Posted on: Feb 15, 2007 01:19 PM
VA
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 582
BJAlexandria wrote:
Does anyone know the truth about this? For years, there's been junk floating around the Internet about hospitals and medical facilities (condoned/enforced by insurance companies) who would do mastectomies on an out-patient basis and that there is/was a bill before Congress trying to legislate against the practice. I found references on the Internet (ie Snopes.com) that this is an urban legend. Recently, someone posted this bill's existence on a listserve where I frequent and I posted back that it was an urban legend. Then I got blasted by a woman who claims she actually testified about this bill before Congress!! Does anyone know for sure if this is true? (I emailed the woman back and asked for info about the bill.) She claims the bill is supported by breastcancer.org, too.
Of course, if it's true that hospitals are performing mastectomies and sending patients home the same day, I am absolutely MORTIFIED! And there outta be a law . . .
But I am wondering if this is true, how wide-spread is it and if Congress has a current bill on the table.
Hope someone out there knows!
Anyone?
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Feb 15, 2007 05:19 PM ArmyNavyMom wrote:
I don't know anything about the bill but I can put in my 2 cents.
Cent #1 - Snopes is usually very reliable. My Bro works in IT for U of Mich and he uses/recommends this site all the time.
Cent #2 - The plan was for my mast surgery to be outpatient. I had a minor cardiac issue during the surgery, so they kept me overnight on a telemetry unit to monitor the heartbeat. Considering how little sleep I got in the hospital (due to a roomie who was really in pain, and the nurses poking me at all hours for BPs and bloodwork) I think I'd have gotten a lot more sleep at home!!! While I'm sure this is not a good idea in every case, and I'm sure it should be a decision between the surgeon and patient without the government sticking their nose in, IMO not every mast patient needs to stay overnight. I would rather have been home!
As I said, just my 2 cents.
Anne
2up
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,384
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Feb 15, 2007 05:41 PM 2up wrote:
i live in canada, "home of decent health care"............i had not one, but two separate drive through mastectomies, and i actually had a PS who had the gumption to send me home with nothing better than muscle relaxers and some tylenol 2's after my first mast with extensive lymph dissection...........i couldn't even begin to function optimally for over 6 weeks after my first mast, and the pain was unbearable from the lymph removal and subsequent hematomas, my second "prophylactic" mast was a little better, but i swear they just can't friggin wait to discharge you.............and i'm an RN of long standing in the hospital that kicked me out lol!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Feb 16, 2007 01:01 AM BJAlexandria wrote:
Thanks, ladies! Bump
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Feb 16, 2007 02:35 AM Towanda2 wrote:
Actually, snopes.com says this is TRUE, not legend.
"last updated 12/06":
www.snopes.com/politics/medica...
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Feb 16, 2007 12:19 PM BJAlexandria wrote:
Thanks, Towanda!
moogie
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 741
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Feb 16, 2007 02:42 PM moogie wrote:
I had double mastectomies with nodes removed and my insurance approval was for release in 24 hrs. My doctor asked me what I thought, and I stayed another night. I have had a lot of surgery in the past for other matters, am no wimp, but I have got to say: it would have been impossible for me to leave in 24 hours and take care of myself!!!I am relatively young ( 40's) and healthy otherwise. WHat about women who are older or who have less strength???
If men got ball-ectomies at the rate that breasts are removed, there would be 300 -thread count sheets and a mint on the pillow for at least 2 or 3 days.
Moogie
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Feb 16, 2007 05:08 PM nosurrender wrote:
I am looking for a hospital that does them!
I am having a bilateral with immediate recon on march 6th and I WANT to go home the next day!
I know- I am a weirdo!
jasmine
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,264
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Feb 16, 2007 07:09 PM, edited Jul 25, 2008 11:11 AM
by jasmine
This Post was deleted by jasmine.
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Feb 16, 2007 09:08 PM PNWKaren wrote:
I had a bilateral mastecomy with SNB last August, done as an outpatient surgery. Admitted to day surgery at 8 am, home in my own bed by 5 pm. It was one heck of long day but I really do believe my recovery was smoother and more comfortable due to being home. I had no complications and very little problems with pain control--was sent home with two drains and Percocet, was off the Percocet and on ibuprofen and tylenol within three days. The surgeon's office called to check on me on post op day one and had me come in for a follow up on day five. Certainly I do not feel it is appropriate for everyone--I have had surgery in the past and always recovered quickly--I also happen to be an RN who is married to an RN--we know how to manage surgical care and what to watch out for as problems. But I did very well and was glad it was an option for me.
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Feb 22, 2007 02:15 PM BJAlexandria wrote:
It's enlightening to read these messages! I truly believe that recovery at home (provided all else is considered!) is more healing than laying in a hospital bed. I was in 4 days with my bilateral/reconstruction and I went home with a germy infection, bad attitude and a HUGE bill. LOL
jl35
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2
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Feb 23, 2007 03:28 PM jl35 wrote:
Help...I'm scared with mastectomy scheduled for the end of March...I'm in my fifties, pretty good shape and just freaked out a bit at the whole idea of surgery...Any advice to make it easier?
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Feb 24, 2007 05:51 AM ArmyNavyMom wrote:
Don't worry, jl35, you'll be just fine.
When you go in for the surgery, be sure you ask all the questions that come to mind - even the ones you might think are stupid. There are no stupid questions in this instance.
Afterwards, be sure that your buddy is in the room when they give you discharge instructions - whether you stay overnight or go home the day of. That way you're covered if you don't remember something when you get home. Be sure you follow the instructions they give you regarding pain meds and exercise. Like the nausea with chemo, better to take the pain meds before it gets unbearable than to wait. Keep in mind that most pain meds will make you constipated. Stock up on fiber, prunes, MOM or what ever you like for that little problem.
You'll probably get to enjoy those lovelies known as drains. They are little tubes left in the skin and are attached to little squeezy bulbs that help remove the excess fluid from the surgical site. You'll want to be prepared with a way to support the little bulbs. Lots of ways to do that. There are several camisoles that have pockets in them for the drains. some folks use a safety pin and pin them to their shirt or bra. DO NOT PIN THEM TO YOUR PANTS!!!! Some people put them in a little fanny pack. If you are allowed to shower you can get a piece of rubber tubing and attach them to that or I used one of those nylon lanyards for whistles or keys to hold mine in the shower. The nurses will explain about emptying them and keeping track of the volume of fluid, etc. One more piece of advice - don't drop them when you are emptying them - trust me, it's an OWWWEEE! Some people have one, some two on a side. Depends on your surgeon and your body. They are not something that will ever be done for fun, and you will be very happy to get them out, but they are manageable.
Be sure that you have an assortment of pillows for propping your arm up. Many of us have found that sleeping in a recliner for a few days is more comfortable than the bed.
Hope that helps some. I had bilaterals in August and for me the hard part was not overdoing. I'm not a sitter, and the restrictions about not raising my arms over my head and lifting too much were hard to remember because I didn't feel that bad. I'm sure that the other ladies will have lots of other good suggestions for you to consider, as well.
Be sure to let us know the date of your surgery. I bet the magic carpet will bring a bunch of us by to be with you!
Hugs, and you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
Anne