@A MyBCTeam Member - I think it is a combination of factors. If my pain had been controlled with the usual drugs (MS) I would have been fine to go home. I can sleep at home as well as in the surgery center (and certainly better than in any hospital).
Research in both Europe and the US has shown that patients recover faster and with fewer complications when they are sent home. It's safer to send someone home to the "germs" they know than to subject them to those they don't. Patients also learn to do more for themselves faster when they are sent home quicker.
I saw that in my son when he was an infant. He didn't know how to "protect" himself after major abdominal surgery and recovered much faster because he was always moving and active. Adults inherently immobilize themselves because it hurts and that can delay healing.
It was either during the Korean or Vietnam War that doctors figured out that patients heal better if they get up and move rather than vegetate in bed.
While I am glad that I could spend the night in the surgery center with care that trumps any hotel, I would have been better off at home after my pain was under control, than in a traditional hospital setting.

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A MyBCTea...

many have spoken about insurance driving the discharge time; that is partly true. I am a surgical nurse. I recover patients right out of the OR, stabilize them in an ICU and progress them as they are able. I've done this a long time and I'm good at it. My point here is that patients with similar surgeries can be VERY different in what is happens to them and what is best for them. Surgeons use different techniques, some result in a smoother recovery, others not. There are also very different combinations of anesthesia drugs, each drug given for a specific reason, with an individualized dose and having a specific duration. Some people take a long time to wake up, others not. Some have a lot of nausea/vomiting, others not. Some bleed, others not. Some have pain that is very difficult to get under control, others not. Occasionally other unpredictable things happen. This is a very complex, multi-factoral issue... when should the patient go home. So it makes perfect sense to me that all you ladies' stories vary quite a bit. Taking care of patients is like a good cook; starts with an ingredient list but knows how to tweak the recipe, to adjust for differences in stoves, cookware, how to adjust the heat, different sized pieces all getting cooked properly. So what was right for you, may not be right for me. The best rule is safety! Can i get out of bed and go to the bathroom safely? Can I eat and keep it down? Is my pain under reasonable control? (It is unsafe for someone to be left with very high levels of pain--can't move, difficult to call for help, etc) Do I have someone I can call for help? And your living situation matters... do you live alone? Are you far from medical assistance if you need it? Is someone available to call to help you or drive you somewhere? So when you are in hospital and your doctor wants to discharge you, these are the considerations. Give your input, tell your caregivers how it's going... "I had breakfast but I felt like I was going to throw up". The more clearly and directly you interact with your caregivers, the better care you will receive.

I agree with Colleen! I had a double mastectomy with expanders a d 2 drains. I was released within 24 hours. I managed my pain well and I had my daughter with me for a few days. One drain was removed in a week. Unfortunately the other is being stubborn and continues to put out too much fluid so they still are not able to remove it. It's now 2 weeks. We're shooting for Friday. I also believe that my home has less germs than the hospital

I had double mastectomy, no expanders. I went home same day but I was pretty much out of it. I had family & friends staying with me. I did have a hematoma that required surgery 2 weeks later. My recovery went well after that. I was shocked about coming home but my surgeon said it worked well for most women. I did well. I have not had reconstruction, it has been 2 years. I am in no rush. Lost job, found cancer, out of work 17 months, lost my mom, finally sold my house. I need a little (or alot) of calm before I jump in again. I am doing well!!

Going straight home would have been a nightmare for me. I didn't have anywhere to sleep that I'd be comfortable, I would have had no help, stress and no peace.

I feel that after anything invasive or traumatic to the body, we deserve to take some time to recover. This rush rush, go go society is not a positive environment for healing or peaceful recovery.

There are places that are much more relaxed, the pace of life is slowed down, stress is low and life spans are much higher.

I was discharged the day after surgery, but was glad for the extended stay away from home. I needed that time to feel better. To manage my pain & drains, plus it was more restful than it would have been at my house.