Lap Hysterectomy: Does everyone stay overnight at the hospital?

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Originally Posted by ColoSue Hmm...replied but my reply seems to have gone missing! Anyway, I appreciate the warnings, but I just can't postpone the surgery. If I don't do it in April, it is mostly likely July before I can do it again--and with my son home from school, etc., that would make the timing so much worse. I am quite self-sufficient, and I just cannot impose on anyone to stay with me. I can call if there is an emergency. I will have help during the day with my six-year-old over the weekend, and he'll be back in school on Monday. My cervix is coming out because I am OVER the bleeding, and my doctor says there is a chance of continued spotting, etc. So that sucker is coming out. I really don't want to take narcotics, but I will certainly discuss this with my doctor. I realize there can be complications, but I will remain optimistic going in!

I don't mean to be contrary and I think going in with an optimistic attitude is key BUT you are not being realistic about the surgery you have signed up for, or your doctor hasn't explained your surgery well enough to you.

One of my surgeries was for extensive tubal repair, lap surgery, nothing taken out, no scraping, only the tubal repair. I was under for several hours but this was at a day surgery center, no one stayed over night for the surgery I had. I can't tell you how in pain I was and how hard it was just to drive home - in the passenger seat. I could barely make it to the toilet and this was with narcotics. And I do well with anesthesia and surgery in general.

You really need to reschedule for when your mother or close friend can stay with you the first few days, to get you over the hump (and no caring for a 6 year old at all, unless another adult is taking care of him AND you). Or change your surgery to keeping your cervix (although I still don't think they will release you that night if they know you will be going home alone - please don't lie, it is for a reason, sometimes you can't even call 911, don't put yourself in that situation). You also need to consider you might wake up with an abdominal cut, then you are talking a few days in the hospital and much longer recovery. I'm not trying to scare you at all but you need to understand what you are getting yourself into.

This is not a root canal. Being prepared is key (I think). Plan for the worst and hope for the best!

Please be open to prescription pain meds. There's a lot of press out there that scares people, but a few days of percocet or vicodin doesn't hurt you and in fact can aid you in getting enough rest and being reasonably comfortable. Better to have and fill the prescription than to realize at 2am some night that the pain is overwhelming. With a young child just keep the meds hidden and dispose of the meds once you've gone back to work for 1-2 wk without needing one. Many times after a surgery you won't need them after a few days but going back to work may cause enough pain that you'll need prescription meds on occasion.

There IS no one who can stay with me--regardless of when i have the surgery. My mother could not care less about my surgery, and my ex-mother-in-law travels a lot--many times unexpectedly--so she is not dependable when it comes to caring for my son (I certainly don't expect her to care for me). My friends have kids, jobs, and lives. I suppose if my doctor recommends it, I will have to stay overnight, though I really do not want to (doubting insurance would pay for it either, unless there are complications). I would like to actually be able to get some rest.

I have discussed these things with my doctor in general when we initially talked about the surgery, and she did not seem overly concerned. If something goes horribly wrong during the surgery and I wind up in worse shape than expected, my friend will take care of my son while I'm in the hospital for the few days until his dad is home from his trip.

I believe I am being realistic for me in terms of the expectations of this surgery. I understand many of you have really had a tough time of it--probably because of all the horrible issues you had going in--but I will continue to be optimistic. Thanks, everyone.

Sue, As you can see we are all very concerned for you. We have been through this journey already and know what lies ahead for you. Please dont try to be a warrier, stop thinking about yourself and inconveniencing anyone and start thinkiing on how this will effect your son if you end up back in the hospital, or he witnesses you in so much pain and can't move. You are actually putting alot of burden on him. What type of surgery are you having. I started out having robotic and ended up having a six inch incision and my recovery changed completely. My suggestion is if you dont want to inconvenience anyone to help then hire someone to watch your son or at least stay the first night with you. You definately need a plan B. You sound like a strong person so you probably will be fine by day 3.

I'm still waffling on the pain meds. I didn't have any with my c-section. I know for most women, the hysterectomy is more painful recovering. I just don't like the idea of narcotics in general. I will discuss with my doctor and get something for a couple of days is she strongly recommends, though I will try not to use them.

I also just learned this morning that going back to work will no longer be an issue as our company is going "virtual" and we'll all be working from home starting April. I'm hoping to take a minimal of days off after my surgery.

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Originally Posted by ColoSue I'm still waffling on the pain meds. I didn't have any with my c-section. I know for most women, the hysterectomy is more painful recovering. I just don't like the idea of narcotics in general. I will discuss with my doctor and get something for a couple of days is she strongly recommends, though I will try not to use them. I also just learned this morning that going back to work will no longer be an issue as our company is going "virtual" and we'll all be working from home starting April. I'm hoping to take a minimal of days off after my surgery.

It sounds like you have a good plan.

You can get the meds filled, and if you don't need them no harm no foul.

While it's not ideal to be home alone, or not have someone there just in case. Sometimes, it happens. The day after my last surgery I was home with the kids (10 and 8 at the time) for the evening alone as my husband had class. The next day I was alone, and had to walk the kids to the bus stop. It wasn't fun, but it had to be done.

It sounds like you have a back up plan if needed. I hope your recovery is quick and uneventful.

Marem --Thanks. :-) But I AM a warrior. I certainly appreciate everyone sharing your experiences, so I know the worst I could be in for. I will bring all of your concerns along with me to my doctor appointment on Thursday.

I know even with a outpatient procedure I have always had to have someone with me at the hospital as well as at home that night. What ever you choose to do please be careful. This is not an easy surgery. I had complications 18 days later with no warning at all.

For surgeries like this insurance will likely pre-approve one night. When you decide to do the surgery the surgeons office submits a request to your insurance company. The insurance responds with their guidelines and included is wording on what length of stay is automatically allowed, though not mandatory. Then if you don't stay overnight or stay one night insurance has essentially said that's permissible. If someone develops complications or has other reasons to extend the stay the surgeon and his staff are well versed on what to say to get a longer stay approved.

Those who stay one night are considered "23 hour observation" and not inpatient stay. Women having TAH are admitted as the stay is longer than one night.

If you'll see the surgeon before surgery ask if his staff has received guidelines on what stay is acceptable just in case you do stay. Then if you are in the recovery room and you are advised to stay the night or you are asked your preference you'll have peace of mind knowing it's approved.

Insurance companies actually expect laproscopic hysterectomy, gallbladder or appendix surgeries to stay one night. There was backlash a few years ago when insurance was too eager to send patients home the day of laproscopic abdominal surgery thus now it's more patient & doctor preference.

Personally one night is preferable to going home the day of surgery. Something about those 24 hours and I feel tons better the next day. My Decemberleft neck surgery was 7am Thu & hubby picked me up 6pm Fri. As long as I didn't stay a 2nd night tgeythey were flexible with the time iI left.

This is from the information I've gotten from my doctor regarding hospital stay and recovery for this type of surgery. It pretty much repeats what my doctor told me and why I was fully expecting to be back working (from home) on the Tuesday after surgery (which is on a Friday). Granted, I realize things can go wrong.

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Is there a hospital stay after surgery? The majority of our patients go home the same day as their surgery. What kind of recovery can be expected? Patients should expect to take ibuprofen or narcotic pain pills for a few days post-operatively. We encourage patients NOT to stay in bed. They should move around the house and resume normal activities as soon as they feel up to it. Some women are well enough to return to work one week after surgery. Women who have more physically demanding work should stay home for 2-3 weeks. Women can resume exercise and sex within a few weeks of the surgery. Laparoscopic patients can expect to suffer less post-operative pain than traditional hysterectomy or cesarean section patients.