Question:
How long do I need to be near the surgeon after Open RNY?

I live 125 miles away and want to know if I need to stay in a hotel for a week or so. Thank you...    — Christina J (posted on July 18, 2002)

July 18, 2002
I live 300 miles away from my surgeon. I went home the day I was released from the hospital. By the time you are released from the hospital you are ready to start recovering. The surgeon is not going to let you leave if they feel something is wrong. You do have to have someone else drive you home. For the drive home my surgeon recommended a pillow to put over my stomach when there was bumps in the road. It did help. You may want to stop and stretch every hour or so. But I don't think it is necessary to stay in a hotel to be near your surgeon. Good luck to you....
   — Christy B.

July 19, 2002
I had my surgery 3-5-01. Two months later, I moved 3,000 miles across the country. My hubby and I both quit our jobs, so we were uninsured for about 3 months while we got ourselves re-established. This was very scary. I lost contact with my surgeon and had nobody to call when I had some weird things occur (i.e. hernia, stoma closed off, etc.). Would I do that again? NEVER. Too risky. Stay close to your surgeon for at least 6 months following your surgery.
   — Terissa R.

July 19, 2002
My open RNY surgery was about 75 miles away and I was in the hospital for 3 days and went home. I thought the ride home would be rough, but it really wasn't. I just took a dose of codeine before I left! Its hard to tell though, so you might want to plan on 2 nights in a hotel. I wouldn't think a week would be necessary.
   — emilyfink

July 19, 2002
I think that it depends upon the surgeon. Heaven forbid something happens, but if you are close then the surgeon can fix it - rather than a ER doc who knows nothing about the surgery or you. I was able to leave town after my first post-op visit at one week.
   — Melanie R.

July 19, 2002
My surgeon told me during consult that he wouldn't let me leave the county...I live 200 miles away, until I had his ok...IOW, no complications, etc... There are usually hotels/motels close to hospitals that will give patients or patients families a discount so you may look into that if the need arises.
   — Laura J.