Is Anyone Else Doing Outpatient Surgery?

I'm opting to have the surgery at the hospital's outpatient surgery center. The surgeon says I'm a great candidate for it. I had outpatient knee surgery in February and that seemed to work out fine for me. My boyfriend was so wonderful those first couple of days after that surgery and he doesn't seem to mind having to do it again over the Thanksgiving Day holiday for a couple of days. If he wasn't going to be around, not sure I'd make this choice, but it saves me $3500 - and since I'm self-pay, that's HUGE. But all of you seem to be talking about staying the hospital, what to take, etc. I was just wondering if anyone else is having this done on an outpatient basis? Best, Stephanie

Stephanie, I am having a hospital stay with my surgery. I had knee surgery this year and last year (right then left) done outpatient as well, it was pretty easy, but I would never consider this surgery on an outpatient basis... Do you have to go in the next day for a leak test or how do they do that????? Just curious, I have never heard of this surgery being done out-patient. Best of luck to you and I hope all goes well with that. Shawn M.

Oh - sorry - I should have been more precise - I'm having Lap-Band, so there's no leak test or concerns of that ilk. I think it's fairly common for the Lap-Band to be done on an outpatient basis, but just was wondering if there were any others on the board that had made that choice. Best, Stephanie

Stephanie, I go in tomorrow and will leave after the surgery and go back to a hotel. My husband will be with me and we decided to stay overnite in a hotel because we live about 80 miles away and I did not know if I would feel like riding after the lap-band. I am taking my liquid pain killer and nausea meds and some juice and jello with me. If I need anything else, I guess he will get it for me. Good luck and wish me the same. Linda

Linda, when are you having your surgery? I don't think I have you on my prayer list.

Stephanie, Most of the people posting here are having RNY which definitely requires a hospital stay. But, I have recently heard of several people who did their lap band as an out patient surgery so I think it is becoming more common. If you don't live near your hospital you might consider staying in a hotel close by that first night, just in case. Good luck! Corinna Q

I would if I could! I am also self-pay and I was told that the price was the same whether I stay over night or not and that I might as well stay. It is a small, private hospital that my surgeon is part owner in, so I'm sure that is why he can "play" with the price a bit. Hope it all works out! Denise

Hi Stephanie, I'm not going to be an outpatient, but as close to one as you can get. I will be in the hospital for just about 24 hours. Maybe less, maybe more, depending on how I do. My fee for the hospital, whi*****ludes the room and all the OR services is $8,500. I'm a self-pay too. I also pay a surgeon fee, and an anesthesiologist fee. Good luck!