DS Recovery Time

I'm 52 years old, live in Lubbock, TX, and am awaiting WLS  hopefully in the next 4 weeks. I'm having my surgery in Dallas, which is 6-7 hours from my home. I'm wondering: 

1. How many days should I stay in the hospital?

2. After hospital stay, should I get a hotel room and stay in Dallas area for a few more days?

3. How do I know if something is wrong when I get home? Leaks, etc

4. If I have surgery by Feb 28, 2013, will I feel like and be able to fly back to Dallas on March 24th for my granddaughter's baby dedication service and maybe stay 2-4 days with daughter? Also a 3 year old toddler in addition to newborn

Thanks, Y'all. Just trying to get my mind wrapped around as much as possible.

Susie

Congratulations on getting your date.  : )

1. I think every surgeon is different regarding your hospital stay. Mine let me leave the very next day. Most I see stay at least 2 full days.

2. It would be a good idea to stay close the first couple of weeks, especially since you live so far from the hospital.

3. Fever and pain are usually the tell tail signs of problems post-op.

4. You should be able to fly just fine. The 3 year old might be an issue if he/she likes to climb on you or wants you to pick her up and hold her. She could sit quietly on your lap when you're sitting though.

Good Luck! 

 

If no complications yes about going home.

As for children etc, take that easy and don't lift them up. Take it easy...

As far as complications: I will avoid that cause I had open not lap surgery and I had strange complications so I'm not the best to advise on that. As for surgery on 2/28 and return home on 3/24. You should be home way before that unless you have major complications.

Hotel stay after discharge: shouldn't be needed but can't hurt. I assume your PCP is in Lubbock. Have you found anyone in your home area that is familiar with DS?

My DS was open, so I was in the hospital for 4 days total.  My surgeon required all patients to stay within an hour of her office until she clears them on the 2 week check up.  Many other docs are very similar to keeping their patients local, for if any surgical complications are going to occur, they will likely show up by then.  For traveling, flying won't be a problem.  This timing is on the edge of where people feel listless to starting to feel better, so it's tough to predict how sociable you'll be feeling.  Sit on the couch so the toddler can crawl up and snuggle beside you, but by no means should you try to lift anything more than a gallon of milk for at least 8 weeks.  That means that you cannot lift the baby, either.  They can, however, place that little bundle into your lap so you can smell her little head.

I was in the hospital for 3 nights I think and I hated every minute of it.  I lived 3.5 hours from the hospital so my surgeon made me stay in the area until my one week check up when he cleared me to go home.  That was the last time I ever saw him.  I found absolutely no need to return because I had a hard but normal recovery, and knew what I needed to do from the vets on here.

~Becky

I would try to stay in the hosp as long as they'll let you, then stay in a hotel to finish up a week or two in Dallas. I would not have wanted to travel that first week at all.
Go to Priceline and try one of their express deals.

Thanks y'all. I sure appreciate your input. I am just trying to get all the opinions and experiences that I can from DS experts - and that is YOU. Your experiences and first hand knowledge is what I am looking for and value. I want to make sure and have my surgery at a time that is helpful to my daughter with the new baby since I live so far away and have to make my trips count. I know she wants me to come back 4-5 days in February and Then another 4-5 days in March to help out with the 3 yr old, new baby and house work. I'm afraid I really need to wait until after the March 24-28th stay to schedule my WLS surgery. I really had in my mind and heart to do it this month (Feb 2013) but am feeling like I might need to wait until end of March to schedule it so that I can do for my daughter and son-in-law what they need. Having a new baby with a toddler is not easy without some family help & support. I know I am just venting and need to make the decision myself, but I like to put my ideas out there for your input and separate ideas.

Thanks. Hope everyone is having a good Sunday afternoon.

Susie 

Hey Susie! I'm originally from Lubbock and am looking at having my DS in April in Nashville.