Length of Hospital Stay?

Aquameliza · March 27, 2008

Hello All-

Well, I am on my way to becoming a real bandster too - I got my insurance approval (see previous post- Harvard Pilgrim ROCKS!) and now my surgery date- May 13th, 2008! :thumbup:

My surgery nurse (who is soooo nice) said that I was approved for a 3 day hospital stay. I understood that lap band surgery only required an overnight stay, but she said that she puts in for as many days stay as possible (3 for lap and 4 for bypass) and if the insurance approves it, then you can use it. I must admit that an extra day in the hospital sounds great- but 3 days sounds excessive.

So, the question for all is - How many days (nights) did you stay in the hospital? How many days do you think you SHOULD have stayed in the hospital? How many days would you have LIKED to have stayed in the hospital?

losingjusme · March 27, 2008

i was fine as outpatient. i had DH with me in case i had any issues.

i pretty much slept 18+ hours a day until Wednesday (had surgery on Monday)

VIRGO_GIRL824 · March 27, 2008

Haven't been banded yet, but my understanding is it's is a 24 hour hospital stay. Although I'd probably be ready to go home the next day (because I hate hospitals), I'd probably like to stay an extra day, just because if any complications arose, I'd rather be in the hospital than at home.

Officeslave · March 27, 2008

I stayed one night. I think that was probably enough for me, but I was was complication free. I think 2 nights would have felt really long. If you don't have anyone to be with you when you come home for a day or so, you might want to consider staying the extra day.

Good luck!

HarleyGirl · March 27, 2008

I stayed six hours.....really, I can't imagine staying three days.....

I'm sure I got better rest at home than I would have at the hospital.

VegasGrace · March 27, 2008

Lapband is an outpatient procedure. So any stay isn't protocol...but having your doctor go to bat for you to get a stay...wow.

You have a great doc!

I stayed for 2 days....slept most of the time. Was nice to have a little break from laundry and cooking.

foxboro jim · March 28, 2008

Good luck!!

I was really happy to go home after the first night. first, I'm a home person and don't like staying in hospitals (too many weird germs there like MRSA and C. dif). Second, I had an annoying roommate who stayed up all night flipping the lights and TV on and off ( I think he had had a mild stroke). Even with a better roommate, one night would have been enough for me.

The only thing about coming home right away was that my wife had to take time off from work (she teaches) for that first day home. I felt bad about that because she is devoted to her classroom.