Lap Nissen: Average Hospital Stay? Return to Work?

I'm scheduled for my surgery in a week and a half, and I am still not sure how long to expect to be in the hospital. My surgeon's office said "a few days," and I've seen varied reports on here of everything from overnight to six nights or more.

I've planned to be out a full week from work, and attempt to work remotely the second week. I work in an office at a desk job, although it is somewhat stressful from a mental and logistical standpoint, it's not physically demanding in any way. I'm a 35 year old woman in fairly good physical shape, although I do have some other health issues. I can average 3-10 miles of walking/running a week, so I consider myself somewhat fit. I'm hoping I've planned appropriately!

What was your experience? How long did you stay in the hospital? How long before you returned to work?

Thanks!
Bri

Hi Brianala. I hope you will read my recent post of my GERD/Nissen Testimony to gain a complete view of a typical experience. However I will share with you the highlights here.

I had my surgery on April 15th of this year, so I am just over 3 months post-op. I am a 19 year old male.

I was in the hospital for one night. This is doable, but looking back I wished I would've stayed another night or two because the gas pain can be pretty bad. this is because they will inflate your abdomen with co2 during the procedure and they cannot deflate the abdomen 100%, hence "gas pain."

Besides the gas pain, you will probably get a morphine pump during your hospital stay to take the edge off the pain. Getting off of it was hard because my gas pain was really bad. I received percoset to take home to take the edge off the pain. But it did not work as well as the morphine pump.

Unless you have a serious complication, do not expect to stay more than 3-5 days in hospital. Older patients traditionally stay longer, but you are relatively young. typically though you will go home after 1-2 days.

I took only 1 week off from school, and looking back, I also wish I had taken more time off. Another 2 or 3 days at least if not another week. Your body will be adjusting to a very light diet and I did not feel Mentally prepared (or physically for that matter--I was very fatigued and had to stop in the hallways at school to catch my breath multiple times, and I am an athletic, active person) to return to school.

Working remotely from home when you go back to work is an excellent option. You can work at your own pace and from the comfort of a recliner or couch. You won't feel like walking the halls or doing this or that or worrying about getting x done at y time--believe me!

So I hope that gives you an idea on hospital stays and when you can get back to work. Again, please find my post of my full testimonial (should be able to find by clinking "wowsuchdrum" and looking at my post history, or find it near the top of the GERD forum.) to get a much more in depth look at recovery and procedures for the surgery. Good luck I wish you the best.

Please post when you are out of surgery to let us know how you are doing.