used in the OR. They work on the same part of the brain that seasickness, carnival rides, etc. I've never had a surgery that I didn't heave and have profound nausea and vertigo with the first 12-24 hours. I'm very intolerant of narcotics because of this. I'd rather hurt than vomit or have vertigo. That's a hard balance but at least I knew to expect it going in. A lot of people out there are unaware how they will tolerate pain meds. I hady surgery at 2pm, in my room at 7pm and was ready to go at 10am but had to wait for my husband so I didn't actually get home until later that night. I'd take my home over tge hospital any day but I was glad for IV anti-emetics that first night.

[greensleeve 457]

I find it hard to believe but ok. I think that when you have major surgery you need to be very careful. Your body is dealing with anesthesia, which is tough for some. Even with expert pain management, the truth is that you either had your innards rearranged or a big part cut out. It's not like going to get a hair cut. I was happy to have nurses who monitored me and were there in case of complications.

Not to mention there is no physical way you could get in enough Fluid the first day without an IV, much less while walking five miles in the heat. You would be so weak from the liquid diet and not being able to get much down.

Edited March 29, 2014 by Loveit2012

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I was in a private room and had excellent care. I was out in 24 hours by choice. No need to stay in the hospital when I could rest better at home!

[Kindle 8,667]

For me personally, I have a common reaction to the general anesthesia gases and meds used in the OR. They work on the same part of the brain that seasickness, carnival rides, etc. I've never had a surgery that I didn't heave and have profound nausea and vertigo with the first 12-24 hours. I'm very intolerant of narcotics because of this. I'd rather hurt than vomit or have vertigo. That's a hard balance but at least I knew to expect it going in. A lot of people out there are unaware how they will tolerate pain meds. I hady surgery at 2pm, in my room at 7pm and was ready to go at 10am but had to wait for my husband so I didn't actually get home until later that night. I'd take my home over tge hospital any day but I was glad for IV anti-emetics that first night.

That's really interesting about the anesthesia nausea coming from the same place as motion sickness. I get super car sick, even worse seasick, and can't go on any carnival rides (I've thrown up on a Ferris wheel before) I was extremely nauseous when I woke up from my cervical fusion surgery. I warned the cardiologist and anesthesiologist about it when I had my VSG. They pumped me full of some anti nausea drug preop, and it worked like a charm. I was very pleasantly surprised to have no nausea when I woke up. And I'm with you, I'd rather hurt than be heaving!

[dfwtxmissy 108]

I was in recovery for about 2 hours...an hour longer than I should have because my BP wouldn't go above 100. I don't remember waking up fully there. Remember voices but really no pain or shivering or discomfort. Got to my room and saw my hubs and all was fine. Went home the next day around noonish. Piece of cake.

[Susan-031314 179]

Like others here, I don't really remember the recovery room, just wheeling through the hall to my room. I dozed quite a bit that first day. I had the pain pump, but used it more because it was there, than any real need. Went home second day after surgery. Now I feel a little cheated as we only stopped at a CVS pharmacy and Walmart on the way home. After trying the prescription liquid pain med, I decided,I did not have enough pain to take that, and have had nothing but occasional baby Tylenol in 2 weeks since.

[CrazyJaney 775]

For me personally, I have a common reaction to the general anesthesia gases and meds used in the OR. They work on the same part of the brain that seasickness, carnival rides, etc. I've never had a surgery that I didn't heave and have profound nausea and vertigo with the first 12-24 hours. I'm very intolerant of narcotics because of this. I'd rather hurt than vomit or have vertigo. That's a hard balance but at least I knew to expect it going in. A lot of people out there are unaware how they will tolerate pain meds. I hady surgery at 2pm, in my room at 7pm and was ready to go at 10am but had to wait for my husband so I didn't actually get home until later that night. I'd take my home over tge hospital any day but I was glad for IV anti-emetics that first night.

That's really interesting about the anesthesia nausea coming from the same place as motion sickness. I get super car sick, even worse seasick, and can't go on any carnival rides (I've thrown up on a Ferris wheel before) I was extremely nauseous when I woke up from my cervical fusion surgery. I warned the cardiologist and anesthesiologist about it when I had my VSG. They pumped me full of some anti nausea drug preop, and it worked like a charm. I was very pleasantly surprised to have no nausea when I woke up. And I'm with you, I'd rather hurt than be heaving!

I had a GYN surgery a few years ago. They did the preop cocktail trying to prevent vomiting. The minute I woke up, I'm heaving. They were doing a trial at this hospital. One of the recovery rooms used Decadron (a steroid) and the other didn't. Luckily I was in the one that did and got it. It was absolutely amazing! It's very short acting but it was amazing to have that nausea disappear. Problem is, the narcotics make it come back within an hour or so. I do so much better with oral pain meds. With the sleeve, I asked for Decadron. It helped but not as much as I remembered before. I had considerable pain immediately post op with the sleeve. I really wished I could take oral meds instead of the IV - that was so frustrating! My nausea resolved as soon as the IV meds stopped and the anesthesia wore off. I was glad to go home too.

[PdxMan 4,292]

Wow @@PdxMan amazing recovery and what a transformation (in your gallery photos)!

In the uk you are kept in hospital for at least 1 day, and more often 3-4 days. No walking round Las Vegas for 5hours post op... Incredible!

Wow @@PdxMan amazing recovery and what a transformation (in your gallery photos)! In the uk you are kept in hospital for at least 1 day, and more often 3-4 days. No walking round Las Vegas for 5hours post op... Incredible!

It's not normal ANYWHERE except for Las Vegas. The majority are 1 night stays here in the US. He's just extra special!

I would LOVE to think I was special, but the truth is, I felt fine. I think I'll have to post a poll asking if people really found it necessary to stay in the hospital. Sure ... it can be nice having Nurse Nice get you ice chips and pop-sickles all day, but I can honestly say I did not need it. I was best served getting out and getting moving.

Besides, a great way for hospitals to make money is to have patients. ESPECIALLY if insurance is picking up the tab.

I don't know.... You might have Super Ppwers, and you just don't know it! I've been a nurse a long, long time, all in Critical Care. I think this is a Vegas thing. Not to poke holes in your lovely vision of nurses being the provider of Popsicles and other comforts, but we also monitor for bleeding and leaks that first 24 hours. It doesn't happen often statistically, but they do still happen. It's hard to visualize walking along the Strip with a narcotic infusion, but then again it's Vegas - you probably fit right in! We nurses (as simple as we are) like to make sure patients are fully ready to take care of themselves before they go. The average person is pretty foggy for 24 hours post anesthetic making it a little longer to get going. Some have a but of anxiety. And I can promise you that not everyone experiences pain the same way, our brains are not wired the same. Many, many obese patients have atelectasis that can lead very quickly to pneumonia if they don't do their spirometer or get up and move. I know most of us are well prepared before surgery and that helps tremendously, but there is much to gain from good nursing care (besides the Popsicles) the first 24 hours. At least I'd like to think so. Of course, I guess I make my living off of sick people so I'd want them to stay sick. I get what you're saying, but the AVERAGE person is not ready to walk the Vegas Strip on the day of surgery. I'd hate for Preops to get this as "the norm". Again, I suspect you store some Super Powers somewhere in there! . Now maybe this pain pump made a difference? I'd be interested to hear how frequently this is used. My hospital doesn't send anyone home with pain pumps unless they are in hospice. Would love to hear more about that.

I have read many stories very similar to mine here. Many, many. I hope you don't think I was disparaging nurses, though, because that certainly was not my intent. If a person has issues with anesthesia, then yes, you should plan a stay. My facility was associated with and across the street from a hospital, so if I needed monitoring beyond the support system I brought with me, I could have gone into the hospital. That is always an option with outpatient surgical procedures. I have had two surgeries on my spine, for heaven's sake ... in the past 18 months which were both outpatient, which, to be honest with you, I was surprised. I mean, they were playing around with my spine! Those procedures were done in the hospital and again, if needed, I could have gone to a room, but I don't usually have lingering affects from anesthesia, so, again, it worked for me.

As far as the walking around Vegas, hopefully you all know there is air conditioning everywhere there. It is not like I was walking up and down the strip. We would drive to a casino, walk around for an hour and go to another. At 1:00, back at the hotel for a 2 hour nap, then back at it again. 95% of the walking was inside casinos. Have you been to the Venetian? You can walk for miles in there alone. The picture from my gallery is when we visited the Wynn and briefly went outside.

As far as monitoring for leaks, as far as my research has determined, the vast majority occur well after dismissal from the hospital (for those that had hospital stays). The stomach and suture line is so swollen from the surgery, a leak doesn't actually present itself until the swelling begins to go down. Again, I value the nurses tremendously, don't get me wrong. I have an issue with being able to urinate after surgical procedures and they usually have to straight cath me before I leave. I take one with me and if I continue to have issues, I can perform the procedure myself. My wife was able to redress my bandages from my back surgery and I just feel I can recover better from home. I do understand other people feel more relaxed recovering with professional care. I totally believe they should get it. But if there are folks out there who feel they have the means to take more control, know there are options to do just that.

Also know I had the surgeon's cell # (called him once) and hospital number in my speed dial, just in case.

*** EDIT ***

Forgot about the pump. It was the On-Q system. The meds are in the ball under pressure, slowly sending the meds out through the tiny little tube. My surgeon said I could pull it out when it was deflated (yup, it was a little tube stuck in me just below my sternum), but I opted to have him do it. I was surprised and relieved that it didn't hurt a bit when he pulled it out. To see the picture I put on here, you have to have a web browser, I believe. Here is the link: http://www.iflo.com/images/on-Q_pump_with_tags8.jpg

Edited March 30, 2014 by PdxMan

[Ree 215]

Is the recovery room the room you go to before they bring you to the room you'll be staying in for the rest of your stay? I only remember them waking me up after surgery and knocking me back out when they could see I was in extreme pain. The pain was horrible!! When I woke up I was in the room I stayed in for the rest of my stay in the hospital.

I shared a room with another person. The person I shared a room with was in her 90's and wasn't all with it. She kept grabbing the curtain that separated us and kept on trying to grab me, which wasn't good because I was still in pain. I had to keep calling the nurse in, finally they moved her bed somewhere else.