Dissatisfied with Christiana Hospital Rooms

Am I the only one unhappy with Christiana Hospital? I read all of the reviews before I went in (June 7), and my stay was most uncomfortable. The bed I was in was so horrible that I was crying the night before I was released. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't get comfortable in the bed, when I did my walking or went to the bathroom, the room was so cramped I snagged my roommates curtain as I went by and had to unsnag it my self by reaching way up over my head. I have scratches on the backs of my legs from getting in and out of bed where the equipment scratched me, and it is a real safety hazzard to have people dragging iv carriers past chair legs and such with only 6 inches to spare. I think I was on the 3rd floor--maybe that was the problem. I was getting claustrophobic by the time I left. When I got home I was so exhausted that I slept the entire day (I did wake to get liquids in--my phone kept ringing anyway). Other than that, the surgery went real well, I am in very little pain, and am sooooo glad to be home. T.

I totally agree.The rooms are to small and cramped.The beds are very uncomfortable.For as many surgeries that are done there w/obese people they should have bigger accomadations.But I was very happy w/ the staff. Good luck and get plenty of rest soon your hospital stay will be a distant memory. Cathy

Hi Cathy, Thanks for your kind words and support. I feel so good right now that I am going to put it behind me like a bad memory. I have graduated to pureed foods and so far (fingers crossed) am doing well. I hope to have a new followup picture like you do (after 50 lbs or so). teri

T, Christiana is not a 5 star hotel. Even though the room charge is more than a hotel. LOL. Sorry the bed was not comfortable. I was closer to the bathroom. Tina was near the window. I think she had a harder time than I did getting around. More stuff to get around. Thank God it was only a couple days. Getting home and showering was awesome. Sleeping in your own bed is always the best. Some of us have to sleep in a lounge chair for a month. They are too uncomfortable to lie down. Consider yourself lucky to have had Lap surgey. It is a speedy recovery. Hope you stay well. Elissa

Hi Elissa, Yes, I agree taking a shower and sleeping in your own bed is the best. I was so glad they turned me loose a day earlier because they would have had to heavily sedate me too get me to stay. I guess I have a tendance to claustraphobia too, but the only time I have ever felt panicky was being crammed in the back of a movie theater lobby. I am doing great now that I am home. I even feel good enough to do light chores today, and have hardly any pain. Thank you for your support and advice. Teri

Did you take advantage of the pain control they offer? I found that staying on top of that made things a lot more comfortable. But when I waited until I was already in pain everything seemed worse. I found the 2nd day to be the worst & the only way I was comfortable was sitting on the edge of the bed - which I did most of that day. But, you have to remember you are just coming out of a major surgery and your body is going to be sore regardless. I have personally never met a hospital bed that I thought was comfortable although some are worse then others. There is not much in the way of extra room but I found there to be enough. I unplugged & plugged in my IV pole myself rather then waiting for assistace after the 1st day and that was probably the most uncomfortable stretching I did but I didn't feel it was hazardous. I'm sorry your stay after the surgery was not more comfortable but I find that people's experience seem to vary widely. Some people love the staff - some people had to deal with rude employees. Luck of the draw I guess. I had a bad experience with a broken bed just after coming out of surgery but that was the worst I delt with. Overall I was pleased with the care I received at Christiana after my WLS. Hope you are feeling better soon & up & about. Remember now that you are home walking is still very important as is deep breathing & sipping fluids. If you can't get comfy in bed at home either, try a recliner or semi upright on a couch or chair with lots of cushions. I was is a recliner for almost 2 weeks when I came home because my ribs hurt so much that pulling myself up from a laying flat position just hurt too much. It was a life saver. Take care! Kathy V.

Hi Kathy, Yes, I did take advantage of the pain medications. I even asked for a sleeping pill the last night I was there. I think it was just the luck of the draw in getting a funky bed. Since I have been home I feel wonderful. I sleep very well in my bed and only have minor problems getting up out of livingroom chairs. Taking a shower felt wonderful. I don't feel too much pain and so far (knock on wood) have not had problems with eating. Actually, I feel well enough to do light laundry and such. I am trying to curtail myself. Basically, Their rooms are just too small for two people who are both carting an iv cart. My neighbor was even more uncomfortable.

Actually I was on a different floor than you because they were in the process of remodeling the GSB section. I do know that they already use special beds for us big people. Sorry you had such a bad experience but use it as your incentive to stay on track and out of the hospital. If they made it too comfortable, people wouldn't get up and get walking. My roommate for my surgery was a stabbing victim who had at least 20 visitors in the evening and was on some sort of lung fluid replacement device. He had a 20-piece fried chicken meal the first night, and visits from several of our fine state police force. So the beds and the size of the room are all relative. Remember one of the reasons that we get the surgery is because we are rather large people (at least I was) and didn't quite fit so well in a normal environment. People are afraid to use the pain pump but it does help alleviate pain in the back. Leaving the hospital just makes the arrival at home so much more enjoyable and that first night in your own bed a dream. Just words, Rob

Amen to that, Rob. I felt like I was in heaven in my own bed. I have felt wonderful since being home (3 days now). I even took my first walk outside today. The hardest part of this program is getting the correct amount of protein--but that should get better with practice. I never have a hard time using the pain pump, I learned from knee surgery that if you wait until you are in pain it's too late. I am not even using my pain meds today at home--I don't need it. Just getting up and moving around does the trick. My knees already feel much better. Thanks for the encouragement, it really helps to have people who have already gone through the process. Teri

Teri, Good to hear you are home and doing well. As far as the hospital beds go ... it was not a picnic for me either ... but that is all a distant memory now. I think the hospital has plans to revamp. I know when I was there, they sent in some biggies to question me about my stay. They said that they were trying to become more bariatric surgery/larger size friendly. I was glad to see that they were making an effort to accomadate us. I was one of those that used a recliner at home for a week or so ... really helped me a lot!!! Keep up the good work and enjoy your new found life!!! Hugs, Tammy