I am attending info sessions in my area and one in particular states that the doctor requires an overnight hospital stay due to safety (pain monitoring/sleep apnea after surgery, et). This made me nervous about all the other programs. Also this doctor uses more sutures to keep the band from slipping. All this sounds good. I am wondering if it is common or really necessary for an overnight hospital stay? This is not a make or break it deal for me, I guess I am just wondering how common it is overall. Doc sounds great but clinic doesnt offer some of the wonderful follow up care (yes program, but not as personable as the private clinics/programs). Doc has a great reputation though, as do the others in my area. Costs will all be about the same when all is said and done.

Tictac, I am scheduled for 8/31/09. I work on a medical team w/no less than 15 nurses and 3 MDs-they ALL have told me that the overnite is great b/c they can keep an eye on you. My surgeon requires this, when I starte this whole process 7 months ago, I was teriified of staying over nite b/c I have never had ANY kind of medical procedure. Now, I'm over it and and happy that I will have this extra time w/the medical staff(if I need it). Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to get the *&^ home to my own bed. In short-I totally understand your thoughts on this. Good luck and keep me posted...

I had an overnight stay and was so happy about it. PCA pump with Dilaudid = happiness. Plus, I have 2 young children. I was able to just sleep after my surgery without disturbances so that was nice.

I'm another one that was required to have an overnight stay. I'm glad I did, I felt that (as many have already said) if there were any problems early on, I was better off right there in the hospital (which is a 2 hour drive from home). Fortunately, no problems, but I also got to ask questions and get advice from the nursing staff, which was great.

I stayed overnight and It was the BEST thing I could have done. If your insurance covers it, do it for yourself. You are nice and propped up in a hospital bed, you have the IV to keep you hydrated and have better pain management. I didn't have any complications, but I felt better being in the hospital in case I did. Since I have small children, it was like a mini vacation!!

My surgeon keeps his patients two nights in the hospital.

I stayed overnight. When I mentioned to my doctor that I was reading about A LOT of people who did not have to stay overnight, he thought that was crazy!!!

My surgeon told me that he was going to keep me overnight (I live 2 hrs from the hospital on a dirt road!). Good thing he had planned on it, because he ended up keeping me 3 nights due to some complications.

I agree with others, if you can stay, do it!!!