Hospital Experience

[Deneshia Larkins 10]

My surgery is in 10 days and just wondering how the hospital experience went for those of you that have had your surgery. How long did you stay? pain level? energy level? what were you able to do physically vs. what did nurses have to help you with? Did you have someone stay overnight with you or were you alone? What items were helpful to bring? Were you able to wear your own clothing or did you have to keep on the hospital gown? Any information anyone would like to share would be much appreciated!

[scotter 3]

I had my sleeve done Nov 5th. I was only in the hospital overnight. My husband stayed all night with me but honestly all I did was sleep so he could have stayed home lol. For me the pain the first night was about a 7 out of ten but the next morning my doctor took out my drain and my pain level dropped to a 2! I was able to do everything for myself from the minute I woke up, they had me walking the hall two hours after I woke up. I had to keep on the hospital gown while I was there because the nurse needed access to my drain but I know not all surgeons use them. I would bring your own socks and your favorite pair of underwear. As far as energy for the first two weeks I was tired all the time, I could sleep for 11 hours and still be tired all day but I have been told that is really common. Good luck on your surgery I hope this helps!

[shriner37 249]

@@Deneshia Larkins I posted my experience some time back. Here is a link. Everyone's surgery experience is somewhat different. I wore loose fitting clothes (sweats) to the hospital and was able to wear them home comfortably. They had me in a gown for the entire stay, due to the items connected to me. The most important thing to remember to bring was my cell phone charger.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/356710-my-surgery-experience/

[Kindle 8,667]

How long did you stay? Surgery at 3pm discharged at 9am next day

pain level? Almost none. Minor discomfort, never took any pain Meds

energy level? Tired but not bad. Watched TV all night (I can never sleep after anesthesia). Went shopping and walked 2 miles the next day before taking an afternoon nap

what were you able to do physically vs. what did nurses have to help you with? The volume didn't work on my TV remote so the nurse had to change it manually. She also brought me Water to sip. That's about it. Abdominal muscles were fatigued, but not so much I couldn't get up and around on my own. Walked the halls a bunch with the other gals that had surgery that day.

Did you have someone stay overnight with you or were you alone? I was alone. Facetimed with my sister who was back at the hotel.

What items were helpful to bring? iPad, phone, Chargers

Were you able to wear your own clothing or did you have to keep on the hospital gown? Arrived in sweats, t shirt and crocs. Wore hospital gown while there and left in same clothes I came in.

[The Candidate 3,215]

I had surgery at 12:00 noon on a Wednesday, and was released on Saturday noon. My surgeon requires the same amount of hospital stay for all his patients.

I remember nothing of recovery. My first memory is being transferred to my bed while still being sort of out of it. I remember saying my back hurt, but it wasn't intolerable and the nurse immediately showed me how to operate the pain pump. I had the pump for my stay, and initially I thought I could only press it once an hour, so I let the pain get ahead of me the first night. But then I realized I could actually press it every 15 minutes. I never had any real pain after that.

Energy level was good. I was up and walking the first night.

I only ever needed the nurses to help or show me something once, and every time after that I did it on my own. Like how to unplug the IV pole, or the leg massagers. I was even turning off my own IV alarms when they got tangled and such. I was a very self sufficient patient.

I didn't have anyone stay with me as there was really no need, and the hospital was an hour drive away.

My iPhone and a comfy pillow were my most used items. My charger cord wasn't long enough to reach so I wish I brought a longer one. Honestly most of the time I spent walking and sleeping when I could, because the noise and interruptions were non stop. I was right next to the nurses station so there was a lot of activity. And there always someone coming in to check on you or take vitals, etc. it's hard to rest in a hospital so I tried to keep busy.

I wore the hospital gown and pajama bottoms most of the time, and my robe over that when I went walking.

Edited December 25, 2015 by The Post Op

[LadyIkyba 11]

Started my liquid diet a couple of days ago, it's harder than I thought. But We CAN DO THIS, because the finish line is close at hand and I wanna walk this one like a champ.????????

[Deneshia Larkins 10]

Thanks everyone! Im feeling great so far today

[aaonthego 24]

My surgery was at 10:30am and I was discharged around 4pm the same day. Energy level was very low after surgery, but I wasn't in any pain per se. I was able to walk short distances inside the recovery area and to the bathroom to potty (using it alone) within an hour or so after surgery. When I was discharged, I did have my sister and a friend stay with me the first night ( my surgeon required that I not be alone the first night). Since I was an outpatient, I didn't really need anything besides my loose fitting clothes. I was in a hospital gown while as soon as I arrived and had it on until right before being discharged. Good luck!

[WalkOnWaking 139]

I altered a comfy tshirt to wear at the hospital (snaps along under the arm and along the side seams). This allowed me to wear my own top and not that hospital gown incase I had to have an IV (didn't have IV fluids, only 'ports' left in to administer meds). Then my own undergarments and comfy sweat pants. Brought my own robe but never needed it.

For me, I loved wearing my own clothing. Felt more 'me' and less 'patient' while there, more in control.

My hubby was with me, as the room had a couch he could sleep on. But as others said, he didn't need to be there. I was in the room about 430pm and was walking by 530. No one helped me, but hubby was afraid I would fall so walked with me. I was able to change out of the gown and into my own clothes, able to use the restroom myself, etc.

Energy level was low. I was mentally ready to go but had no stamina. I wanted to walk a lap around the floor but couldn't. I mentioned this to the nurse and she put out chairs every 5 rooms in the hall. I plopped in one if I wanted to rest, then off to walk again. Was a great idea she had, and several of us used the 'breaks' to keep on walking.

I was in a lot of pain the first 24 hours. Maybe 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. But after that, maybe a 2. More 'uncomfortable' than pain.