I know every doctor is different, but surely there are some things that are similar with the surgery. I get to choose inpatient or outpatient and if all goes well could be out of the hospital in four hours. I notice others posting they stay for 1-2 days. Going home after major surgery makes me quite nervous. Also, some doctors use drains and others don't. How important are drains? My doctor suggests 1 protein drink for breakfast and 1 for lunch then protein and veggies for dinner for preop including the day before surgery. Why all of the variables?

Thanks

Karen

Every surgeon is different......just personal preference I guess. My surgeon told me that even him and his partner have two sets of rules. My surgeon's partner puts everyone on a strict protein shake only diet for 2 weeks before surgery. Mine just says do low carb for two weeks before surgery except the day before and that day, clear liquids only. I will be in the hospital one day and have a drain and pain pump.

It is kinda weird that there are so many variables. But like stated earlier it's the surgeon's choice. It's what's working for them.

In my case my surgeon had me on a two week liquid pre-op diet. I was in the hospital for one day and had a drain, but it was taken out before I left the hospital. I had two leak tests. One right after the surgery and one the next day.

I am glad I was in the hospital for at least one day becuz the nurses monitor your vitals every 2 to 4 hours and I felt if anything went wrong right after surgery what better place to be than at the hospital. As it was the nurses checking my vitals and drawing blood discover my potassuim levels were to high. They quickly got that under control.

Good luck...... YOU WILL LOVE YOUR SLEEVE. Best thing I could have done for and to myself.

Deb

My bariatric doctor and surgeon have no pre-op diet, move you to food (anything but raw fruit and veg) including coffee three days post-op, and keep you in hospital a minimum of five days.

I've never seen anything that varied as much as pre-op and post-op rules for various surgical practices around the world. I think it matters what you do inasmuch as you follow your doctor/surgeon's practices to indicate your compliance and increase your likelihood of success.

All that said, I would NOT do this surgery as an outpatient. I couldn't even have gone home (10 mins from hospital) the first three days post-op if I'd wanted to. Urgh.

Good luck!!

I've seen SO many different approaches to this. My surgeon didn't tell me I had to lose anything (even though my BMI is 59.9 and I am trying anyway) and he only makes his patients do full liquids (and no NSaids) 48 hours before. He does use a drain which you have to go in and have removed in his office the next week and I'll have progressed to normal food by a month out. He doesn't automatically prescribe a PPI either - he says he wants us to be aware if we're eating too fast or the wrong things. I want all the info I can get so I love reading everyone else's stuff here but I know that I also need to follow my surgeon's protocols because he will literally be holding my life in his hands at some point. I disagree with some of his stuff but I can't argue with his success rate so I'll do as he says - but this forum gives me other alternatives to suggest if necessary. I love that!

I agree on all the discussion about pre and post-op diets.

Where I am different is the in/out patient issue. I was outpatient and did great. It was nice to sleep in a real bed instead of a hospital where I would be constantly woken up by a nurse to check my vitals. If I am alseep, let me be asleep!!!!

All that said, I would NOT do this surgery as an outpatient. I couldn't even have gone home (10 mins from hospital) the first three days post-op if I'd wanted to. Urgh.

Good luck!!

God no! There's no way I could've walked out of there that night I was SO doped up. I really needed that over night stay. I didn't get released until about 5pm the next day but it took so long for paperwork, I wasn't released til close to 9/10. That extra time was so helpful.

My surgery got bumped from insurance/Dr mess-ups, I now am waiting 2 more weeks. I'd expect to spend one night, then they can check on you if things go wrong, etc, but i'd rather not stay 2 nights. My Dr. recommends one night.

You can always speak up for yourself and insist to stay longer and be monitored more,etc. You know yourself best! Good luck!