Dr Averbach Lap Band patients

Hello,
This is to any Dr A Lap band patients.
I know that each person and surgery is different, but I am trying to arrange day care and night care for my kids while I am in the hospital and was wondering how long was your stay.
My insurance covers an overnite stay and my surgery is at 10:45 this Thursday.
I was hoping to be home early afternoon Friday, given that everything goes OK.
Does this sound feasible or am I doing the wishful thinking thing again?????  LOL
I'm just trying to get a basic idea of what to tell my sitter.
Like I said, I realize that each person is different, just looking for a basic idea of time.
Thanks to anyone and everyone for your help.
Audra

The nursing staff at St. Agnes is not what I would call "efficient" and they are in no big hurry to move you out the door when you are released by the doctor.  Once the doctor releases you, it's up to the floor nurse(s) to get your prescriptions ready, your discharge papers ready, etc.  You might have better luck than most of us, but I wouldn't promise anyone anything until you are out the door.  I waited 45 minutes for the wheelchair (they will NOT let you leave the floor without it).  Good luck!

Hi Audra.

I was approved for an o/n stay as well. My surgery was a little earlier than yours.... I think 9:00 in the morning. I was released around 7:30 or 8:00 that same night. Guess it all depends on how you're doing.

Best of luck though!!

Katherine

Hi Audra,

I know you asked for responses from Dr. A's patients...but I thought I'd throw you my two cents if it's worth anything.

Lap band patients typically don't require an overnight stay.  My surgery was at 7:30 and I was discharged at 1:30 and oh so happy that I could be home in my own bed that night.  Lapband surgery is nothing like RNY. You'll be a little uncomfortable, but not in a lot of pain.  The worst for me was just waiting out the gas dissipation that caused discomfort in my upper left chest/shoulder.  If you feel pretty good and they want to discharge you before the overnight, you may want to consider going home to your own comfortable environment.

Best of luck with your surgery.  I'm excited for you.

Terri

Your mileage may vary... I don't know what RNY people go through cause this is the first time I've ever had surgery but the first 3 days (day of surgery and +2) were hellish. I wanted to cry except I knew it would hurt too much so I didn't. I think the amount of pain is really subjective. The good news about it, for me, is that it improved from there VERY quickly.

Dr. A tends to want people to stay the night if they are approved to but it does sound like he releases early morning surgeries later that night if they're walking and able to drink cause that was the case for me and others.

 I got to tell you, If you can not stay overnight, and get out the day of, I would try to...I didn't have lap-band and had to stay the 3 days 2 nights...The nursing staff is not efficient and honestly for me quite aggravating.  So if you are doing well, i would shoot for being discharged the same day if at all possible.
Just my opinion.

I did not have surgery with the same Dr. or hospital but there I am so glad I chose to stay overnight.  I do have the band and my surgery took twice as long as it normal takes due to some issues which meant twice as sore!  I didn't even want to go home the next day to be honest. 

I was in for 1.5 days and I had my surgery first thing in the morning.  I was in so much pain for the following two days, I lived off pain meds and slept. 

I realize I'm probably not the typical case here but just sharing my experience.  There is no way I could have gone home same day

Thank you everyone that posted.  I greatly appreciate your input.
I was warned ahead of time that the nurses in the bariatric unit are (lazy) to say the least.
My surgery is Thursday morning so I was just hoping that he would release me sometime in the morning on Friday so I can be home before my kids get off the bus .........does this sound reasonable???  Maybe????   LOL
One lady said her surgery was on a Thursday early morning and they kept her until 8:00 Friday night..........I really hope this doesn't happen.
Do they get real pissy if your hubby stays? and did everyone have a private room???
Thanks again to everyone.

not lapbanders here but we had surgery at SA.

hubby had a double room and no roommate.  I slept in the other bed at the insistence of the nurses.   they even brought me extra blankets so I wouldn't be cold...

OMG!! That is great Nessa.
You are the first person I have heard say ANYTHING good about St. Agnes.
I have never been there before so I really hope I have a nice experience and I want my hubby to enjoy the stay also.
He always tells me I am his queen, so I would hope they treat my King nicely!!!  LOL
Thanks for the input, I hope my stay is as nice as yours was.
Thanks again