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Had my gastric sleeve surgery done at the Vic barely two weeks ago. All went well until I was moved from Recovery to a private room. First up, the room was a dump. I would have walked out if I could as it was below fleabag motel quality.
A large chunk of plaster was missing from one of the walls. No AC or even a fan (fortunately the days were cool so it wasn't needed, but still). One window with a painted wooden frame from which the green paint was peeling in large strips. An old fashioned roll up blind on the window that was all ripped, torn, and frayed.
It didn't stop there.
When they finally got me up to the room I really had to pee. I hadn't gone for two days since prior to the operation. I informed the female orderly and she handed me a pee bottle and started to walk away. I asked her to help me get it in position as I was lying down and had stitches in my stomach. Her response was "just pee the bed and I'll change the sheets."
Unbelievable!
At this point the nurse walked in and heard the exchange and said we should use this an opportunity to get me up on my feet to walk to the bathroom, which is what happened.
Upon return the same orderly came over to adjust my IV tubes and while leaning across me, belched loudly in my face. I sat there incredulous. As if that wasn't enough, she did it a second time and excused herself saying "my lunch is repeating on me".
All this in complete view of the nurse, to whom I later spoke and said that I never wanted that orderly in my room again. She never did, but many times walked by my room and gave me the stink eye.
Then lunchtime rolled around. No lunch.
At 2 p.m. a different orderly came in my room with two trays and asked if I wanted beef or chicken.
I told her I just had bariatric surgery and was supposed to be on a liquid diet.
"Ok, I'll leave you with this one then", she said, and placed one tray on my table and left with the other one.
I lifted the lid and lo and behold there sat two chicken drumsticks, mashed potatoes and mixed veggies.
I called her back and she took away the plate leaving me with a glass of cold tea and some apple juice.
I rang for the nurse and was told the caf was closed. They later came in with a small bowl of soup that had veggies in it, which I basically ate around and spit out the solids.
Another attendant came in and wagged her finger at me and told me in a lecturing tone that I should quit complaining. I told her that if I wanted to be ignored and given the wrong treatment, I'd fare better at home, which, I think, ticked her off even more.
What a dump. It's a good thing it's closing.
Correction, the dates were from 2012 to 2014. Here's the link.
http://www.cjad.com/cjad-news/2014/07/29/150-lachine-patients-at-risk-of-infection-following-surgery
According to CJAD over 150 patients who had bariatric surgery at Lachine could be infected with HIV and hepatitis due to improper sterilization of a liver retractor. Involves patients operated on between 2009 and 2014.
I discussed the Walden Farms dressings and dips with the bariatric nutritionist and she was completely unaware of these products, and quite skeptical. However upon checking them out via the Walden Farms website, which provides the full ingredient list and nutritional breakdown, she told me they are fine, so long as used judiciously and in moderation. Their Italian dressing is actually very good and contains no sugar, fats, oil, carbs or gluten. Just a clever mix of a few vinegars and spices, among other things.
For me it was an electrocardiogram, meeting with the anesthesiologist who will ask you questions, bariatric nurse, and a pre-op doctor who will take you blood pressure and ask you some medical information. At the end of it all, i had to go see the bariatric nutritionist to get the optifast. It's a couple of hours in total and well organized. (Now all i'm missing is a surgery date! :)
Again, this was my experience last month. I hope this answers your question!
Can anyone tell me what to expect in terms of the pre-op tests? What do they do, and what does the patient have to undergo?
I was looking at the bypass. I am 59. Would that put me in the recommended sleeve category?
I was thinking that might be a reason. I'm a lightweight with 'only' apprx 100lbs to lose. Seeing as how i did my preop last month, i was thinking/ hoping it was soon. I met with dr. Court in february....
Somebody I know waited 3 years for bariatric surgery at one of the French hospitals. She was convinced it was because she has an English name, but in reality, to look at her pre-op, she wasn't obese. I think she just kept getting bumped in favor of more serious candidates.
