Hi -

A question to all of you post-surgical bandsters.

My surgery is December 14. I need to stay overnight in the hospital because my short term disability only goes into effect the day after a hospital stay.

I would like to have the week following my surgery off as STD. Then the week of Christmas is paid vacation for the company, so I'd have 2 weeks off from work to rest and recouperate.

My question is, how should I present my situation to the doctor so that I can stay overnight in the hospital? I'd feel more comfortable doing that anyway, but what are valid reasons for me to provide the doctor to qualify for an overnight stay?

Thanks,

Nathalie

Why exactly do you want to stay overnight?

Edited to clarify my thoughts. I don't think my initial post was clear enough.

Maybe your company does things a little differently, but in most cases STD can only be used once a significant part of your PTO (including sick time) has been exhausted. The nice companies let you keep some PTO before STD kicks in, but many do not.

E.g. if you have 5 weeks of PTO, and your company lets you keep a week, then before your STD kicks in you have to be on PTO for 4 weeks.

I could be completely wrong, but I don't believe outpatient vs. inpatient has any impact on STD benefits. Probably am completely wrong, because it may vary by employer or by state.

Some surgeons simply don't do the procedure inpatient. Some only do it inpatient.

If you're determined to do it inpatient then just tell the surgeon the truth about why.

I wasn't given a choice. My stay was overnight and I was very grateful for it!

Wheetsin:

My STD is automatic the day following an overnight hospital stay. If I go home the same day, then I have to be out 5 days before STD is effective. That is per the STD policy at my company.

I don't know if "because I want to go on STD starting tomorrow" is a valid reason for them to keep me in the hospital. I'd think I would need a medical reason (not a fianancial one) to stay overnight.

You could have the doc schedule your surgery for later in the day.

I get it. Tell your doc the truth. They understand.

I'll be staying overnight for my surgery - I really didn't want to but oh well I'm sure I'll appreciate it when I'm there. I would be completely honest with you doc believe it or not they understand all of this and I'm sure he'll work with you. (btw - my band is scheduled 12/11)

Catch is that you can't validate a medical reason above and beyond your doctor, so my personal advice is still that if you need the time, tell the truth. It probably wouldn't be the first time someone tried to do something similar.

The good thing about lap-band, but bad for what you're wanting, is that it medically doesn't really require an overnight stay. Some docs require it, some don't, I'm sure there are also some that make it an option. Maybe just ask him/her how it's done? Maybe it's their standard to do overnight, in which case you have nothing to worry about.

I would tell your doctor the truth. My surgeon usually does the surgery as outpatient in their surgical center, but they will do it at a local hospital if the patients insurance requires.

I had to stay overnight, there was no choice. Most do stay overnight. I don't think you'll have a problem at all especially if you ask for an afternoon surgery.

I stayed overnight, and was grateful for it. I'm not a big fan of hospitals, but I truly needed the pain meds they gave me that day. Regardless of how routine an operation is, I would want to have an overnight stay for something that they did to my insides.

Just my opinion

I wasn't given a choice. My stay was overnight and I was very grateful for it!

Same here. Outpatient surgery was not an option. EVERYONE has to stay overnight. Which is kinda good and kinda bad at the same time.

I had to stay overnight too, although, now my surgeon does the surgery as an out patient. Are you self pay? Maybe if you tell him it would help you recoop some of your expenses.