Outpatient

[LGW80 1]

I'm scheduled for surgery on May 5th and it will be outpatient. Anyone else have their surgery outpatient, and if so, any details you could share would be appreciated (i.e. how your day went, pain level, etc.)? I have orientation next week and I'm sure I'll be given LOTS of information, but I'm just really curious.

[Sleeveless in seattle 208]

I was at a surgery center and considered outpatient, I was checked in at 7:30am and checked out at 7:30 the next morning. Pain wasn't too bad because they doped me up but later that day and for the next 2 days was pretty bad but taking the liquid pain med was worse than the actual pain.

[ziggypbang 272]

Hello,

I didn't have outpatient surgery, but I would have been happy to go home at 36 hours, but not before. I stayed for 48. I was still asking for extra "boosts" of IV pain meds during my 2nd day inpatient. I'm just curious - are you able to stay longer if you feel the need? I definitely wasn't in constant pain or anything, but the nausea was bothersome and my back hurt from lying in that confounded hospital bed. The best thing I did in the hospital was take a 20 minute walk every 2-3 hours. It really helps to keep moving, and spy on the rest of the exciting happenings on your hospital floor!

[1Day1Life4Now 882]

I didn't go home till 72 hours later. I don't think I could have handled it any sooner. I was in pain and sick at my stomach plus I had the headache from hell from the anesthesia. I hope you have the option of staying longer should you need it. It's all and individual thing so you can't tell how long you need till the surgery actually happens. Good luck.

[skinnyginny 128]

Hi There -- I had my sleeve done outpatient. I was in by 1pm and home by 7pm that same day. When it was time to go I got up, dressed myself and walked to the car. I had no issues at all and no pain. I had an appointment to go back in the next morning for intravenous hydration. That took about an hour. It was a little uncomfortable sleeping at night for the first few days, not because of pain, but because I couldn't sleep on my side (I'm a side sleeper). I was off all pain meds about 3 days after surgery. My surgeon told me before I got sleeved that the surgery is the easy part. I thought he was crazy at the time but go figure, he knew what he was talking about. I have to say the hardest part was getting the Protein down. I tried all kinds of Protein drinks until I found one that I could get down without gagging. Getting enough Water down was also a challenge... and still is, but I'm working on it.

All in all, it was the best decision I've ever made. My surgery was over a year ago and I couldn't be happier!

You will do great!

Edited April 15, 2014 by skinnyginny

[Gettinsmall 18]

Hello,

I didn't have outpatient surgery, but I would have been happy to go home at 36 hours, but not before. I stayed for 48. I was still asking for extra "boosts" of IV pain meds during my 2nd day inpatient. I'm just curious - are you able to stay longer if you feel the need? I definitely wasn't in constant pain or anything, but the nausea was bothersome and my back hurt from lying in that confounded hospital bed. The best thing I did in the hospital was take a 20 minute walk every 2-3 hours. It really helps to keep moving, and spy on the rest of the exciting happenings on your hospital floor!

I can't speak to the specifics of much as I am just getting started in this whole thing. But as far as outpatient or not a 23 hour stay from admission is considered observation usually. As far as staying longer goes typically when your docs feel you can go home and writes the order you have to go or risk paying the bill for that extra day on your own. Only thing you could do is hopefully convince your doc to keep you an extra day. I am an RN So I am speaking only to as things normally go in the hospital. Your situation may be different.

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

I spent 24 hours in the hospital and did not feel like I even had the sleeve surgery. Got home and only needed 1 dose of pain medicine. Felt absolutely wonderful. You will do fine outpatient!

[michelle_e2006 33]

I had outpatient surgery at a surgical center on March 25th. I went in at 7:30 am for a 9:30 OR time. When I woke up from surgery they tried to get me up and walking almost immediately, with assistance of course because I was still loopy from the anesthesia. As far as pain was concerned I had a little bit of discomfort but truly no pain. The anesthesiologist told me in pre-op that they would put two blocks (injections with a pain killer of sorts) in my belly so that I would have minimal pain for a couple of days. Once I was able to drink Water from a cup and go to the bathroom they sent me home. First night was so/so because of nausea but they gave me meds for that and Percocet for pain. The rest is history. I'm 3 weeks post op and 30lbs down. Good Luck!

[LGW80 1]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I'll post an update after orientation next week, as I'm sure that's when they'll explain the entire outpatient process.