Why would someone have to spend the night after lap band surgery? I know it's almost always out-patient, but what are some of the reasons you'd have to spend the night?

Sometimes patients have extreme nausea. That can trigger vomiting which will cause the stomach to swell. Some people (myself) will develop lots of stomach swelling anyways just from the band squeezing the stomach. Much like a blister from a new pair of tight shoes. Those who travel great distances, or out of the country typically stay as well. You need to be sure nothing develops as it's not as conveniet or quick to travel back to the surgeon. In addition, the additional atmospheric pressure of traveling via air creates tightening of the band, which needs to be avoided initially.

My doctor routinely has patients stay overnight. Although it is done laparascopically, it is surgery. There are 5 incisions, one larger for the port. General anesthesia, 5 puncture holes through the abdominal wall & muscle, trapped air in the abdominal cavity from the carbon dioxide used to inflate the abdomen, post op nausea or vomiting, or significant pain. It's just necessary sometimes with varying circumstances.

Edited September 16, 200817 yr by IM_LORI
mispelling

There are many reasons that a lap-band patient would have to spend the night: intractable pain and nausea, inability to urinate or unstable vital signs are the most common. Some doctors just mandate an overnight after surgery.

My doctor required a "swallow study" the day after surgery, so I decided to stay over to avoid the drive back to the hospital. That also happened to be the night we got bad weather due to Hurricane Edouard, so I was happy to not have to travel in that. Plus, it was nice to be waited on hand and foot, to have IV pain meds and an adjustable bed.

Some doctors want their patients with sleep apnea to stay the night. I stayed because I had a hernia repair done at the same time (and the insurance would pay for it!!!)

My doctor does all of his bands as a 23 hour outpatient overnight. He does a swallowing eval early the next AM and wants to make sure you can tolerate clear liquids/pain control before dismissal.

It's standard for my surgeon's patients. All of their lapband patients stay overnight. I was given anticoagulants to ward off blood clots and also had to wear the leg pumps. Between the leg pumps and the nurses coming in to check my vital signs, I didn't get much sleep. I also had a pain PCA, which I used only once to help me sleep, not for pain.

I didn't have to do a swallow study.

I was banded on 9/15 and was released today around 12 noon. My procedure was fantastic, however some doctors are more "conservative" than others. I was literally walking in 10-20 minute increments 6 hours after my surgery.

My Dr required me to spend the night because my BMI was over 50. I'm glad I did since my Blood Sugar dropped to 42 in the middle of the night and I didn't even notice!

I was banded on 9/11 and had to stay the night because it took me nearly 4 hours to wake up in recovery. My blood sugar also dropped during the night without me knowing. I was in a lot of pain from the gas and could not stay awake enough to walk because they gave me morphin. Then, next morning after I had walked a bit, they let me go home.

Most all my doc's patients (I was a rare exception) stay overnight. We all recover at different rates, and those first 24 hours are critical to make sure we can remain hydrated, don't develop nausea, are compliant about walking etc. It's generally a safety precaution.

My insurance requires it.