Surgery Center vs. Hospital

[flyaway 0]

Went to my pre-op appt yesterday and found out that my insurance will only pay for the Surgery Center here in town. I thought all along I'd be at the hospital, you know, in case something horrible happened during surgery like something was wrong with my heart or my foot fell off or something!!!

Is the surgery center ok? any one had surgery at one? experiences?

I had a bad time when I had my gallbladder out at the center - in recovery the nurse was on the computer and nobody checkin' me out, so I was forced to projectile vomit to get someone's attention!

I am really nervous!!!:thumbup:

[Bozzj 0]

I had mine done at a Surgery Center and I had a fantastic experience. For me, I got two doctors (our local hospital is teaching and i would have had my doc and an intern or whatever).

The center called me the next day to see how i was feeling...i felt like a person there.

that being said, it's only 4 miles from the hospital and that made me feel at ease because in case of an emergency i could receive help. They had mostly everything a hospital would have anyway....

[Long2BFree 12]

I had a minor arm surgery in a surgical center and felt it was just fine, but it is different than having major surgery. Have you called the surgical center to find out how they handle emergencies?

[Sarah8714 2]

I am having my done at the surgery center too. I am not worried. The staff at your center should be just as qualified as the hospital staff would be. Usually at the surgery center the nurse to pt ratio is not as high. They have all the same qualifications and should be able to handle any emergency. In the hospital I work at, the surgery team handles everything themselves. They do not call the ER for help and do well taking care anything that happens. I would mention to the staff the bad experience and anxiety you have about the gallbladder visit and they should be more aware. Good Luck!

[flyaway 0]

I am having my done at the surgery center too. I am not worried. The staff at your center should be just as qualified as the hospital staff would be. Usually at the surgery center the nurse to pt ratio is not as high. They have all the same qualifications and should be able to handle any emergency. In the hospital I work at, the surgery team handles everything themselves. They do not call the ER for help and do well taking care anything that happens. I would mention to the staff the bad experience and anxiety you have about the gallbladder visit and they should be more aware. Good Luck!

thanks for the thoughts and advice :smile: I'm sure it will be fine - maybe I'll just ask for the loopy drug upon arrival!

My husband is a nurse also, so that makes me feel better - he'll be watching me and reassuring me.