Post op care and follow up - so much to consider

Good morning all.  I have chosen a surgeon to perform my VSG.  I live in Tennessee and I plan to use Dr Umbach in Las Vegas.  I have been a nurse for 12 years and that makes my brain work overtime with questions.

I wanted to see if anyone would like to share their experience post-op when using a physician that discharges to a hotel for recovery.  I will have the surgery on a Friday and remain in the surgery center for 4-5 hours post-op and the spend the weekend in a hotel.  I am curious about the amount of pain experienced.  I am also wondering about risk of blot clot risk post op and flying so soon after surgery?  Thanks!

Hoping to schedule for the first of August....... WOOT!

I live in Atlanta and went to Mexico.  I stayed the first night in the hospital and then was sent to a hotel.  Not the first problem!  In fact, I was so bored I could hardly stand it -- walked the halls in the hotel constantly!  Flew back home with absolutely no discomfort or problem, walked the airports with no difficulty.  There was no pain, just the slightest discomfort for two or three days from the hiatal hernia the surgeon fixed while he was in there.  On the plane, I "went to the bathroom" several times, just to stretch my legs :-)  In my experience, you should have no problem ... and gazillions of us here flew somewhere for surgery.  I've never heard of a problem.  Best wishes!
--Dorothy

Umbach?  PLEASE do some in-depth research.  I'm not going to promote any particular surgeon, because there are several really talented ones... but I wouldn't list Mr. Umbach among that group.

I felt like I had?  Nevada medical board has no issues and the overall rating on all obesity forums has been good.  Do you have specific information that you would like to share?

http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/adwinters12345/

I don't know about the surgeon; but I live about two hours from my surgeon, and he insisted that I stay local for two days post op, after discharge. I had my sleeve on Monday, late in the afternoon. I stayed inpatient Monday and Tuesday nights, was d/c on Wednesday. Stayed Wed and Thurs. at a mini suite hotel that had a microwave, mini fridge and sm. sitting rm. I brought with me a "box" of chicken and beef broth, tea bags, protein drink, a couple of kinds of juice (small) to mix with water, and jello cups. Along with paper cups, and spoons. I brought a few good magazines, and a book or two. I throughly enjoyed myself. I took short walks, curled up and read, napped, sipped, emptied my jp drain; and took my pain meds. I saw my surgeon for a check and drain removal on Friday and then had someone drive me home.

I would tell your surgeon about your travel plans, maybe he/she will want to d/c you on heprin injections.

By planning well ahead, I had a really relaxing and stress free immediate post-op experience.

My pain was at most a 3 on the 10 scale and was gone after two days. Check with your doc but I do not see any problem with flying. At least there would not have been for me. Good luck and let me know if I can help.

I also live in TN may I ask why you are going so far away to do your surgery?