Inpatient vs outpatient

[aviva1979 375]

Hi all-

Somehow in my mind I had read so many stories of ppl who get their surgery times early in the day and can go home the same day I just assumed I would also be outpatient. I was just told by someone pre-registering me for my surgery that I'm staying overnight. Is this something it's worth advocating against? I'd just as soon be home (and not get surprised with any add'l hospital bills).

Thx!

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

I would expect your doctor has requested an over night stay at the hospital. If you are covered by insurance I would stay. If not, question them about the option of same day surgery. It may be that they are also expecting to fix a hernia? There is no award for being tough. DO what your doctor thinks is right for you!

[gowalking 10,790]

I stayed overnight and it was the right decision. The nurse was there to help me to walk, and to give me my pain meds. No...you don't sleep well but you won't sleep well at home either. It made me feel better to know that if anything went wrong, I was in the best place possible. FYI, my insurance covered this so there was no or very little additional cost.

[Nurse_B 270]

You may want to ask your surgeon what the protocol is. I am considered "inpatient" only because they don't have a surgery center to do the procedure as an outpatient. This may be the case for you as well. If you have it early enough, they usually send you home the same day if no complications and if you can go to the bathroom.

[jenn0528 40]

I asked to go home and my surgeon said it was fine. I had surgery at 11 am and was home at 7:30pm. I had to pee, walk and "eat" my dinner before I could leave. I did all that and only had one dose of pain meds ( liquid pain meds=gross).

[marfar7 1,528]

I stayed overnight, not because my dr requested but because my insurance insisted. Medicare makes you spend 1 nite. Glad I did so. I live 3 hrs away and I didn't want any surprises happening that first nite. Plue the pain meds they give you via your iv are worth the stay!

Check and see if it's a must for your insurance...

Marci

[Roo13 5]

I had mine done in the morning and my doc let me go home that afternoon. He was going to have me stay overnight, but I requested to go home. I had a roommate whose daughter and three kids were in the room ALL day and the 4 year old was whining all day that he left his cell phone at home. I did not get any rest and was miserable. The doc said I was looking good, was getting up on my own and so he sprung me. I went home and slept, in peace and quiet.

[aviva1979 375]

Thanks all! My surgery time is set for 7:30am so hopefully going home will be an option. I'm not having any kind of additional procedure and I do has CIGNA so maybe it is them requiring it. Appreciate the thoughts!