Question:
Has anyone had to remain in the town of the hospital for an extended time post-op?

My surgeon is requiring that I stay in the area post op. He says to plan on 4 weeks. Could be longer, possibly but not likely could be shorter as well. I firmly believe that the BPD/DS surgery is right for me and I am very confident that my surgeon is one of the best and while meeting his requirements is something I am willing to do, no matter what.....I am just wondering if anyone else has had to do this. He seems to be to be a very caring doctor and I really like that but isn't he being a bit over protective with this? I am not at any special health risk other than the normal BPD/DS precautions and while I can see a week, possibly even two, four seems like alot to me. Would love to hear from some post-op BPD/DS's to tell me where you were at four weeks post op.    — Bonnie K. (posted on April 30, 2000)

May 1, 2000
Dr. Gagner in NYC did my Lap DS. He required me to stay in town for 2 days following release from Mt. Sinai. Dr. Anthone, who does the DS open, requires his patients to remain in L.A. for about a week. I think Dr. Welker in Oregon has similar requirements, about a week. A month seems overly long. Since you have to travel anyway, you might want to check with some other DS surgeons around the country. You can find the most up-to-date list of them at www.duodenalswitch.com.
   — Duffy H.

May 1, 2000
A month post op to stay in a strange town after surgery is just too long, I don't care who your doctor is!!! I traveled from Florida to New York City for my surgery, only reason I chose to do that is because I have 3 sisters who would be nearby, otherwise I personally would never have gone so far with little or no support) I was very, very anxious to go home by 2 weeks post op, wound up staying 3 weeks post op and thought I would fly the airplane myself if that is what it would take to get back home!!! A month is ridiculous, you are having surgery, true, but what, pray tell are you going to do for a month in a strange town, an ever increasing hotel bill, food bills, long distance phone charges, taxi and transportation bills, and just plain boredom? Not to mention laundry, personal shopping, a bed or chair of your own. You will be much more comfortable at home and you are not the only person who has traveled for medical care, please, give me a break. Sorry, I believe in following the doctor's advice but this isn't advice, this is ludicrous. There is no justification for having someone stay around for a month. Geez, you could go home and come back to him a month later. When you do go home you will have access to medical care, and of course, your surgeon will be willing to keep in touch with your own doctor at home, won't he? People are back to work in a month, working out 5 days a week at the gym at one month (wink*), and practically totally recovered by then. Think about it, yes you want the surgery but do you really want to be that financially burdened? Short term many people say they are willing to do anything to have this operation but when we are realistic, short sightedness came be very painful in the long haul. Even 2 weeks post op to hang around is too long I think. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for these types of surgery and skill needed to perform them, but you know, it's not like the most complicated, experimentally invasive, body altering, traumatic operation!!! I guess I do not think doctors are gods to be followed blindly, and just because this surgeon is someone who has finally told you that he can help you lose weight does not mean he is to be worshiped-all of our other doctors told us how we could lose weight and be healthy, but I didn't follow everything they told me to do. Bottom line is to ask what makes sense here, ask questions, and read other people's experiences (by one month post op, most are in very good shape) Sorry this is so long but I feel strongly about this issue!!!! And I certainly don't mean to offend you or anyone else, just giving MY opinion!!! "smile"
   — Fran B.

May 2, 2000
I had my BPD surgery done by Dr. Stanley Klein in Torrance, CA. I am from NV and stayed in the LA area for 5 days after being released from the hospital. My doctor here in NV follows me and communicates with Dr. Klein. This has worked out well for me.
   — Debbie D.

May 2, 2000
Hi Bonnie... Maybe Dr Maguire is being cautious. I agree with the rest of the folks that 1 month is far too much. I was home after 1 week. I flew from Germany to Spain to have my open BPD/DS. My doctor provided me with all my blood results, my OP report and lots of graphics to give to my PCP to show her what he did to me. He also sent a list of blood tests that should be done and how often they should be done. I had a PCP in Germany and one in TX. Both were very supportive and Dr. Baltasar (my surgeon) is always available to them to make sure I have the proper care. In addition, he emails me quite frequently to check on how I am feeling, physically as well as emotionally.
   — Kris S.

May 23, 2001
I will be having my surgery in August and will also be out of town. The dr. told me to plan on staying in town for about 5 days after I am released from the hospital. 4 weeks seems like a long time to me.
   — blank first name B.