Double mastectomy outpatient?

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited December 2016 in Surgery - Before, During, and After
Double mastectomy outpatient?
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  • Husband412
    Husband412 Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2016

    Hello. My wife was diagnosed with DCIS in one breast and is having a bilateral skin sparing mastectomy Dec 19, without reconstruction. (PS won't be available until February). She could have it in a hospital with an overnight stay or in a center as an outpatient. The surgeon recommends outpatient, says less risk of catching something. Does this sound right? I kind of agree with the Dr, but i want to hear from people who have experience. We are in Pittsburgh PA

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited November 2016

    You'll hear different opinions here, but I had bilateral with no reconstruction outpatient, also at my surgeon's suggestion in order to avoid illness/infections in the hospital and for my comfort. I did this and it was fine. I knew I had the option to be admitted if I needed it. I was very happy to be home and not to have to spend the night in the hospital.

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  • Melinda0628
    Melinda0628 Member Posts: 67
    edited November 2016

    Well speaking from very recent experience, I had my BMX 5 days ago. I stayed 1 night in the hospital and for me I am glad I was admitted. The first 24 hours is tough, but my nurses and cnas were amazing. I went home the next day.

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited December 2016

    Honestly, I cannot imagine not spending the first night in the hospital after this surgery. With that said, it might be easier if I knew that I could stay if something went wrong that would be helpful. I just think the anxiety would get to me about going home so soon. The other thing though, as far as infection....I did end up with an infection, so maybe if I had gone home that would have been avoided? No way to know I'm sure....

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  • Melinda0628
    Melinda0628 Member Posts: 67
    edited December 2016

    I didnt have recon yet, waiting to make sure the cancer is gone. I don't really want to have more surgery, this was my first surgery ever. My plan is to treat, and then I'll decide to do the Recon.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited December 2016

    I had the option too and opted for the hospital. While it usually is an outpt procedure, since they couldn't say for sure it would be I opted not to go outpt. The outpt center is across the street from the hospital and I wasn't wanting to possibly deal with an ambulance transfer. I wound up being in for 2 nights because mainly the pain was too much for me. I too was told about not being in the hospital more than you have to be because you can catch something else. That's a given. At the hospital if you are able to go home then you go. They don't just keep you overnight because you are in the hospital. And if you do need a night, they don't pair a post op pt with someone in which you can contract something from, at least not my hospital. You could ask how they do it there. So I took my own Purell bottle santizer and was careful about how I used the bathroom and such. I'm glad I did, not just because I wound up having a 2 night stay, but because the care I received when I needed it and how I needed it is not what I would have received at home. The drains freaked me out and my bro too. So more time for us to get the hang of it and get over being grossed out with the RN, is one example.

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  • warrior6
    warrior6 Member Posts: 18
    edited December 2016

    I had a double mastectomy 10/20/2016 with immediate reconstruction (1 stage), had an overnight stay in the hospital for pain control....plus it was an opportunity for my husband to get a good night sleep before I came home, because surgery day is long for everyone. There is a lot of pain...and adjusting to how you will sleep...getting in and out of bed, these are big surgeries and for me the first 31/2 weeks were tough...2 drains in for almost 3 weeks, figuring showering without getting my chest wet, and for me I still need my hair washed at least every 3 days, which my husband die. My husband was such a help, and I really needed it. I'm out 6 weeks tomorrow, my reconstruction went well...I do need to do some radiation to my armpit area, that will come in a couple of weeks.

    take care....

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  • dragonsnake
    dragonsnake Member Posts: 159
    edited December 2016

    I had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction. Surgeon offered an outpatient procedure, but I decided to stay overnight in the hospital. Could have done the outpatient mastectomy, though. I did not need strong pain killers. Was given ketorolac four times, and have taken extra strong Tylenol for a week or so afterward. Two drains were removed after one week.

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  • ravzari
    ravzari Member Posts: 277
    edited December 2016

    I had a BMX with no reconstruction and it was done outpatient at a surgery center; I did stay overnight as well.

    The difference between inpatient and outpatient seems to be insurance billing technicalities from what I've been able to figure out, and has little to do with how major the operation is. They don't always want to pay for inpatient if you're not having reconstruction, if you don't have a reason to need to be in a hospital (which is more expensive than a surgery center/outpatient facility), or if you're not high risk for having complications that would require you be in a hospital as opposed to an outpatient surgery center.

    They told me mine would be outpatient as I wasn't high risk for having complications and wasn't having reconstruction (so it's a 'less invasive', shorter procedure).

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  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited December 2016

    I had dmx with start of reconstruction, no overnight stay. Unfortunately, I developed an infection anyway. I then stayed several days in the hospital, and was very glad to come home!!

    I think she is better off going home!

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  • Nulyte
    Nulyte Member Posts: 62
    edited December 2016

    I had my BMX 11/14 - I was offered outpatient or overnight and I'm glad I chose overnight. I had an allergic reaction during the night and was glad I was there.. on the pain side I only took Tylenol and was fine. Everything else went well. We were also 45 min from the hospital so that also influenced my decision. My surgery was at 1:30 Monday and I was home by 3pm Tuesday.
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  • Husband412
    Husband412 Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2016

    Thank you all. She decided to change to have it done at a hospital, and a week earlier too. Thank you all.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited December 2016

    I'm glad I stayed overnight. I had BMX without recon. I was extremely nauseated for many hours after surgery. I really needed nursing care who could treat me with IV meds.

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