How many days post op in hospital?

[stwilliams1]

What do you do? The max I can be off work is 1 week

[Kelli D]

My surgery is on Friday and I am a selfpay. The total charges include 2.5 days in the hospital and I will use them!! Good luck to you!!

[silvertaurus]

5 days the first time. Home two days. Back in the hospital 5 more days. Planned on 2 weeks off work. Ended up 3 weeks off completely, followed by nearly 4 weeks of part time work. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have a ton of sick leave saved up.

I recommend that everyone have a back up plan of how they will manage if they have complications. My stomach swelled shut, and I had to be placed on TPN through a PICC line for five weeks before I could finally eat and drink enough on my own. I'm thankful for how it all worked out eventually, as my doctor wasnt completely sure what the problem was, and I was told that I might end up needed a complete gastrectomy (where the entire stomach is removed and the intestine is attached directly to the esophagus).

I'm happy now and things are looking better, but I would encourage everyone to really consider what it means to have a surgery that is truly irreversible. Losing your digestive system can completely change your quality of life. For me, as a BMI of 40, I regretted taking that chance and assuming I wouldn't be one of the very few complication cases. However, once I was in that situation, I realized quite quickly that I had selected the only surgery option that was 100 percent unable to be fixed if the little stomach you have left stops working for some reason and can't be fixed (DS folks usually have a larger sleeve, greatly reducing complications relating to the sleeve). I'm not trying to be alarmist, but it is important to realize that the removal of the rest of the stomach isn't all that great. When I thought I'd lose my stomach, I was greatly wishing I had a "blind stomach" that could be used or reconnected.

Thankfully, now I'm doing well and can finally start losing weight regularly.

[Kathieh]

I went in Wednesday morning to a surgery center. The rule there is you have to be released within 24 hours of admittance (or they have to transfer you to a nearby hospital for more time.) I got there a little late, so was able to stay til 8AM Thursday. I think everything was pretty much under control by when I left - I could walk.. pee.. keep down protein shake. So one night is the norm here for uncomplicated patients. A few there the same day as me seemed to have a much rougher time and probably got transferred.

[melissalap]

I was in the hospital for less than 24 hours. But I would def recommend taking the whole week off work if you can. I thought I could have surgery on a Thursday and be back to work on Tues. No way. I was wayyyy too sick.

[Msjuls]

I only had to stay 1 night in the hospital. I have a 7 yr old, a 5 yr old, 2 dogs and a cat, AND a wonderful hubby who stayed with me in the hospital and tried to sleep on the horribly uncomfortable cot they brought him. I was personally glad to get home so I could rest. I mean, do they really have to wake me and weigh me at 4 a.m.??

[kiwimor]

I where at the hospital 2 days , but i must admit that 1 day more would have been great... I was very sick , and had a lot of pain... As i read peoples stories i see that it is VERY different from person to person... I was in severe pain the first 3 days, and others felt fine after surgery..

[RRT]

I was in the hospital 5 days. Complications. 4 units of blood. I was very sick. I just got home last night and took a hot shower went to bed. The pain was unbearable at times and to add to that I fainted on my first night (in hospital) and hit the floor. It will be 3 weeks before I even think of going back to work.
This morning I actually got 4 hrs of sleep because i'm home.
I really thought I was going to be one of the lucky ones with little pain. HA! Always plan for the worse. Always. This is major surgery. And complications happen.
This surgery ain't for sissies.

[dbarnes7]

I had my surgery on Wed morning, was released on Thursday morning, spent 2 days at hotel and then home on Saturday and back to work on Monday.
I had no complications and very little pain.

[HoneyAllen]

congrats to all for their successful sleeve surgery. After the surgery also we must take many precautions like dont go for swimming just after 1 -2 months of surgery, have a healthy diet not heavy diet, go for exercise regularly.

[sinlis]

I just had my surgery 4 days ago and I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. I brought chapstick, cell phone & charger (the nurse said that the charger is the #1 thing patients forget when they leave), magazine and book.

[stacyshuss]

I had surgery on Friday around noon and was home on the couch by noon Saturday.

[tbminter]

I had surgery on Monday morning and was released that Thursday afternoon. Millitary hospitals take extra precautions. I had not nausea or sick feeling and really no pain. The nurses had to force me to take the pain meds.

[CoComom]

I haven't had surgery yet but Dr. said 2 days unless problems.

[NTV TXN]

I was self pay and the price included 2 nights in the hospital. My surgery was the first of the morning, about 6 AM or so, on a Friday. I was discharged on Saturday about 5 o'clock. I was anxious to get to a king sized bed with no hall lights and noise! My first night home was not a problem, but if given the choice, I'd probably recommend staying the second night, what does it hurt, right??!!!