Ileocolectomy Hospital Stay Length

[slightlysilly]

To those who have had an Ileocolectomy (not emergency). How long was your hospital stay? My surgeon is saying three days with the most optomistic being the day after surgery. But I can't find anyone online or otherwise, who got out of the hospital before five days.

Anyone!?

 

[BowelMeOver]

Yikes? That sounds more like a drive thru operation as opposed to a nice and comfortable hospital stay. Are hospital beds in that much a demand there?

My husband just had his planned surgery on the 6th of this month, and was home on the 11th. And this was a pretty uneventful surgery.

I'd really hate to think that insurance coverage could be a deciding factor on length of stay. I know we got a letter in advance from Blue Cross Blue Shield approving up to 5 days for the surgery. Perhaps call your insurance company for further guidance?

Good luck! I'll be rooting for you.

 

[2thFairy]

I had total colectomy with J-pouch and the estimated stay was 5-8 days. I was in for 12 days, however. I think most people stay for 5 minimum and a few were fortunate enough to be discharged at 3, but that isn't the norm.

edit: Whoops! I was giving numbers based on total colectomy, not ileocolectomy. Sorry about that! Three days might actually be possible unless you are also having a colostomy or ileostomy placed as well.

 

[slightlysilly]

thanks so much for your response1

this was just a conversation we had with my surgeon. im pretty sure that my insurance isnt at play as to how long of a stay is required. truth be told, my son has a big soccer tournament on saturday, ans im going in on monday. wondering if its realistic for me to expect to be able to make his tournament...

i know, im a cray cray soccer mom.

 

[2thFairy]

You might be out of the hospital in time, but I bet you won't feel like going anywhere that soon.

(see my edit up above)

 

[slightlysilly]

im starting to accept that! i wonder why he said 3 or 4 days....he even said some are released by the following day! im glad i checked. i would hate to think that i could be out in a few days....

i guarantee though, if i am out, i'll be at that tournament... even if they have to wheel me there on a stretcher... remember... cray cray....

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

I'm afraid that I haven't had any surgeries. So, I have no idea as to advice. But, do want to offer some hugs your way. Hope all goes well and please keep us updated on how you're doing! :hug:

 

[slightlysilly]

Thank you so much Cross-Stitch. I'm in A LOT of pain, so the surgery is hopefully at least a reprieve from that pain. I know someone that used this surgeon and says he is the absolute best and he seems to know his stuff, but I am wondering what his reason is for being a tad optimistic.

 

[Crohn's gal since 1989]

I just had an ileocecal resection where 50cm of small intestine was removed at the terminal ileum. My intestines were then reattached. I had my surgery on Sept 14th and I was released on the 19th. 2-3 days after surgery I was in a lot of pain! Even whenI came home I was popping pain pills like they were candy. Hydromorphone 4mg every 4-6 hours and extra strength Tylenol every 6 hours! Trust me you will not be making that soccer game.

 

[slightlysilly]

Bonnie! I hope you are feeling somewhat better. I am currently on Vicodin (when I'm not driving) and probably around 4 or 5 ultram per day as it is. And that just keeps the pain down to a dull roar!

I think I'm coming to grips with the fact that I'm not going to make this tournament, based on what I've read on the internet and on this board thus far. I am baffled as to why my surgeon would be so optimistic about it... I'll ask my GI what he thinks.

Thanks so much for your input! Please tell me you are feeling better!

I've started making arrangements to have the game taped (actually games plural since it's a tournament)

 

[2thFairy]

A lot of surgeons are optimistic about length of recovery and minimize pain realities. Not all, but quite a few do that. And it is always possible that he has a unique technique that makes recovery faster, which would be most awesome!!

 

[PsychoJane]

There will be a difference in the length of the stay either it is a keyhole intervention or an open surgery. Even for the laparo, for the type of surgery, I find that 1-3 days is still rather short.
I had a resection and they relocated my stoma by open surgery last year. I was operated mid day a tuesday and was released on saturday. So roughly 4 days. I felt like it was rather fast to get me out and like other have said, I don't think I would have had any motivation to get out (ended up having for dressing changes...). In my case, pain was totally bearable at that point but, walking a remaining seated of standing at that point would have been nearly impossible. I had to lay every half to 1 hour or so.

Good luck with your surgery!