Surgery while on Diversion?

Nurses Recovery

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After being out too many times due to throat infections and URIs, my ENT recommended I schedule a tonsillectomy. I am going to wait until after the new year since the holidays are busy at work. I read online that this is very painful and will likely require narcotics. Part of me wants to wait until I'm off diversion to avoid the hassle. Will the DEC give a hard time about this? I will complete diversion in March. On the other hand if I schedule surgery in January, I will have the accountability of the program. I am also honestly terrified of telling my dr that I'm in this program. Any thoughts on this?

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I had my tonsils out in my late 20's and although was painful it wasn't that painful and no way was narcotics required. I made do with over the counter analgesia

Hi, I had surgery twice while in Diversion. They had me write a relapse prevention plan and have it approved by my CM prior. I faxed in a copy of my script and that was it. I believe you had to stay off work for at least 3 days after stopping the meds. May have had to have a clean UA as well. Many people have someone hold their meds and had them out according to the RX so there is no temptation. This is a good idea, IMHO in or out of Diversion.

I had a baby while in TPAPN. Before the delivery, my case manager told me I would need to have my discharge paperwork faxed to her with all the meds I was given during the admission. Then I would need a clean UA to go back to work. I followed those directions, had a clean UA postpartum, and went back to work after 6 weeks. Talk to your case manager about it. It is a pain not being able to work until you get a clean UA, but being in the program kept me accountable. I took only the Vicodin's offered to me at the hospital and didn't ask for a home prescription. I didn't need them, but it helped knowing I couldn't go back to work if I kept taking them. It's a toss up I suppose.

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