For those who had their WLS at Christiana Hospital...

 Hi! My surgery is scheduled for December 21-which is right around the corner. And I am scheduled for Christiana Hospital.  I have a few questions for those who have had their surgery already about Christiana Hospital

1-What was recovery like?  Did they have you in a private area, or where there others around?
2-Were your friends and family able to see you when you came out of anesthesia?

3-What were your patient rooms like?  Were you given a private room or did you have to share?
4-Were you able to drink anything after surgery?  Did the hospital provide soups/broths/jello?
5-How was the nursing staff?  Were they friendly or no?

6-How long was your stay (I know different insurances have different requirements. I'm on Medicaid)
7-Was your spouse allowed to stay overnight?

And you can give me any other thoughts of what your stay was like. I would like to know what to expect before I head in :) Thanks!

I have not had my surgery yet, but I did work at Christiana Hospital for a couple years before I moved to my outpatient role....so maybe I can help you with some of your questions.... 

Patient rooms are pretty nice overall - the prettiest ones are in the E tower.....I'm not sure where the WLS patients are housed..... but I will say, I liked the room setups in the hospital as a whole.  Even the semi-private rooms are a pretty good size. 

The hospital will provide clears for you - since I'm sure they have to be sure you can tolerate them before you are discharged.  The nutrition staff are great.

And finally, with any hospital the nursing staff can be a concern.  All the nurses I worked with were great when I was there.  I only worked during day shift nursing....but they were sweet.  

I'm still trying to figure out how long I'll be at CH after my procedure......I have to ask Dr. Irgau that one. 

Hope this helps!  Good luck with things.....and what a Merry Christmas this will be for you!!  Grats!

Laur  =)

 I think in my lifeskills/nutrition classes they said something about the WLS patients being put in wing E. :)  But thanks for the response

You're right, your surgery is right around the corner!
I had my surgery Nov 26, 2007 at Christiana Hospital.

To answer some of your questions:
1-  Recovery was pretty easy.   I don't remember most of it, I was fading in and out from the anesthesia.
2-  As soon as I was released from recovery, my husband was right there for me.
3-  You are always in a private room.
4-  Nothing to eat right after surgery.  The next day you start your fluids, 1oz at a time.  Believe me, you are not interested in eating!
5-  The nursing staff is WONDERFUL.  They are great.
6-  My surgery was Monday and I went home Wednesday.
7-  No clue?  We have kids so my husband had to care for them.

My one advice for you is, when the staff comes in, in the middle of the night, have them get you up to walk or they will finish rounds and then come back to get you up.

Good luck!

 Thanks!

 Chrias has a whole ward on 7E (brand new) dedicated for their patients. 

1- Recovery was hazy due to the meds. 
2- Yes I was able to have visitors as soon as I was in my room
3- Patient rooms in 7E are amazing, brand new very nice. The TVs are all touchscreen with internet access.
4- I started drinking the day after surgery.
5- The staff was amazing
6-I had an additional stay due to some residual GI bleeding
7-My room had a pull out sofa in it and my wife never left. 

 pull out sofa=awesome!  my husband better not leave

last time i was in christiana, which was last november, it was because of my stroke-and they wouldnt let my husband stay :(

 I was recently back in the hospital on the bariatric floor for an overnight stay. The room I was in that night did not have a pull out sofa, but I'm sure they would bring in some kind of chair.