I have heard of it. The great thing about technology is so many surgeries are becoming less invasive. I've had 1 outpatient surgery (Tubal Ligation) and it was a great cost saver and I woke up and felt OK relatively quickly but with a spinal surgery I would be a little more leary of leaving the same day.

I did a Google search for "Outpatient Spinal Fusion" and "Outpatient Spinal Surgery" and found more info.

I'm interested in hearing from someone here who may have had it, or is scheduled to have it? Is it pretty common or fairly new? I'm seeing the surgeon the 1st to find out exactly what kind of surgery I need.

I'm having a laminectomy and discectomy next week as an outpatient. I am not a big proponent of this, although I admit, it is a good cost saver. A lady I know had a double mastectomy here a few months ago on an outpatient basis. I don't know, I'd say a few people have died due to this practice. But, like it or not, it's the wave of the future.

Wow, I can't believe that they did this outpatient...seems like a lot of stuff is becoming outpatient. I had the spinal fusion done on at least 12 segments so I spent six days in the hosp. 3 were in ICU. I dont know how they can do even this little bit outpatient. This is something else! T.

i call the outpatient stuff the cut you up open stitch you up and toss you out. thats how i always felt about it.
i just think they send people home way too fast now days.
before you know it, the surgeons will be operating on you in your own homes.

I was actually scheduled for this surgery next month but had to cancel because my employer would only let me have sick leave without pay. And since we don't have disability insurance to cover me if things went wrong, I decided not to take the risk.

There are a couple of different techniques for the minimally invasive fusion surgery. The neurosurgeon I was working with does everything thru a tube about the diameter of a quarter. You go home the same day as your surgery and they claim to have you back to work in 1 to 2 weeks. They've done more than 500 of these fusions and have never had to do a blood transfusion and have only had one infection.

It seems to be the way to go if you're gonna have it done. Google Aurora Spine Center in Tupelo, MS to read up on how this particular doc is doing it. They're also doing it at UAB but their technique is a little more invasive and they keep you in the hospital overnight.

If you have any other questions, just email me and I'll be happy to share what I learned.

My lumbar fusion L4/L5 was done outpatient in 05. I'm not saying it should have been done that way - but it was. The kicker was I had to be driven 40 miles home after release, which was I believe around 10 p.m.
I had a cervical fusion this July and was allowed to stay overnight in the hospital, but my neuro only gave me 2 days recovery before I was to go back to school on the city bus. I think my doctor is a sadist.