Anyone willing to share their GBMC hospital experience?
My surgery is set for august 19th. I am totally not ready -trying to get caught up with work before I leave and Dr. appointments etc.
But what I want to to know is what will my experience be like at GBMC? Also, my husband wants to stay with me at the hospital - well I want him to.
Thanks for sharing ,
Angie
But what I want to to know is what will my experience be like at GBMC? Also, my husband wants to stay with me at the hospital - well I want him to.
Thanks for sharing ,
Angie
Hi Angie,
No experience with GBMC, but wanted to say Hi and welcome. Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery!
Hugs, Mo
No experience with GBMC, but wanted to say Hi and welcome. Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery!
Hugs, Mo
Comparison is the thief of joy!
If we spend our time comparing our life/weight loss/body to others, we totally miss what WE have accomplished. Keep in mind how far you have come and what you can do now that you couldn't do weeks/months/years ago. I hate the expression " It's all good", but in this case it fits! Wherever you are in your journey ... It's ALL good!!!
Angie,
Congrats to you for taking the big plunge! I'm sure everything will go smoothly - haven't heard of many not going well.
GBMC is overall a great hospital! Parking can be kinda crazy, and a little maze-like to get there from your ward in the hospital, but it's fine once you get your bearings. Everything went well except for these two things:
1. The first nurse I had in the evening after my surgery and into my first morning didn't speak English very well. It was hard to understand her, so I wasn't able to understand her when she told me I should use the little device to improve my breathing every hour. It wasn't until the afternoon after the shift change that my new nurse asked if I'd been working on the breathing exercises. I told Dr. Moein about it and he indicated other patients had the same experience with the nurse. Oh well.
2. I was informed I would have a room to myself, even if there was another bed in it, and so someone else could stay the night and sleep in the other bed next to me. The room they rolled me into only had a tiny loveseat and no bed. So my fiance didn't sleep over. Luckily, I live in Towson, so he just went home for the night. Actually, it was probably better for him in the long run since the nurses came into my room to take vitals so frequently - he probably wouldn't have been able to get any restful sleep that night!
But overall, their staff is nice and the rooms are pretty good. Good luck to you!!
Congrats to you for taking the big plunge! I'm sure everything will go smoothly - haven't heard of many not going well.
GBMC is overall a great hospital! Parking can be kinda crazy, and a little maze-like to get there from your ward in the hospital, but it's fine once you get your bearings. Everything went well except for these two things:
1. The first nurse I had in the evening after my surgery and into my first morning didn't speak English very well. It was hard to understand her, so I wasn't able to understand her when she told me I should use the little device to improve my breathing every hour. It wasn't until the afternoon after the shift change that my new nurse asked if I'd been working on the breathing exercises. I told Dr. Moein about it and he indicated other patients had the same experience with the nurse. Oh well.
2. I was informed I would have a room to myself, even if there was another bed in it, and so someone else could stay the night and sleep in the other bed next to me. The room they rolled me into only had a tiny loveseat and no bed. So my fiance didn't sleep over. Luckily, I live in Towson, so he just went home for the night. Actually, it was probably better for him in the long run since the nurses came into my room to take vitals so frequently - he probably wouldn't have been able to get any restful sleep that night!
But overall, their staff is nice and the rooms are pretty good. Good luck to you!!
Hi Angie -
Welcome to the Maryland Board!!! My surgeon was Dr. David Von Rueden, at GBMC when I had my surgery 3 years ago, but now at St. Agnes. I assume that Dr. Roe's patients stay in the bariatric wing (Unit 48), as do DVR's and Dr. Moen's patients. If that's the case, my experience was great. My surgery was on a Tuesday, I was in my room by 7:30 p.m. from recovery, up walking around at 10:30 with a nurse, and then on my own after that.
Nothing by mouth until the next day. My leak test was at 8:00 a.m., and it wasn't bad - obviously, you have to drink stuff similar to the barium swallow, but again, not too bad. DVR read my results and glory to God, at 2 p.m., I was given a s/f popsicle, s/f jello and flavored water. It was like manna from heaven. You also get explicit instructions from the nurse along with a medicine cup to drink your fluids from. You'll be shocked at how little you'll actually be able to drink.
As far as someone staying with you, well, the rooms are set up for two people so you can have that if you want. My Mom came up with me, but the first night, I needed something, and I couldn't wake her up, she was in such a deep sleep!! LOL!! No help!! I sent her home the next day and spent that night by myself. It was fine.
The ride home wasn't bad, I really wasn't sore, except some discomfort from the JP drain - not sure if Dr. Roe's patients have that or not.
I'm sure you'll hear stories about the nursing care or lack thereof, but mine was fine, no complaints!
Hope this helps,
Teresa (Tia)
Welcome to the Maryland Board!!! My surgeon was Dr. David Von Rueden, at GBMC when I had my surgery 3 years ago, but now at St. Agnes. I assume that Dr. Roe's patients stay in the bariatric wing (Unit 48), as do DVR's and Dr. Moen's patients. If that's the case, my experience was great. My surgery was on a Tuesday, I was in my room by 7:30 p.m. from recovery, up walking around at 10:30 with a nurse, and then on my own after that.
Nothing by mouth until the next day. My leak test was at 8:00 a.m., and it wasn't bad - obviously, you have to drink stuff similar to the barium swallow, but again, not too bad. DVR read my results and glory to God, at 2 p.m., I was given a s/f popsicle, s/f jello and flavored water. It was like manna from heaven. You also get explicit instructions from the nurse along with a medicine cup to drink your fluids from. You'll be shocked at how little you'll actually be able to drink.
As far as someone staying with you, well, the rooms are set up for two people so you can have that if you want. My Mom came up with me, but the first night, I needed something, and I couldn't wake her up, she was in such a deep sleep!! LOL!! No help!! I sent her home the next day and spent that night by myself. It was fine.
The ride home wasn't bad, I really wasn't sore, except some discomfort from the JP drain - not sure if Dr. Roe's patients have that or not.
I'm sure you'll hear stories about the nursing care or lack thereof, but mine was fine, no complaints!
Hope this helps,
Teresa (Tia)
Hi Angie,
You and someone dear to me will be having surgery the very same day but the other person will be having surgery at St. Agnes. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
I had surgery at GBMC and I wish I had my husband stayed with me the night. I had small kids so he needed to go home to them.
The day nurses were fantastic they were always there for me.
The night nurse that was totally the opposite and I went through hell the first night. But I complained and the next night was a different story. There was another bed in the room so someone could stay overnight.
But overall it was a great experience.
Wishing you all thebest in your journey.
You and someone dear to me will be having surgery the very same day but the other person will be having surgery at St. Agnes. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
I had surgery at GBMC and I wish I had my husband stayed with me the night. I had small kids so he needed to go home to them.
The day nurses were fantastic they were always there for me.
The night nurse that was totally the opposite and I went through hell the first night. But I complained and the next night was a different story. There was another bed in the room so someone could stay overnight.
But overall it was a great experience.
Wishing you all thebest in your journey.
I am who I am and accept my feelings wholeheartedly.
Those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind.
Cira 249/144.0 current/goal 154/ 5'3" 10 lbs below my Dr's goal
I had surgery on 4.9.08 with Dr. Moein at GBMC. The only real problem was that I was in recovery for HOURS because they didn't have a room available for me (the previous person ended up taking a long time to be discharged). But other than that it was pretty uneventful. My husband stayed with me both nights. He complained about being woken up when the nurses came in, but at least he wasn't in pain! That little pain pump button couldn't be pried out of my hand, but the pain wasn't really *that* bad. It was nice to have my H there because he helped me pull up my underwear and stuff that kind of hurt to do. But he spent a damn lot of money eating in the cafeteria. Tell your husband to pack snacks!
Otherwise, my experience was pretty similar to Tia's.
You'll be fine! Good luck!
Otherwise, my experience was pretty similar to Tia's.
You'll be fine! Good luck!
Hi Angie,
A close friend of mine has his surgery in GBMC with Dr. Von Reuden this past December. My friend had several serious comorbidities and a pace-maker, and so Dr. V had him in the ICU following surgery. The care at GBMC ICU was extaordinary. Dr. V stopped by to see him at least once a day and the nurses were very attentive and helpful. He too, though, had to wait for a room and stayed in recovery longer than he would have liked. When I went to visit him I had to look all over to find him because the room he told me he was in, he was moved from it to ICU, but it all worked out well. I hear that you can have a family member stay with you in your room at GBMC. Best of luck on the 19th!!! You must be excited! Soon you will be a LOSER!
A close friend of mine has his surgery in GBMC with Dr. Von Reuden this past December. My friend had several serious comorbidities and a pace-maker, and so Dr. V had him in the ICU following surgery. The care at GBMC ICU was extaordinary. Dr. V stopped by to see him at least once a day and the nurses were very attentive and helpful. He too, though, had to wait for a room and stayed in recovery longer than he would have liked. When I went to visit him I had to look all over to find him because the room he told me he was in, he was moved from it to ICU, but it all worked out well. I hear that you can have a family member stay with you in your room at GBMC. Best of luck on the 19th!!! You must be excited! Soon you will be a LOSER!
I had my surgery at GBMC 8 months ago. My experiences were just as everyone else posted. The day nurses were stellar. One night nurse was great, but the one that doesn't speak very well turned my IV way up and made me have to pee every 30 minutes. They were all attentive to anything I needed, but let me do what I wanted to do for myself, which I like. The room I had did have the 2nd bed. I didn't ask anyone to stay, and since they came in and out during the night and showed up at 5am for blood draws both mornings, I'm sure nobody missed being woken up by that. I didn't really need anything during the night though.
Hugs!
Kathy
Kathy
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