Want laparoscopic hyster, but not outpatient

[Anonymous]

Gyne is recommending hysterectomy because there are "too many things going on" with my uterus including lots of little fibroids, abnormally thick lining following an ablation. I look 4 months pregnant. She said laparoscopic surgery and home that night is the way to go. I am terrified at the thought of coming home hours after major surgery. I stayed in the hospital 2 days after laparoscopic gallbladder removal. I also had a two day stay for stomach surgery. My insurance won't pay for an overnight stay unless I do full abdominal surgery. I've had same day gynecological surgery before and it went badly. I took a long time coming out of GA, bled a river, couldn't get the pain under control, and in one case, passed out in the car on the way home. How do I widen my pool of options?

[Anonymous]

Will your insurance not pay for it even if your doctor says it is medically necessary for you to stay (which I think a case could be made for given your history?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will your insurance not pay for it even if your doctor says it is medically necessary for you to stay (which I think a case could be made for given your history?)

I have had a number of fights with them in the last 5 years. My doctors write great letters explaining patiently why I need xyz, but it usually takes 4-6 months to resolve. I'm unsure I can wait that long in this case.

[Anonymous]

I went home the same day and it was awful. Another friend hemorrhaged at home and luckily made it back in time for more surgery. Insurance sucks.

[Anonymous]

Maybe look at medical tourism options. Get it done in a country with more humane health care practices.

[Anonymous]

Can you afford several hundred dollars for the stay? Call the hospital administration and ask what the out-of-pocket would be if your insurance won't cover a stay. When I called around for the cost of staying after my c-section it was a few hundred dollars a night; I assume meds would have been extra.

Alternatively, you could book a hotel right by the hospital and stay there. That won't help with pain control but you will be less stressed, and nearer the hospital if you need to be.

[Anonymous]

That's a tough one, OP. I don't have any advice, but I wish you luck. I'm sorry that insurance is putting you in this very precarious situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you afford several hundred dollars for the stay? Call the hospital administration and ask what the out-of-pocket would be if your insurance won't cover a stay. When I called around for the cost of staying after my c-section it was a few hundred dollars a night; I assume meds would have been extra.

Alternatively, you could book a hotel right by the hospital and stay there. That won't help with pain control but you will be less stressed, and nearer the hospital if you need to be.

Thanks, I can't really pay a full night's stay out of pocket (it was roughly $1200 a night when I had my last surgery), but we could do a hotel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's a tough one, OP. I don't have any advice, but I wish you luck. I'm sorry that insurance is putting you in this very precarious situation.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went home the same day and it was awful. Another friend hemorrhaged at home and luckily made it back in time for more surgery. Insurance sucks.

That's awful for you both. It's my fear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you afford several hundred dollars for the stay? Call the hospital administration and ask what the out-of-pocket would be if your insurance won't cover a stay. When I called around for the cost of staying after my c-section it was a few hundred dollars a night; I assume meds would have been extra.

Alternatively, you could book a hotel right by the hospital and stay there. That won't help with pain control but you will be less stressed, and nearer the hospital if you need to be.

You wanted a 5th night at the hospital after your c section? Doesn't insurance cover 4 nights?

[Anonymous]

OP, I had this surgery. I was bound and determined NOT to stay overnight b/c I hate hospitals. I cannot sleep there at all b/c they are always waking you up to take your blood pressure or there is noise. There is no way I can rest there. Well, my gyn surgeon said I would need to stay overnight, but it was up to me in the end.

Surgery went perfectly, but I was not in condition to leave the hospital! I stayed overnight. Did I get any sleep? Not much at all. The most helpful thing was having a bed that would raise up automatically. Your abdominal muscles will be out of commission. Trying to get out of bed will be very hard if you don't have one of those automatic beds.

I went home the next day. I won't sugar coat it... it's definitely going to be rough for the first 24 hrs at home. But, good news -- it's easier than recovery from childbirth b/c you don't have the tearing or pain when urinating on stitches. You will just have no abdominal muscles and you will be surprised how much you use them for simply turning from one side to the other in bed or for sitting up!

I cannot imagine why your insurance wouldn't pay for an overnight. Please ask. I am almost certain they would. This is considered MAJOR surgery. It is for your safety as well as the doctor's protection from malpractice. They need to make sure you aren't hemoraging (?sp), or thowing a clot. If I had left, itwould have been marked "AMA" for Against Medical Advice.

You could go to another surgeon -- I used Northern Va. Pelvic Surgery Associates. Dr. Garg. Good luck! FWIW, I have no regrets and love not having a period EVER.

[Anonymous]

That's crazy! I had mine out and stayed the night. There was an entire ward of ladies who had the same surgery, and the next morning I was the only one who wasn't puking from anesthesia and could walk around. Is it the insurance company or the doctor? Would a second opinion help?

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine going home same day!!!
I had a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy by Dr. Boice at Washington Hospital Center. His bedside manner is not great but he's an excellent surgeon, which is what you need.
No way in heck could I have gone home that night - it was pretty dicey the next day too.

Good luck, and maybe get another doctor's opinion.

[Anonymous]

I had a laproscopic hysterectomy in December and interviewed three surgeons before deciding. They all called it outpatient, but it meant overnight and the term was "outpatient -- extended stay." that means you are not formally admitted, but have a regular room and are intended to stay no longer than 24 hours. However, I was told very clearly that it there were any complications, they would admit me for another day. I was actually amazed that I was able to go home about 24 hours after surgery, but it was really OK. I did not have any complications and it was a very straightforward recovery. I ended up choosing Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and was very pleased with the surgeon, the overall process and level of care, start to finish.