GBMC

Ok so I am more scared about the whole hospital experience then the surgery itself. Why- I don't know exactly. I have had my fair share of surgeries already.  6 actually. But all of them have been at another hospital. But all 6 at the same hospital. That hospital only had 1 bariatric surgeron, and I was not impressed. SO I adore the team I have chosen, but am literally having panic attacks about the hospital. Do they do tours? I know when I was pregnant we were able to tour the hospitals when we were deciding where to go. I have had some issues with anesthia, and I know that at the other hospital they would have access to all of the records. GBMC won't. I feel like I am freking out even know as I am thinking about this.  Can you get private rooms? Oh man I have like a zillion questions. Do you think that they have a time that you can meet the staff or nurses or something?

Try not to panic!  Not sure if GBMC offer tours or not, but I think most hospitals offer it. I had my surgery there and I was very pleased with everyone - the intake coordinators, pre-op nursing staff, anethesiologist, surgeon (*lol*), and especially the postop nursing staff. Perhaps you can get your records (regarding anesthia) sent to your surgeon and to the anethesiologist in advance. Best of luck!

I feel for you.  I haven't even been approved yet BUT when I have my surgery, it will be at a hospital I've never been too.  I have many of the same questions as you do. I can say my dad has been treated at GBMC many, many, many times and the experience has always been wonderful.  He's never been a bariatric patient but has been there for heart surgery...he was well cared for.  My only complaint about the hospital is their parking SUCKS...other than that, I've always liked it as far as hospitals go.   I know they offered tours of their maternity ward but not sure about other areas but I don't see why they wouldn't let you come in and see things even if they don't have official tours. Also, on the anesthesia concerns...my husband has allergies to many common types of anesthesia and we've been able to get specific records transferred from place to place.   Best of luck!!

I had a different Dr. but all of DVR's patients are given private rooms: Check with Dr. Roe.  As far as the records ask Dr Roe to request them from the hospital you had your other surguries at. The Drs and staff at GBMC are great:  except for the transport team I had but that was not the norm.

Hi Dee, I'll vouch for the staff at GBMC. I had great care and felt enough love with all the poking and prodding. The nurses work 12 hour shifts, so only two people had to get to know me the 36 hours I was in their care. Can't say if my positive attitude had anything to do with my care level, however I wanted to start walking soon after getting a room. Soon I was allowed to walk unsupervised. The rooms are designed for bariatric surgery patients with lots of space and an amazing bed that morphs into a chair. There is another bed in the room I was told may be used by a family member if desired. The trips out of my room for tests depended on someone to wheel me wherever I needed to be. There was some waiting here, but not terrible. The lady that took my blood was a pro. Overall I was impressed and since I was a self pay you can believe I'd have spoken up if there had been a problem. I hope this helps, Mark

Man you all are so great!

In a note of coincidence- A nurse from GBMC called today to verify all my information and to see if I had any questions. Boy - I think I had her on the phone for a good 15 minutes!

Feeling more at ease. But I hope that I can handle all this for the next 3 weeks.

You'll do great Dee :) I wish I could make it up there. I've tried to come up with ways BUT at this point I'm still gonna have my gtube and all and it's just not gonna be a good thing. Plus  I don't want to take the chance of getting sick or something while up there and A ) Passing it on to you or B) ending up needing to go to the hospital or something.  I love you though and please make sure B calls me as soon as possible and I'll update everyone here or something. I wish I could be there!!! I'm totally bummed!

Well-  I am bummed too. But you need to take care of YOU right now. I sure will miss you here- BUT I will be alright- Mrs. Carter will be taking the 3 oldest girls, and Rick and Kelly will have the baby. So I have someone for the week with the kids. Surgery is a Tuesday- I fiqure I will be home Thurs or Fri, SO Bill will be with me then and his parents are keeping the kids for the weekend. The following week is kinda up in the air right now. Rick and Kell are moving that weekend too.  I went to get all the girls hair cut- and had them trim mine- OMG they butchered it. It is terrible.  Gotta go see what I can do with it.  

My experience at GBMC was MOST EXCELLENT.  Although there was another bed in the room, they didn't put any patients in there with me -- so basically on the bypass surgery wing you had a private room -- although only billed for semi-private room.  The nursing staff and assistants were excellent  -- so fret not.  You can ask the bariatric clinic if they offer tours and see what they say.  You can always have your records transferred from the previous hospital to your GBMC surgery group -- they should have ALL information pertaining to your medical history. You can always ask Kathy; I'm sure she will be able to find out for you.  After all, it's for your piece of mine.

I had my surgery there and everything went fine. My only complaint was when I was discharged it took a very long time to get a wheelchair. So long, in fact, that I walked out myself after waiting two hours.  It is life changing. Good luck. Wanda