Question:
Play-by-Play of time in hospital for RNY/LAP ??
can anyone give me a play-by-play of time in hospital, what happens when... for example, how many shots to expect... how long are you there before actual surgery, then once out of recovery... what happens? sleepy? gotta pee? shower?? — SillyRabbit (posted on March 28, 2008)
March 28, 2008
I don't think you can know what you're experience will be like compared to
someone elses because all hospitals/doctors are different re their
procedures. However I didn't get any shots....just the poke for 1 IV.
After that any blood draws or medications were taken/given through the iV.
I got to the surgery waiting room at about 5:30 AM and didn't get my
surgery 'til about 1:00. I was getting really anxious and they didn't give
me anything to relax me although I probably could have asked for something.
Once out of recovery I felt pretty good but sleepy. No pain though,
thanks to the morphine...although by the next day morphine was making me
feel ill. I was really hungry though since I handn't eaten for a long
time. Once you try to eat, however, you can't eat very much. But that's
the beauty of the surgery. It only takes a few bites (or sips at this
point) to fill you up. I took a shower the next day and walked the same
day of the surgery just a little. Two nights in the hopsital and then
home. Overall I felt very good but it IS a big adjustment and you do need
recovery time. Every day I felt better and better until now (about 2 1/2
months out) my new diet is just a way of life. I'm very happy with a 50+
weight loss too.
Good luck to you.
Chris
— cjjordan
March 28, 2008
Sounds like this may be your first surgical procedure in a hospital. Well
my RNY ws too. I went for a hospital check in a couple of days prior to
surgery. My surgery was at 6:30 and I arrived at 5 am. Waited in waiting
room until I was called.
Changed to hospital gown, asked to go the bathroom last time. Met
anesthesiologist, got an IV in my arm, and then rolled into surgery room
about 20-30 minutes later. Surgery was about 1 hr. 15 minutes from my LAP
RNY procedure. My surgeon is pretty quick at doing this now--he did 6 RNY's
this day, and has done about 3000 procedures to date. Revovery room was
45-60 minutes, then up to my room. You're sleepy for a few hours, and the
nurse helps you start walking before the end of the day. The sooner you
walk the better off you are. You have a catheter for the first day and
it's removed the second. Then you can use the bathroom. No showers in
hospital. I went in on Wed. morning, stayed Thursday, and came home Friday
at noon. I received shots for gas pain discomfort which kept me from
sleeping the second night. I still had some gas at home the first night,
but at least I could rest comfortably. Hope this gives you enough insight
on the procedure.
— Dave Chambers
March 28, 2008
I went in the hosp at 6.00 am. i was in surgery by 7.00. they put an Iv in
gave me a blood thinner shot in my stomachwhich didnt hurt at all. I had
lap rny. I was out of surgery by 10.00 am. I was in recovery until 6.00 pm
though. I was up and out of bed by midnight walking around . I had very
little pain after I was walking around. When I was in recover I had pain.
Not too bad but I remember it. I would have this surgery all over again
before I had a child. Thats how easy it was.
— Joanc
March 28, 2008
I had to be at the hospital at 6:00 am. My surgery was scheduled for 7:30.
They called me back. I got changed into a gown, had to have a prego test
(anyone under 50). They started an IV, put on the lovely stockings and gave
me a blood thinner shot in the leg. Then I met with my surgeon one last
time and the anestheiologist (sp?) I was then given two injections through
my IV to relax, but they had more of an amesia (sp?) affect. My surgeon
gives an epidural spinal for pain relief instead of morphine. I don't
remember anything after the last injection. Recovery was about an hour and
then off to my room. I was up walking in 4 hours and every two hours after
that. I was not in any pain and did not want to eat, I just was so thirsty.
I had surgery on Wednesday and went homw on Friday afternoon. I did not
shower at the hospital, but I did wash up in the bathroom when I went in
there to do my business. I also had to have a BM before leaving the
hospital. All in all I had a good experience with surgery. Just remember
that everyone and every surgeon differs in what happens. Good luck. Paula
— Paula K.
March 28, 2008
Everyone's experience will be different. I checking in at the hospital
around 5:30am. I went into surgery at 9am, out by 11am, in recovery about 2
hours, into the room, walking about 2 hours after I got into the room (had
to pee). The first time walking was a little shaky, because of the
anethesia, but it got increasingly easier. I had 2 or 3 shots of novenox (
a blood thinner to avoid clotting). I had an IV for the first day, then as
soon as they determined I was not getting nauseous, the took the IV out and
went to oral pain meds. I walked about 6 times each day, I felt better
each time I walked. They put compression pants on your legs, again to
avoid clotting. They do not hurt. I think I had blood drawn 4 times and
had to have one bag of iron.
As for sleeping, I personally think the nurses wait for you to nod off and
then come into check your vitals!
I got to shower the next day, and went home the third day.
Two nights total in the hospital.
On a separate note, here are a few things, besides the obvious, that I
suggest bringing. Chapstick, (my lips were bone dry from the anesthesia),
box of wipees, and a neck roll.
(it made it easier to sleep on my back).
Again, can't speak for anyone else, but my experience was far easier than I
expected, I had very little discomfort. Walking seemed to make all the
difference in feeling better, faster.
I had someone stay with me the first night because of all the IVs,
compression pants and unsteadiness in walking.
Good luck!
— Jeanne Aldrich
March 28, 2008
After surgery...I was rolled into my room. (About an hour later)..and met
by my family groggy and hooked to morphine drip (I had open RNY so it was a
little more painful than the lap) But still...had the same experiences as
you all...I stayed in bed most of the day, in compression pants and got
twice a day shots of blood thinners in the belly..They didn't hurt, but
left awful bruising that lasted for weeks! I also had to have my insulin
shots 3x daily, two days and never took them again after the second day! I
also woke with my period and that kinda creeped me out. They said that it
was very normal and happens a lot. I was up and 8 hours later taking an
assisted (by my mom) shower...Got into my own pjs and strutted down the
halls at midnight in my red robe! I visited everyone and stayed with those
who had no family to visit. When I got tired I'd go back to bed...or they'd
page me looking for me...One nurse came in one day and said, I've been
looking all over for you and I told her I was right here in my room...and
she said..."DUH, I didn't think to look for you here!" Despite
my charts saying I was allergic to latex...one nurse did a full exam on
mewith latex gloves on and gave me a terrrible reaction and I broke out in
blisters all over the place and a creeping red skin fever took over....They
came in gave me a shot in my IV and within an hour or two I was okay
again...But had to stay an extra day because of it...The nurses made a
giant pink neon sign and pasted it on my door that said ABSOLUTELY NO
LATEX!!! They even put the non-latex cart outside my door! I drank water
and a protein drink...They brought me cottage cheese and applesauce for
breakfast the next day...I had a protein broth for lunch and some pudding
with protein...I don't remember what else I got, but it was basically the
same. I took crushed pills in the apple sauce. I brought my own crystal
light powder to mix with water and protein. I didn't eat much at all...They
wouldn't let anyone leave until they passed gas...That's basically what I
remember. I had a great time in the hospital despite the latex incident.
Good luck on your surgery!
— .Anita R.
March 28, 2008
Hi. I just got out of surgery this ast Monday. Got in the hospital at
6am, by 7am the nurses had taken my blood for the bloodwork and did an EKG
on my heart. By 8:30ish, docs came in and said all looked good. Just
hurry up and wait. Was hungry at this point. Went into surgery around
10am, sugery started at 10:30am per the docs. I was finished with the Lap
RNY by 12:30pm. Was sent back to my room and advised to walk asap. Was
given only a mild pain killer. The doctors don't give morphine, they said.
During surgery, I had a blood clot shot in the arm (don't remember - was
unconcious). Received IV in my hospital room before surgery. So I only
received 3 shots total. Afterwards, I couldn't shower for a day. Was able
to pee right away. I was groggy at first but not for long at all. AND I
am still not hungry 4 days after the surgery.
— C P.
March 28, 2008
Ok, here's my blow-by-blow. Admitted to hospital 5:45 am on Weds 11/7/07.
Surgery started at 7:30 am, over by about 11:00 and in my room by 12:30. I
had a hard time waking up, was very nauseated. Up and walking by early
evening. No "pee-pee" worries because I had a Foley catheter
(they put it in after you go to sleep). Nothing by mouth at this point.
Next morning, down to Radiology for testing to be sure there are no leaks,
everything checked out good. Started on one ounce of water per hour. I
had Dilaudid for pain administered IV with a push button for me to push
when I needed it, but this was discontinued as this med made me nauseous.
Switched to demerol and torodol with good effect. Next morning I was given
a protein shake (hospital uses CIB, so I brought my own because I can't
stand CIB). I stayed in the hospital until Saturday Morning. Word to the
wise, DRINK YOUR WATER. Three days after I came home, I was back in the ER
because I was dehydrated from not drinking enough. I had Roxicet to take
for pain and Zofran to take for nausea. All in all, was not the hardest
surgery I've ever had. Hope this helps, but remember, everyone's
experience is different, and every doctor has a different plan. Ask your
doctor what his/hers is. Good Luck!!!
— Shirley D.
March 28, 2008
Yes all Doctors and hospitals have some differences. Here is what I see at
my Hospital. You arrive at 6:00 AM at the hospital and are taken to an out
patient room to change into a hospital bed-wear. My hospital had large
oversize ones, so we were very confortable in them. They getyou into bed
and on an IV. Depending on the time of day you are slatted for surgery,
you are held in that out patient room until about 1/2 hour before surgery.
I was very nervious, so they gave me something to relax in my IV and I was
out until I was in the room 6 hours later coming out of it. I was on an IV
and could give my self a shot of Pain medication, every 6 minutes. You are
asleep in less than 6 minutes, so I never did two in a row. They get you
up to start walking 4-6 hours after you are in your room, and if you gt up
on your own and walk 3-4 times a day they leave you to do it on you own.
The IV and the pain medication are on wheels so you drag the pole down the
hall with you. Everyone that had RNY and Lap Band the day I went in went
home the following afternoon, but I was there for 5 day. Old guy needed
more care I guess. I recently went to help a frind I met who was having
the same RNY and she was there for two days. Another freind of mine at a
different hospital had a LapBand and he went home the next evening after
surgery. Hope that helps. Would I do it all over again knowing I would be
there 1 day or 5 days, YES! Best thing I ever did for myself. Best of
Success to you,
Bill
— William (Bill) wmil
March 29, 2008
This is not a rule of thumb for everyone I can only give you my experience.
I went to the hospital the day of my surgery and after I don't really
remember the recovery room, but I did wake up about 5 hours after my
surgery and was in no pain because they had my hooked up to a pump that I
could push for my own meds. They also gave me a shot every 4 hours for
pain. I had a RNY and was only in the hospital for 3 days. I can speak
for anyone else that's how it was for me. I hope this helps.
Joni
— jonicorona
March 29, 2008
I probably had one of the best experiences anyone can have. (I also feel
that mental attitude is 95% of outcome.) I was at the hospital around 10
if I can remember correctly & my procedure around 1pm. It took a few
tries to get the IV in (I have deep small veins...not their fault.) If you
have historically bad veins they may consider a PICC line. Anyway, it
seemed like I was waiting around for a LOooooooong time...I think the
person who went before me just took longer than expected. They gave me
some versed to calm my nerves but I don't think it really did anything.
Surgery lasted maybe 2 hours. I was groggy, but I have had other surgeries
(colon cancer, eye surgeries) and this was EASY. (Lap RNY.) It's all
about the surgeon at that moment. I had torodol for pain if I remember
correctly, not morphine at that point. Wasn't really having pain. The
surgery was on Wed afternoon. By Thursday I was bored out of my mind and
walking around OUTSIDE the hospital. Friday I went home. Friday morning
is when the surgeon pulled out the Q ball (ball filled with pain /numbing
medicine directly to the surgery site.) and also pulled out the drain.
(The drain was left in by my surg for approx 48 hours to make sure there
was not a leak.) The pulling of the drain was defiinitely the worst part.
It didn't hurt, but it was the GROSSEST feeling ! Very strange!!! I was
not hungry and I thought I would NEVER get all those fluids in!!! That was
May 30 2007; my starting wt was approx 240. My weight this am was 136.
The whole time I felt like the weight was coming off so sloooooww.. but at
least it was coming off!!! I don't think my weight has been this normal
since I was 12. You will do GREAT. Getting up to the bathroom should be
easy if you are going laproscopic. I was able to shower once he pulled the
drain & q ball out, just no soaking in a tub until they healed closed.
THe hole the drain came out of took the longest time to heal. I would say
it was a VERY positive experience with an excellent surgeon (Tom
Sonnanstine.) I am still having issues with Humana, but that is what
Humana does . BEST WISHES!!!
— MAG
March 29, 2008
Hi, I was looking for a play by play before my surgery and never really
found one on this site, just a few paragraphs here and there. So after my
surgery (lap RNY) I wrote up a very detailed description of my whole
surgery experience (what I can remember) on my OH blog. If you go to my
blog and search back to early December (my surgery was 11/26/07 and I think
I wrote the blog a couple weeks afterward) you will find a very lengthy and
detailed description. It is exactly what I was looking for when I was
searching for other stories and experiences. Of course, everyone will have
a different experience, some better and some worse - but it is still
helpful I think to know what they are. Good luck!!!
— itzmetami
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