Question:
How long?

I have a son who is going to have Lap Band surgery on Tuesday. I was curious to know if they keep them overnight or is it a same-day surgery?    — looking_better (posted on September 7, 2008)

September 7, 2008
Well, I did not have lap band, but I am assuming it is at least a one night stay...
   — ALafferty

September 7, 2008
The docs would have told him well in advance. Soem do day surgery, but most stay povernight so they make sure they are walking and passing liquids again.
   — William (Bill) wmil

September 7, 2008
All surgeons are different. I know some who let you out in a couple of hours. I think that's too soon. I prefer what my surgeon did: it was a 23-hour stay (out-patient). I had it at 8 a.m., left at 7 a.m. the next day. This way the nurses get the chance to observe you and see if you're having problems. The best nurses in the world (sorry, I just had to put it down, they may not have had weight problems or wls surgery, but they were great to be around, always positive, not grouchy), gave me little 1-2oz cups of water and made sure I could handle it. They made me get up out of bed and walk the hallway, to get my legs back. They also wanted to make sure there were no complications. I was sent home with some instructions; and pain meds if needed (I didn't, but took them just in case). The 23-hour stay was just enough. I was ready to go home and start recouping. But as I said, all surgeons are different.
   — jct001

September 7, 2008
I had my Lap Band surgery in the morning and I left the hospital the next afternoon. I think that is a safe way to go.
   — susangielda06

September 7, 2008
I went in at 7:30a.m and was home by 4:15p.m. They tracked me the whole time and when they were sure I was in a safe place, they let me go home. It was approved for a 23 hour hold if needed. I was up and walking and able to drink and have no problems. Been on the go ever since.
   — dyates2948

September 7, 2008
As the other posts said, it depends on the surgeon. I went in at 6 a.m., surgery at 7:30, and I was out of the hospital by noon. Because we live 3 hours away, they had us stay in town overnight in case there were any problems, and because you tend to just want to sleep afterwards. But the stressed getting up and walking around often, and because of the gas pains, you tend to want to do that, anyway. I felt great, and am still feeling great 6 months later. Best of luck to your son on his weight loss journey!
   — Val_T

September 8, 2008
I had my band placed at about 9am and was heading home by 2pm the same afternoon. I didn't have any complications. My nurse did call me later in the evening to make sure I was doing ok.
   — Tamjpjb

September 8, 2008
i had my lapband surgery in new jersey at st. barnabas hospital livingston. my doc kept me over night. it was really the best thing. the next morning you saw the nutritionist and metabolic dr for instruction and advice before going home. it was really the best hospital experience i ever had. he should stay if he is given the choice and is covered by insurance.
   — debra H.

September 13, 2008
With my surgeon, the length of time you spend in the hospital was based on several factors. Most people do go home the same day, however, if you have uncontrolled diabetes, sleep apnea or had any type of complications during surgery, you would spend one overnight in the hospital...which I did. Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

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