Usually A Lurker

Hey everyone I really don't post much but I read the post every few days so I feel that I know most of you but ya'll dont know me. I just found out that medicaid approved me for RNY surgery with Dr. Ordyne. I am a full time college student so I am waiting until after finals in may (the 8th) to have my surgery. I live aborut 4 1/2 horurs away and my sister has to take off work to take me to Covington so I wanted to ask Christie, Ashley or Diane (or anyone who knows) how often and how soon do you go back for follow up visits with Dr. Ordyne. Also my sister and my three year old son will be coming with me when I have my surgery and we were checking on hotels for them and the ones in Covington are either closed or really expensive (according to the internet). I was wondering does anyone know a town close by Covington where the hotels are not too expensive? , Also I was looking for weekly rates. Any help would be appreciated, you guys are wonderful people.

Hi...first of all congrats on your surgery approval!!! I love Dr. Ordoyne. He is wonderful, so is the nutritionist, Joanna. I went back a week post op and 5 weeks post op and that was my last post op visit. My next is at 3 months. I have no idea about hotels around there. I live an hour away and that is not nearly as bad as your 4 and hour drive. Diane lives in Covington, maybe she can give you some ideas on hotels. I think you'll be just fine and do wonderful with your surgery! Keep us posted! Christie 340/283/170

Check with the hospital of your surgery for an idea b/c they may have a deal with a local hotel to discount to patients. I had my sugery in New Orleans East at Methodist just before Katrina and they had a special rate with Holiday Inn Express. Unfortunately haven't been to the New Orleans area since my surgery so no idea on what's up and running. Welcome to the board, I lurked and read for a long time before I posted. I'm very cautious with the internet and just joined myspace recently. http://www.myspace.com/tkdblk2002 Good luck with everything, I miss college -- why won't someone just pay me to go to college, huh?! Anne 254/175/1??

Hey Mona, Glad you are finally posting , I know there are probably alot of lurkers and we need more people to post. Well first of all congrats on your surgery date,,, I also was a full time college student but since I had some complciations I was forced to drop... THAT SUCKS,,,,, Well as far as hotels I believe any in the this area or around new orleans , whi*****ludes convington/mandeville area is going to be pretty pricy right now,, Maybe I should suggest trying a outside area,, I don't know the few exits right before the exit to the hospital but I am sure diane knows since she lives there. If you have to try somewhere closer to livingston,holden area,,, things like that. If there is anything I can help you with , please let me know ,, if you need someone in the hospital with you or something brought to you let me know. Also about the follow up visits , well of course they are different for everyone ,, depending on how your surgery goes ,,, If everything goes great I would think 2-3 weeks and then he goes again by 2-5 weeks depending on the previous visit. You definitly can't go by my schedule b/c I had a few complcations and was at the hospital every week anyway!!! But you'll be pleased to know it had nothing to do with Dr. O,, or the surgery ,, its just that I am keloid and had alot of scar tissue.. but Dr. O is awesome and we now have it down to a science!!!! Good luck and keep us updated!

Mona All the motels in the Covington area are booked because of hurricane workers. There will not be any vacancy in the area anywhere except sometimes the Marriott Courtyard has rooms on a night to night basis. Call your docs office they may have some knowledge to night to night opening. Most of the rooms are under contract to companies. I did not use your surgeon put know you will have to have a preop visit and assume you will probally be in the hospital for 1-2 nights without complications. If your surgery is Lap you should be able to go home the day you are released. Be strong and positive--bj

hi, there is a hotel called friendly inn near hammond la, about 20minutes from covington, its around 45$, but im not sure how nice it is, you can check prices by calling them... i also know sometimes if the hospital knows you are going to have family, sometimes they offer rooms to family ( i work at a hospital) good luck... rhonda