Aurora-Sinai ROCKS
Just had my surgery last week with Dr. Chua at Milwaukee's Aurora-Sinai Hospital and I can't say enough wonderful things about my stay.
I had some non=surgical related complications and ended up staying from Wed-Sun. The staff was all so unbelievably friendly, courteous, helpful, willing to listen, you name it. I can't recommend them high enough.
For those who are looking into WLS, specifically I had the VSG, do yourself a huge favor and look into Dr. Chua and his staff. This journey has seemed like a walk in the park rather than a walk through Death Valley.
My only suggestion would be to bring your own protein shakes because the stuff the hospital provides is nasty. Even with the addition of the fruity flavored crystal light to help balance it out, it was nasty. Bring your own shakes and you'll ROCK too!
I had some non=surgical related complications and ended up staying from Wed-Sun. The staff was all so unbelievably friendly, courteous, helpful, willing to listen, you name it. I can't recommend them high enough.
For those who are looking into WLS, specifically I had the VSG, do yourself a huge favor and look into Dr. Chua and his staff. This journey has seemed like a walk in the park rather than a walk through Death Valley.
My only suggestion would be to bring your own protein shakes because the stuff the hospital provides is nasty. Even with the addition of the fruity flavored crystal light to help balance it out, it was nasty. Bring your own shakes and you'll ROCK too!
Let me help you with bariatric friendly cooking. www.pamperedchef.biz/gawnecooking
Have you met Dr. Chua yet at one of the informational seminars? If you haven't I highly suggest it. He's a very sweet, soft spoken man. Very interesting to listen to. I absolutely fell in love with his gentle spirit, he was such a change from the first surgeon I looked into. I'm glad my friend recommended him to me!!
I also enjoy the monthly support groups. They have a different topic each month, then after that we break up into smaller groups to talk how things are going, or ask each other questions. I try to make it, however it is a 2.5 hour drive for me so depending on what the topic is I don't make it to each one.
My surgery was on a Wednesday, and it was thought I'd be discharged on Friday later in the day. However, I ended up staying until Sunday afternoon. Again, that was from non-surgically related complications. (High Blood Pressure, Head ache, High Blood Sugars, and a syncopal episode...sort of like a seizure, which was possibly due to one of the meds.)
My only suggestion for you is to bring your own clear liquid protein supplement. I thought the stuff they give at your meal times was absolutely horrid, however that may just have been me. With having been there the extra days I was on the full liquids by the time I headed home. Those two days of 'full liquid' while in the hospital I was ready to kill for a Muscle Milk or Unjury shake. Because the dietary department only sees the order 'bariatric clear diet', they don't necessarily realize the progression Dr. Chua uses if you are there for a few extra days. You may have to remind them to send you yogurt or puddings.
Speaking of diet progression, Dr. Chua rocks! Day of surgery....water mostly. Day 2-3 Clear Liquids
Day 4-5 Full Liquids, then 2 weeks of pureed, 2 weeks of soft. So many dr's have these cruel weeks of liquids diets. YUCK!
My surgery is just 4 weeks out, and I'm starting to eat a little of everything. I have had no problems with small amounts of lettuce, tomato or onion. I've been on a chili with the works kick since about the day after I got home. I was naughty, do not follow my evil ways!
I've progressed a bit faster than I should. I used the idea of a bite or two, and if it doesn't bother me another couple of bites. Nothing sharp or rough that could cause a leak, and it isn't pleasant if you overeat by even just a bite or two, so be careful. 
I used canned chili mainly which is so processed there really isn't anything left to chew in it. Campbell's Roadhouse and Hormel aren't bad.
My recovery has been fantastic. I've lost about 30# since surgery. I feel good, but I do tire out easily. I usually take a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. I also am a night owl, I don't go to bed much before 2am and up by about 8am. That needs to be factored in also. I've taken 6 weeks off of work. In reality if I didn't do homecare as a CNA I could have gone back to work within a week of surgery. I'm not bored, I find things to do around the house, and of course SHOP for smaller clothes!
Feel free to keep in touch, ask any questions you have. I'm sure they aren't any sillier than the questions I asked people! LOL And if you need a buddy to go to the support meeting with, let me know which month you are going. They are the 3rd Wed of the month at 6pm across the street from Aurora-Sinai. This month I do not believe I will be there, but that may change.
Take care, and enjoy this journey!!
Anne
I also enjoy the monthly support groups. They have a different topic each month, then after that we break up into smaller groups to talk how things are going, or ask each other questions. I try to make it, however it is a 2.5 hour drive for me so depending on what the topic is I don't make it to each one.
My surgery was on a Wednesday, and it was thought I'd be discharged on Friday later in the day. However, I ended up staying until Sunday afternoon. Again, that was from non-surgically related complications. (High Blood Pressure, Head ache, High Blood Sugars, and a syncopal episode...sort of like a seizure, which was possibly due to one of the meds.)
My only suggestion for you is to bring your own clear liquid protein supplement. I thought the stuff they give at your meal times was absolutely horrid, however that may just have been me. With having been there the extra days I was on the full liquids by the time I headed home. Those two days of 'full liquid' while in the hospital I was ready to kill for a Muscle Milk or Unjury shake. Because the dietary department only sees the order 'bariatric clear diet', they don't necessarily realize the progression Dr. Chua uses if you are there for a few extra days. You may have to remind them to send you yogurt or puddings.
Speaking of diet progression, Dr. Chua rocks! Day of surgery....water mostly. Day 2-3 Clear Liquids
Day 4-5 Full Liquids, then 2 weeks of pureed, 2 weeks of soft. So many dr's have these cruel weeks of liquids diets. YUCK!
My surgery is just 4 weeks out, and I'm starting to eat a little of everything. I have had no problems with small amounts of lettuce, tomato or onion. I've been on a chili with the works kick since about the day after I got home. I was naughty, do not follow my evil ways!
I've progressed a bit faster than I should. I used the idea of a bite or two, and if it doesn't bother me another couple of bites. Nothing sharp or rough that could cause a leak, and it isn't pleasant if you overeat by even just a bite or two, so be careful. I used canned chili mainly which is so processed there really isn't anything left to chew in it. Campbell's Roadhouse and Hormel aren't bad. My recovery has been fantastic. I've lost about 30# since surgery. I feel good, but I do tire out easily. I usually take a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. I also am a night owl, I don't go to bed much before 2am and up by about 8am. That needs to be factored in also. I've taken 6 weeks off of work. In reality if I didn't do homecare as a CNA I could have gone back to work within a week of surgery. I'm not bored, I find things to do around the house, and of course SHOP for smaller clothes!
Feel free to keep in touch, ask any questions you have. I'm sure they aren't any sillier than the questions I asked people! LOL And if you need a buddy to go to the support meeting with, let me know which month you are going. They are the 3rd Wed of the month at 6pm across the street from Aurora-Sinai. This month I do not believe I will be there, but that may change.
Take care, and enjoy this journey!!
Anne
Let me help you with bariatric friendly cooking. www.pamperedchef.biz/gawnecooking
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