I've heard people say they had to stay 5 days, some say they did the surgery as an outpatient and went straight home... What's the average stay? What are the deciding factors that the docs look for before releasing you?

I was in for two days because my RBC was low. I was leaving after that second day no matter what. I felt fine and was bored to death. I don't do well with confinement.

48 hours for me. I had galdbladder out as well. I was only expecting 1 night but right before surgery the surgeon told the hubs and me that I would be in 2 nights. They decided this because studies are showing it is better for the patient if they are there longer. Barium swallow on second then released by 10am. I will admit that first night was REALLY rough and I would not have been ready that first morning anyway.

Overnight. I had my surgery at 0845 one morning and the next day my surgeon came and checked my incisions and I went home. I'm wondering what makes one surgeon's process so different from the other. I didnt get any jp drains, leak tests, barium swallows, or urinary catheters. I wonder what the determining factors are in such things. I'm not saying one way is better by any means, just different I suppose.

I've been wondering that myself. Other than the IV in my wrist, I had no tubes anywhere else. No drains, no catheter, etc. And I never had to do any barium swallow or other leak test. I was drinking Water, broth and Jell-O about seven hours after surgery and walking the halls every 2-3 hours.

I was in the hospital for 4 nights & 5 days. I was supposed to have gall bladder removal, hiatal hernia repair & vsg done at once, begnning w/ gall bladder. But during that surgery my surgeon got sick (?!?) so he closed me up after that & I had surgery again the next morning for hernia & vsg. Weird. I would have been released a day earlier but I couldn't pass gas....so embarrassing! They kept coming in "did you fart yet??!?". Sheesh!

I was in three nights. It was supposed to be two but I had a hard time getting anything down until late the second day. By the time I left I was a happy camper.

I've been wondering that myself. Other than the IV in my wrist, I had no tubes anywhere else. No drains, no catheter, etc. And I never had to do any barium swallow or other leak test. I was drinking Water, broth and Jell-O about seven hours after surgery and walking the halls every 2-3 hours.

Me too!! I did have a catheter, but no drain, swallows, leak tests, etc. Not sure why some do & some don't??

Btw, Emlefe - Love your new pic!! So pretty

I had surgery on tuesday, was at the recovery home on Wed and on a flight back home on Friday.

Thanks so much for all these informative replies! I guess it's a different experience for everyone. I'm hoping for an easy time, but trying to keep my expectations realistic. I figure if I expect recovery to be really awful, then I will be pleasantly surprised if it's not.