Help me, possible change in surgeon

[Kyha 0]

I am so stressed out. I've received a phone call this morning from the hospital were my surgery will be performed. The hospital rep wanted to go over my insurance information and my co-pays. Well, I was informed that my surgery will be inpatient. Originally, I was told by my surgeon office that my lap band will be performed as outpatient. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

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I so tried of my surgeon office flip flopping with me. Telling me one thing and changing to another. This is neither a good sign, nor those this sit well with me. I don’t know what to do. <o:p></o:p>

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With the inpatient surgery am responsible for a much high patient responsible price. I've already budged and sacrifice obtaining my portion of funding for outpatient surgery at the lower price quoted to me. <o:p></o:p>

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Does any one know if lap band is an outpatient surgery? Why do I have to stay overnight? Again, my surgery office has not communicated with me the whys<o:p></o:p>

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My surgery is scheduled for early in the morning next week. I can't imagine being in the hospital for over 24 hours for inpatient. <o:p></o:p>

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Also, I am debating whether or not I should switch surgeon/hospital at this stage. I've come so far. But, I too upset and disappointed that my surgeon office did not bother to communicate with me changes in surgery. <o:p></o:p>

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Please some one help. In the past I've lost 70lbs from 202 to 131 by cutting of fast food, exercising, and moderate low carbs diet. But, I again the weight back & some in 2001. I am not sure that I am making the right decision to have WLS. <o:p></o:p>

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I am on my 10th day of full liquids. Lost about 13 lbs thus far by following the surgeon's office guidelines.

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Sorry for rambling onk:blushing:

Edited January 15, 2009 by Kyha
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[DanaM 0]

Mine was out patient but some insurance company requires it to be over night.

[gentylwind 1]

Some are overnight, some are not. I would talk to your surgeon's office and find out what the deal is. It very well could all be a misunderstanding.

[bearbandit 0]

mine was outpatient. My surgeon would have set it up as inpatient if I was at high risk. (extemely obese). It sure was nice being home the same day.

[Kyha 0]

Thank you everyone for your comments. I am still a bit upset. The office cooridnator is not in the office today, so I can't ask why the flip flop or sudden change in information without informing me. I don't like when someone, especially a professional person to conduct business this way. Plus, if I am going to have surgery of this nature, it would be great to be explain things up front.

I am seriously having second thoughts. I had one lady walk up to me last week stating that God doesn't want me to have this surgery. I don't know. I just wants to communicate with someone. Blessing too all.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Call your surgeon and ask. It's entirely possible the person who called you is wrong.

[gentylwind 1]

Yep, definitely would not get upset until I talk to the surgeon's office. Hospitals make this kind of mistake frequently.

If you aren't sure about the surgery for real, then don't have it. If it is just jitters because it is getting close, hang in there.

[msdelicious 0]

mine was outpatient, but maybe your insurance requires inpatient, i would check the insurance co. just to make sure. if they say outpt. then i would change surgeons.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

There's one more thing to consider. For example, as a rule, my surgeon has his patients stay overnight. (if you stay 23 hours that is considered outpatient and you aren't billed as much) He almost ALWAYS keeps patients overnight. That's his standard. SO If, before my surgery, I called and asked his staff (receptionist, Nurse, NP, anyone) they'd say "Yes you stay overnight".

Sensible, right? HOWEVER....I personally asked him, if I was recovering well, could I GO HOME? I explained my husband is an RN with 20+ years experience and I am a nursing student. I said if I started to tank we'd go to ER. He said I could GO HOME. So until that surgery day, if I'd called and asked his nurse, she would've said "NO you stay overnight" The insurance woman said "you stay overnight" The HOSPITAL planned for me to stay overnight. BUT...it's the doctor's call. He MUST approve my discharge. And I knew he was discharging me that afternoon, because he said he would. And that is exactly what he did.

Don't get mad at your surgeon for "not doing" something or flip flopping until you hear HIM flip flop. What some hospital clerk tells you is nothing. What the SURGEON does is what matters. HE will decide to keep you if you need it, or discharge you if you want to go and don't need to stay.

[HeatherO 7]

I agree with Restless Monkey. A clerk in the office may just have made a mistake or has poor communication skills. It shouldn't take away from your choice to have wls or your trust in the surgeon.

Call back and insist on obtaining more information . . . and if the clerk can't help you, see if you can get a different contact in the office.