What was your hospital experience?

So, now comes all my questions for you post-ops.... I would like to hear about your hospital and/or surgery experiences; from beginning to end, leave no stone unturned Also, any suggestions on what to take to the hospital?

Michelle; I've got most of this covered in my profile. It's too much to type again, but if you have any questions after reading my profile, let me know and I'll be happy to answer them. Blessings, Jennifer

Sorry Jennifer - I didn't even think to look at your profile!! I'm an idiot!

Michelle; You're not an idiot. You're just getting used to the site and where we hide everything. Blessings, Jennifer

Hi Michelle, I wrote about my surgery on my blog, please feel free to read it here: http://home.earthlink.net/~eeverson1067/id3.html Good luck to you! As far as what to bring to the hospital, I brought several pairs of clean undies, a few toiletries, and a pair of jammies. The only thing I used were the undies and the toiletries. My roommate in the hospital brought two small suitcases! She never used any of it. Take care, Elizabeth

I hated my hospital stay. I was there and week and I was stir crazy by the time I was released. I thought I was going to loose all my sanity. My surgeon was wonderful. The nurses in Intensive Care were wonderful but when I got on the floor it was the worst experience of my life but other than that....................I have no regrets. Just wi**** was a different hospital. Needless to say I didn't rank the hospital high when I had to do a survey!! I took sanitary pads, night gown, house shoes, vitamins, books (didn't read too much especially the first few days),magazines, a set of clothes and I can't remember what else. Hope this helps somewhat!! Keke

I love love loved my hospital. Everyone was so awsome to me and the care was great.

The first attempt at surgery in May, it was botched. I have, or rather had, really bad obstructive sleep apnea, and the anesthesiologist didn't take that into consideration and tried to intubate me while I was asleep, rather than awake. He screwed up my throat for weeks, and they crammed the tube down 10 seconds ahead of a tracheotemy, as my throat had closed and my oxygen level dropped. Second time (July 5th), I told them I wanted the head of the department, whom I got. He intubated me while I was awake. Not fun, but it worked. My only other negative experiences were the cathater, the thirst, the vomiting, and the stupid air mattress bed I was on for a while before I said screw it and slept in the recliner in my room. The nursing staff was great, as was the doctor and his assistants. All in all, it wasn't all that bad, and yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

My hosptial stay was probably the best I've ever read about. Lenox Hill (the hosptial I stayed at) had me in a private room, the nursing care was pretty good, except for one male nurse who shall remain nameless, plus my surgeon has a nurse practitioner just for his patients. Then there was the "stream" of doctors who came to see me several times a day, residents, nurse practitioner, surgeon, etc etc. Actually come to think about it, hopstial issues was one of the issues that caused me to rethink wetchester medical center, and started me on the path of getting a 2nd opinion. I read the reviews for it, and they were terrible. While your only in the hospital for a few days, you might as well be in one thats good. Scott