Did you stay the night or go home on day of surgery?

mandi78 · September 7, 2007

I am just wondering who stayed the night (or more than one night) at the hospital/surgery center where you had your surgery done? Mine is going to be outpatient and I will be sent home about 4 hours after surgery.

For those of you who stayed the night, did you feel that you really needed to stay the night or would you have felt more comfortable at home? And, those who went home the day of surgery, would you rather have stayed the night at the hospital? I'm a bit nervous about going home. We live 1 1/2 hours away so DH and I are seriously considering staying in a hotel near the surgery center the night before and the night after surgery...just in case.

Thanks for your input!

Lorsbander · September 7, 2007

I stayed the night. Thank God! I highly recommend it! I was very nauseous from the anesthesia. I absolutely could not have gone home the same day. The surgery went great, that really wasn't the issue. You never know how your body is gonna respond to being knocked out! I went home the next afternoon. I am doing great!

chemmrsn · September 7, 2007

Stay the night, I went home the same day, only for my kids sake because they are young and would be frightened if I stayed overnight and I wasnt home. I wish I did, I had so many questions and my body was going through so much. Stay the night.

gweniper · September 7, 2007

I went home and preferred it. I could have stayed the night but wanted out of there. having to call the nurse everytime I wanted up laying longer than i wanted because she was busy and I did not want to bother her. going home I could rest the way I wanted get up move. also I had a noisy room mate or I should say her visitors were noisy and not considerate. she was in for testin/surgery (not sure when it was scheduled but she was out wondering and I had surgery wanted rest and they were absolutely noisy and inconsiderate. I had a hard time hearing the dietitian aide when he came in because of it I even sent my husband and dd out of the room so I could hear better. didn't help as it was the others.

so imho going home was best for me. if it makes you feel better stay at the hotel near the hospital.

good luck in your journey

Mary-2b150 · September 7, 2007

I stayed the night, and was very thankful for it. I also had issues with naseau and felt a little more pain than I was expecting.. I liked having the pain meds in my IV, and I liked the feeling of having a security net in case something did go wrong or I was worried about something. The hospital I was in was excellent! I had a room all to myself (it was a big room too! Easy to walk around in the next morning to help relieve the gas), and the nurses were very helpful (except the nurse assistant - she was such a ditz, and kept forgetting to bring me my ice chips! My mouth was soooo dry... But no biggie)..

I liked having the hospital stay, but I don't think you'll have any problems not being there. The hotel idea sounds great actually, the less of a long drive you have to deal with right after the surgery the better.

juliegeraci · September 7, 2007

When I had my surgery last year I spent the night. Currently my doctor does 100% outpatient.

Cindy_D · September 7, 2007

I was home (2 hour drive) within 8 hours of leaving that morning - 45 minutes after waking up, I was dressed and on my way. A lot of how you feel is going to depend on the type of anaesthetics that are used to put you to sleep - all of mine were very short acting and included a potent anti-nausea medication. Woke up with little grogginess and home to bed. My husband had to stay with me the first 24 hours, but I was up and about later that evening and watched a bit of TV.

There are a lot of benefits to being at home - own bed, attentive help, NO BUGS (hospital acquired infections are just too prevalent, no matter how careful everyone is). I am still very surprised why this would be done in a hosptial for people who are relatively healthy. I can certainly understand for those with significant issues - but even sleep apnea can be managed at home if you have your equipment. I guess it depends on your physician's preference - but if a choice and you have home support - go home.

Cindy

lawanda jessica · September 8, 2007

I went home the same day

hf2havefun · September 8, 2007

I stayed one night. I had trouble with my oxygen levels staying above 90 because of a combination of anesthesia, my sleep apnea, and asthma. I also live an 1 1/2 hours from the hospital so my parents stayed in a hotel nearby that night. I didn't get much sleep, not used to all the noises. Also, my roommate wasn't feeling well after her surgery (lap-band also) she was nauseous and having back spasms. But even though I didn't get much sleep, I'd rather have stayed than gone home, especially because of my breathing complication. I got to leave after 12:30 the next afternoon.