Riverside Bariatrics program anyone?

Hi, My name is Stephanie and I'm currently going through the bariatric program at Riverside Hospital in Columbus. I'm going to have the lap band surgery. If anyone is going through Riverside's program or has already been through it and had your surgery, please contact me. i'd love to hear how everyone is doing. I'm still going through the nutritionist visits. My last is May 24. Once that's done, the insurance approval will follow. I'm impatient and wish May 24 would get here quickly! Stephanie

Hello Stephanie....Dr. Myer did my surgery March 21st (rny)...I seem to be doing ok. He did a great job and Riverside was great. Fresh Start is a good program and I looked into alot of them. They are having growing pains because they haven't been in the Columbus area long. They came from Mansfield to head up the new program in Columbus. I had pain for about 4 days because I didn't take anything for it till about a day and a half after surgery. Just do what they tell you and you'll do just fine. Dave

Hi Stephanie. I read your reply to one of my posts and I sent you an email (just yesterday - Thursday). I have been a little busy this week, sorry. I am going through Dr. Myers' program and I'm having surgery on Monday April 30th (only 3 days away!!!). I am having the LapBand procedure done, at Riverside! I have been very impressed with Fresh Start's program and all the people there. I was very fortunate that the insurance part was a breeze - I had an approval in 2 days!!! And scheduled surgery for 3 weeks later. I can't believe it's already here! Good luck to you and keep in touch! We can be LapBand Buddies!!! talk to you soon, Nicole PS - what part of Columbus are you from?

Hi Stephanie, I had the Roun-y on April 10 w/ Dr. Myers and to be honest with you his staff is great. But the stay at Riverside was the nightmare from hell. The day time staff was great but the night time nurses were mean and had no sympothy for you. I'm not trying to scare you but I complained to Rosa and to the hospital. I knew I had to walk every two hours and I knew that I was the only one responsible in gaining my strength back to normal but let me tell you-- Not all of the night shift was bad, but the night shift does not check on you or come to your aid as the day shift did at least for me they didn't. I was there for 4 nights and 5 days because one night they checked my blood sugars and decided I had diabeties. I kept telling them I was healthy as a horse and there is no way in hell you are going to wake me out my sleep and give my a inslin shot in my stomach where I just had surgery, so I went off and told them to call Dr. Myers and he explained to me sometimes after surgery your blood surgars can get high but it will go away in time but they should not be trying to give me any shots in my stomach so I ended up getting them in my hips for about 3 days and things went back to normal just pay attention and only take pain meds when you really need them, stay alert for any and everything they try to do to you.

Hi LaNiya, I had my surgery at the Barix Center, but Dr Myer removed adhesions and did a hernia repair for me 6 weeks ago, He is great but I agree with you On the 3rd shift nursing.. I had one who would not listen to me and was rude. Did you get a Press Gainy evaluation? If you do, fill it out and comment on the care at night. I tried not to rate them too low as it affects all shifts and even taking off one point makes a huge difference in the score. If you rememer names... for complaint or compliment put them down. If you don't get a Press Gainy (they are sent out randomly) then write a letter. Also Dr Myers is very concerned that his patients get good care. He was wonderful following up on me! We can help make it better for future patients by letting him and Riverside know what needs to be improved on. Peace~Pam

Hi Stephanie, I am also going thru FreshStart at Riverside. My surgery is scheduled May 14th. I love Dr. Myers and his staff is extremely helpful. Are you practicing everything the dieticians want you to. That was a hard part for me. And the endless food records. I ended up seeing the dieticians five times no, actually six times before I could have my surgery scheduled. The extra time was good for me tho because I was really scared to make this decision. I think Dr. Teill is the greatest also. I prolly wouldn't have surgery anywhere else but RMH so this surgery is meant to be I think. I am pretty nervous about the liquid diet before the surgery. I get pretty cranky when I can't eat. But I know if I crack and have to eat something to just make it totally protein. My insurance approval flew thru. I was submitted on a Monday and had the approval that very Friday. It seemed like a whirlwind all of a sudden. The process just seems to dragggggggggggg on and on then once everyone finally signs off BAM!!!!! I could have had my surgery scheduled for May 7th and I tried for that, but it was just too rushed. It didn't feel right. So May 14th it is. Good Luck to you. Hope to keep in touch. Jan