overnight stay or not

[luluc 6]

my surgeon required someone else to drive - we were released the same day. since we live over an hr away, hubby got a limo service. sounds crazy - and our dr still thinks we're his first to take a limo for a lapband...but he made sure someone would be at our home to take care of us after our release.

[TBLightningFan 0]

After staying overnight, did the hosptial require you to have someone drive you home?

I'm planning on driving myself there and back but someone was saying that the hospital might not release me if I'm driving myself! (I was thinking, "What are they going to do--handcuff me?")

Anyway, what was your experience?

They wont handcuff you to the hospital, but when they ask you before hand they can refuse to perform the surgery unless you have arrangements. Also remember that driving while on pain meds is not safe and can get you into trouble. Everyone handles surgery differently. While one person may be able to pull off driving, many others cannot. The hospital has to err on the safe side. What will you do if you are well enough for discharge but do not feel capable of driving?

While I felt fine after surgery on the 24th, the ride home the next day was awful. My insides felt every single little bump and groove in the road. My Dr. will not allow me to drive for at least 5-7 days. Right now, I can feel why.

[msjessy 0]

I had an overnight stay in the hospital and it was the best thing for me. I had the nurses to help me with my pain, which was minimal, but there were times when I just ached.

It was better for me to stay overnight as well because I have a toddler at home and, although I missed her so much, I was glad to be in the hospital with no worries of her jumping, kicking or hitting my stomach, or of wanting to be picked up.

Honestly, I just could not imagine having to go home so soon after the surgery. I've read stories here where people were in and out in like 4 or 5 hours. :thumbup:

And no, the hospital will not let you drive yourself home, even if you literally live around the corner. Its for safety reasons, both your own and other people on the road.

[Betelnut 10]

Hmm. I wonder what I'm going to do then. I live an hour's drive from the hospital and don't really have a support group to help me. Us solitary types are at a disadvantage, that's for sure. I'd hate to drive to the hospital and have to leave my car there.

[TBLightningFan 0]

Hmm. I wonder what I'm going to do then. I live an hour's drive from the hospital and don't really have a support group to help me. Us solitary types are at a disadvantage, that's for sure. I'd hate to drive to the hospital and have to leave my car there.

Is there a cab service in the area? Do you have a co-worker or neighbor you trust or anyone that can take you home? Even if you had to pay a co-worker a few bucks for gas.

[TQUAD64 9]

You know, I thought the same thing too. I was conisdering driving myself as well, since I am spending the night at the hospital anyway. Really what can they do to you???

[terilynn112 1]

I had my surgery on tuesday. I had to drive for an emergency on FRIDAY. OMG It hurt so bad I came home and cried (and took pain pills-smashed). I'm 10 days now post op, and even now, yes the driving is better, but I had several stops yesterday (friday's my son's therapy day) and I seriously was overly sore.

teri

[Losing 2 0]

I am scheduled in Detroit MI (4 hrs from me) with Great Lakes Weight Loss at Harper Hospital and it an overnight stay. I'm self-pay. Glad to have the overnight stay, but I've had enough surgery's to know that I'd do fine even if I had to go home same day.

My husband will drive me the 4 hours, but he has many relatives there and we're looking into flying out to give him more time to visit and to give my belly a rest after surgery.... bumps for 4 hrs might not be fun!

Even with a colonscopy, you aren't allowed to drive yourself home - it's much better to have a driver.

At one of the weight loss centers in Chicago, they offer a limo ride home and I thought that was very nice jesture.

I'm hoping you can look into spending a few extra $$ on a cab, friend, co-worker or even a limo. It will be much safer for you. Good luck.

[MissBS 3]

I was very glad to get to come "home" after surgery, even though it was to a hotel. I do not like hospitals.... and I was more comfortable in the hotel than I would have been in a hospital. They made me sign a paper stating that I had someone to drive me "home" after the surgery before they would even do it. Good luck to you.

[littlefroggy 0]

My doctor requires an overnight stay, but I couldn't IMAGINE what it would have been like to go home! If given the chance stay overnight! I was pretty miserable for several hours, and it wasn't until probably 18 hours after the surgery (middle of the night) that I started to feel ok. By morning I was better, but walking was still tough.

I think everyone should stay overnight and understand why my doctor requires it!

[littlefroggy 0]

After staying overnight, did the hosptial require you to have someone drive you home?

I'm planning on driving myself there and back but someone was saying that the hospital might not release me if I'm driving myself! (I was thinking, "What are they going to do--handcuff me?")

Anyway, what was your experience?

I don't think I would be able to drive home! Arrange a ride or take a cab!

[MissBS 3]

I too was self pay. If I would have had to pay for a night in a hospital (lots of $$$), I probably couldn't have been able to have had it done. I felt fine to go home. Guess it just depends on you and your doctor or insurance. Not all the same.

[Weas123 0]

I stayed overnight in a hospital in my own private room. I was miserable and didn't get a wink of sleep. I would have preferred to be at home, so count yourself very lucky.

On a side note, when I stayed overnight, I got Morphine. I didn't use their pain medication all night because I didn't want to get addicted.

That , I don't recommend.

[ShrinkyDink 0]

If someone insists on leaving the hospital driving themself the hospital of course can't physically stop them, but they will discharge them AMA, which means against medical advice. It's the only way the hospital can protect themselves from liability if that person has a wreck on the way home. And with that on the chart, insurance is likely to deny the claim and the person will be stuck with an enormous bill. Driving yourself that soon after surgery is not an option, it's dangerous to yourself and to others on the road. Not trying to preach, just telling you what could happen, it's a serious issue.

I was a same day procedure and was home by noon after 8am surgery. I didn't want to stay overnight but I wish they had let me stay a couple more hours so I could sleep off the anesthesia a little more, I was very dizzy and miserable for my first couple hours home.

Edited September 29, 2008 by ShrinkyDink

[lndshark 0]

I get banded on the 2nd at NWWLS in everett. The average time you are there is between four and five hours. They have their own surgery center, the other half of their offices. They require you to stay overnight, they prefer you stay in the holiday in literally right across the street. I am driving back home, four hours the next day. I want to be home.

Just for the record I wont be driving, i have a whole entourage going with me, so i guess i will be driven.