Question:
Is it normal to have ICU time after a LAP RNY?

Or does this only happen when complications have occurred?    — Lisa J. (posted on March 20, 2002)

March 20, 2002
GENERALLY only if there are complications. Although some may spend some planned obvservation time in ICU. Bad heart, lung, or other pre op problems can lead to your surgeon planning on keeping you in ICU. Dont complain the care is great although they may not be used to responsive aware patients. Most are drugged and not conversational. Why are you worried about this?
   — bob-haller

March 20, 2002
My father was kept in ICU for a couple days just for observation (he is 58, with every co-morbid there is), and was transferred to the regular floor by day 3. I wish they had kept him in ICU- the care was SO much better. When I had my operation, I was put on the regular floor imediately- which included a noisy roommate and sparce nurses. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I didn't have complications warrenting ICU, but the personal attention and single room would have been nice. If this is your surgeon's policy, go with it- he knows the hospital procedures best. Good Luck to you! :)
   — Angela B.

March 20, 2002
My doctor put all of his patients in icu after surgery for at least 2 days for observation. I was lucky because I was able to stay and get discharged for icu on day 3 becausr the hospital didn't have any avaible beds. ICU is so much better because you get such better care it more of a one to one then if you go to regular floors then the nurses have at least 10-12 patients each.
   — Bonnie S.

March 20, 2002
I know you'll LOVE my answer. It depends. As you can see by other posts, some docs put all their patients in ICU immediately post-op, some almost never do, some do only under certain circumstances. I think the one thing I've noticed is that most people think it's a good thing, only because you are likely to have better care there. Also, I don't want that to imply anything about nurses. The reason that the care is better is because there are more nurses per patient than on the regular floors.
   — garw