My date is getting closer!

Hi everyone, just wanted to say I'm a little anxious my date is approaching. October 14! Will be having my blood work, chest xray, visit with anesthesia and my endoscopy on Thursday this week. Has any one been at Saint Raphael hospital in New Haven? Are their patient gowns sized for the plus sized person? Or should I bring my own? ALso in a semiprivate room are their phones and tv's? Thanks for any avaialable information. Sher

Don't be nervous Sher, you'll be in very good hands at St. Raphs. I won't lie to you, some of the night nurses are the pits. You have to keep pestering them to get you up to go to the bathroom or just get up and go yourself, but that is only the third shift. Everyone else was really great for me. The rooms have both TVs and phones. The gowns were fine for plus sizes so don't worry about bringing your own. You will want to bring chapstick or some sort of lip balm. Don't over pack things to do because you will be so tired you won't get to them. Maybe a book or magazines. You'll want to focus on walking when you are up. It really does make you feel better. Best wishes on Thursday. It will be here before you know it. Maggie

Maggie, so nice to hear from you. Thanks for the advice. I'm ready to do the walk, I am already breaking in my new walking sneakers. Thanks again Sher

Hey Sher, You will do great. Your in my thoughts and prayers through all this. I know at St Raph's they have bigger gowns. You can bring something to lounge in of your own, but depending on you. Make sure you bring a pillow for your tummy, you will need it for your coughing, sneezing, and your ride home. Make sure you bring chapstick for your lips too, they get very dry. You will do fine. There are phones and TVs in the room too, you may be too tired to even watch it. Good Luck and Welcome to the WLS Family. Your on your way to a wonderful and exciting journey to the losing side. Take care and God Bless Hugs KimC

Hi Kim, thanks for your advice. I am ready to join in the journey to the losing side! Thanks again Sher

Hi Sher! I had my WLS done by Dr. Naszam at St. Raphael' this past June. The group is awesome!! You will love everyone that you will work with- from Jessie to Diana the nutritionist! They have different gowns so they will fit anybody, you will have your own phone and TV (maybe you'll even get the "window seat"!) The nursing staff is great- in fact at least one of the nurses has had the surgery and she was a great resource and inspiration while I was there. It's weird, but most of the patients on the floor will be there for similar reasons- so you'll make friends fast! Please feel free to email me direct or through the messageboard if you have any other questions! Take care and good luck- I'll be thinking of you. -Erica

I agree with Maggie S. The weekend and evening nurses were a bit... I guess distracted would be the word, when I had my surgery in April. I had my surgery on a Friday so all I really saw was the weekend and evening nurses. But yes, there is actually one nurse who actually had the surgery so she was very encouraging and by Monday the "nice" nurses were there so it was fine. I was 350 when I had surgery and the gown was a little small but they gave me one for the front and one for the back and it was fine. You have your own phone and tv so thats cool. They have like 6 childcare channels which I thought was hilariuos but it was just what I needed in my morphine haze. Good luck! Its the best thing I ever could have done for myself, worth it all.