Lisa (Kitty) asked what people thought about the differing protocols and seemingly different recoveries of kids that she has read about on this group.
Here's my opinion.
I, too, was struck by the wide range of protocols and listed them out in a previous posts. Things like days in ICU, when allowed to drink, eat, etc. Most recently, it was whether or not kids even need to be restricted for several months.
While there is most certainly variation that is dictated by the individual case histories (lung function, etc.), the variation among the kids with no complications is so wide that it can only be explained by personal preference of the surgeon.
It's also the skill of the nursing staff... if high, the kids can get away with only a few hours in ICU. Things like that.
One thing that I think shouldn't vary so much perhaps is when kids are allowed to drink/eat. Our surgeon was VERY strict about not even allowing ice chips until the bowel sounds could be heard. As a result, my daughter had no problems with stomach distension or discomfort. She was home three days before she had a BM if I recall correctly (8 days post-op). There was not one word from the surgeon or nursing staff about needing to have a BM prior to discharge. If I didn't read about that in other testimonials I never would have known other surgeons require that.
As to all other matters, if there is one right answer on these things, it's not obvious from reading the testimonials what it is.
Here's my opinion.
I, too, was struck by the wide range of protocols and listed them out in a previous posts. Things like days in ICU, when allowed to drink, eat, etc. Most recently, it was whether or not kids even need to be restricted for several months.
While there is most certainly variation that is dictated by the individual case histories (lung function, etc.), the variation among the kids with no complications is so wide that it can only be explained by personal preference of the surgeon.
It's also the skill of the nursing staff... if high, the kids can get away with only a few hours in ICU. Things like that.
One thing that I think shouldn't vary so much perhaps is when kids are allowed to drink/eat. Our surgeon was VERY strict about not even allowing ice chips until the bowel sounds could be heard. As a result, my daughter had no problems with stomach distension or discomfort. She was home three days before she had a BM if I recall correctly (8 days post-op). There was not one word from the surgeon or nursing staff about needing to have a BM prior to discharge. If I didn't read about that in other testimonials I never would have known other surgeons require that.
As to all other matters, if there is one right answer on these things, it's not obvious from reading the testimonials what it is.
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