What's the best day of the week to have your surgery?

[Qaterra]

Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

Many surgeons routinely take 3-day weekends. Most take off at least Saturday and Sunday.

So, if you have your surgery on Thursday or, worse, Friday, if there's some complication, who's going to look after you? Not your surgeon who likely will be unavailable.

Source: Reader's Digest, October 2012, 50 Things Your Surgeon Won't Tell You; various others.

 

[mergatroid]

Thanks for posting this. I hadn't thought about that. I'll keep that in mind when scheduling my surgery. I had an operation scheduled for 11:30am once and brought a muffin in for my doctor to eat beforehand. I didn't want him having
shaky hands during my operation. He laughed, but ate it anyway.

 

[Happiest Loser]

Its funny, My doc had just come off of a 2 week cruise and I was his first surgery that day. He came in all tan and was excited to be back to work, lol. Nuff said on that, he schedules his surgeries on Tues, and Wed. every week so he is there for the post op. Great Doc. His Name is Dr. Kwon from Middletown, N.Y.

 

[Javajoy]

I don't know about other bariatric centers but the one I went to usually was not open on the weekends. One of the nurses told me that she sometimes has to work just a Saturday morning to discharge a patient and if they can't go home they are placed on another unit. Not all surgeons take three day weekends. I think that is a myth. They might not be there in person but most are reachable.

I think it would also depend on what procedure you were having done. Lapbands usually go home the following morning and some even the same day depending on the surgeon. While other procedures can stay anywhere from one to three days.

All surgeons I am familiar with have a doctor to take call for them so you would get care regardless, if you needed it. Sometimes you just go through the Emergency room and very often your surgeon is available by phone to issue orders. They won't leave you hanging.

It also depends on the surgery schedule and when the special rooms are available. I prefer Monday morning surgeries and procedures and that is what I got quite by accident. I didn't ask but I was glad because I ended up staying until Thursday due to an extra surgery they had to do.

Your point is excellent though. But, they won't leave you hanging without care. Someone is available either by phone or through an emergency room.

 

[Qaterra]

To clarify:

I did not say that all surgeons take a 3-day weekend.

Nor did I say that anyone would be without care. I said only that it would likely not be your surgeon providing it given those particular days.

 

[Qaterra]

Its funny, My doc had just come off of a 2 week cruise and I was his first surgery that day. He came in all tan and was excited to be back to work, lol. Nuff said on that, he schedules his surgeries on Tues, and Wed. every week so he is there for the post op. Great Doc. His Name is Dr. Kwon from Middletown, N.Y.

Welcome in, Happiest Loser! Looks like you are doing very well.

I'm glad to see you here. You'll find this Forum friendly and supportive. Please keep posting. This group is somewhat lacking in the testosterone department! lol

Tom (and others) looks like you'll have to share a little more. lmao

 

[Javajoy]

So, if you have your surgery on Thursday or, worse, Friday, if there's some complication, who's going to look after you? Not your surgeon who likely will be unavailable.

I did not mean for anyone to misunderstand what I said but you indicated that if you had surgery on a Friday you wanted to know who would take care of you. I just tried to give you some reassurance that you would be cared for. I also indicated that it sometimes depends on the procedure you and your surgeon choose and I know from personal experience that the availability of the surgical suite has a lot to do with it as well. Sorry for any misunderstanding. Many others (as have I) have already had their surgery so maybe they would answer differently. I am just speaking from my experience. Perhaps yours will be different. Wishing you the best on your journey.

 

[Qaterra]

I had an operation scheduled for 11:30am once and brought a muffin in for my doctor to eat beforehand. I didn't want him having
shaky hands during my operation. He laughed, but ate it anyway.

Never thought about that aspect. You're right, of course.

Surgeons usually start early in the morning and often work very long hours, doing several surgeries in a row. And with a schedule like that, I suspect it's near impossible to fuel yourself well.

I do believe the next time I have any surgery, I, too, will take my surgeon something good to eat!

 

[TwoMas]

Hi, Q I had a long weekend out and about just catching up on the forum lots of chatter this columbus day weekend! My surgery was done on Monday and I was out by wednesday morning, My surgeon has an on call doc on the weekends but I never used it, lucjkily I had very few complications and I adjusted my BP meds on my own, I asked for forgivenerss on my nesxt visit. Tom

 

[TwoMas]

Thanks for posting this. I hadn't thought about that. I'll keep that in mind when scheduling my surgery. I had an operation scheduled for 11:30am once and brought a muffin in for my doctor to eat beforehand. I didn't want him having
shaky hands during my operation. He laughed, but ate it anyway.

Hi Mergatriod, That remenids me of the old joke- Question, "Do you want your doctor drinking alcohol before surgery" Answer "Only if it keeps his hands from shaking" BadUmpAh Chahhhh LOL Bad humor I know but I just had to say it Tom