Hi all,

I have a question. There's a Doctor here in my town (Dr. Fox Richland Wa.) He does the Lap Band out f a Surgery Center. I am told he does not yet have hospital privleges. Prpblem is Im affraid of a Surgery Center.

I have never been under anastsia. Im affraid. I have seen these stories in the news of people dieing in these places. If something does go wrong I think I would be better off if I were in a Hospital.

What do you think? Where was your done?

Thanks, Dreamer

I would personally rather have surgery in a hospital. Surgery centers are supposed to be cleaner, though, with less risk of infection. Still, I think I would prefer to be operated on in a hospital, where I know that there are lots of people with different expertises on call if there should be an emergency.

Dreamer,

My wife was banded at that center this past Thursday. They did 2 others that day and all went well. My wife is still a little sore today, but much better than yesterday. The people there were great!

I had mine done at Auburn because I had a problem getting intubated (getting the tube down my throat). Unless you have a special problem, like I did, I wouldn't hesitate to use that facility.

If you wish to PM me, it's OK.

Bruce

Dreamer,

That is a really tough personal decision. I too had never been "put under", so I didn't know how things would go. I was in the surgery center of a good hospital, so that did ease my mind. I also spoke with a lot of people pre-op, some of them with good knowledge in the medical area. One reported that the technology used now in anesthesia is so much better and more exacting that they wouldn't hesitate to go under in either location.

My "day of" experience was pretty good actually.. I was sooo wanting to get the "versed" pushed I was almost begging for it.. However, just having a loved one with you and trying to distract yourself is enough to get you to the versed.. I used humor, I was joking with every person I interacted with. I don't think I was too bad, but I didn't care, humor was my drug.

Versed is only pushed in the IV by the anesthesia specialist who is the last person you see before heading into the surgery suite. Once they push that, you can forget about any worries in the world. Someone could tell you the IRS was auditing you and you would not care..

Complications are rare, however, we made sure to get the most experienced (# of bands installed) surgeon in Austin.

Best wishes for a smooth procedure.

Thanks for the replies. Bruce, I would love to talk to you guys. thanks. I will PM you.

Dreamer

Hey Dreamer--I had my surgery done in a surgery center, and it was a wonderful experience. No problems whatso-ever, and I think probably a lot easier than being admitted into a hospital. My doctor does all his lap-band surgeries this way.

Mine was done is a private surgery center. It was my choice,and I chose what would be a more individual almost one on one experience.

My surgery center was across the street from our hosp, it is used for same day surguries and there are NO sick people there, so IMHO less of a chance of me getting sick from somebody else who is there to treat a stomach virus etc.

My experience was almost dr. office style; and I needed this atmosphere to keep me calm. No loud speakers going over head calling dr. so and so to emergency room etc.

I had to spend the night and my nurse to patient ratio was 1 to 1 and that is their standard; I was not getting special treatment.

I had my surgery in a surgery center. It was just like a hospital. All the same people were there that would have been at the hospital.

I am having mine done in the same surgery center as Pam tomorow. My wife had surgery in the hospital a few weeks ago and I am very glad to be having it done where I am, if for no other reason than the comfort of my wife and Mom who will be waiting for me. Waiting in the Hospital for my wife sucked!! The waiting rooms in the SC are great!!

I would not hesitate using mine, but if you are ask to be shown around. They should show you the facility and you can see how it is for yourself

Chris

My doc helped me with this decision by recommending a hospital if you have serious co-morbidities such as diabetes, heart disease, etc. In other words, the 'sicker' you are the more you need to be in a hospital.

HTH

Hi all,

I have a question. There's a Doctor here in my town (Dr. Fox Richland Wa.) He does the Lap Band out f a Surgery Center. I am told he does not yet have hospital privleges. Prpblem is Im affraid of a Surgery Center.

I have never been under anastsia. Im affraid. I have seen these stories in the news of people dieing in these places. If something does go wrong I think I would be better off if I were in a Hospital.

What do you think? Where was your done?

Thanks, Dreamer

Hi Dreamer,

The first question I would ask in why does the doctor not have admitting privileges at the hospital. From what I have heard the surgery centers are a great alternative, but I would be sure that I knew that there were no problems with him not being able to get admitting priviledges at the hospital. There may be a very legitimate reason, and you may know it, but thought I should mention that it could be a concern.

I had mine done at a surgery center. They were very efficient since they only do day surgeries. The waiting areas were clean and comfy for my DH and everyone was very nice. The reason I ended up there instead of a hospital was that I had to self-pay and the hospitals charge more to use their turf. (so you can help pay for all the folks who don't pay their own bills...)