Question:
Has anyone had their surgery at the Belvidere ILL, Northwest Suburban Hospital?

I was there for my pre-op recently, and it seemed more like a nursing home than a sterile hospital. The nurses looked worn out and all had on dirty tennis shoes, which makes me think they aren't being paid enough, which makes me think they are more like "aides". They also told me that they only do distal open RNY's. I thought that distal was the more aggresive surgery. The "nurse" said that the distal surgery was the less aggresive surgery. I'm confused!, and my surgery is this week!!! Please tell me your experience at this facility!    — [Anonymous] (posted on December 7, 2000)

December 7, 2000
I had my surgery at BTC on August 18, 2000. I had a very good experience with them. It is a VERY busy place and yes some of the nurses are aides as are some of the nurses in any hospital. I found the nurses there to be very resonsive to my needs and I especially appreciated that the two nurses who went over my discharge orders with me had both had the surgery. My surgeon is excellent and I've heard very good things about the other surgeons there. They have a very well-structured follow-up program also. As to the building. It is a small hospital and they are working to remodel and improve the facilities. I'm not a big fan or huge hospitals where you never have the same nurse two days in a row. I also did not experience any circumstances where cleanliness was an issue.
   — Nanette T.

December 7, 2000
BTW, my understanding from my conversations with my surgeon is that I had an proximal open RNY. But proximal, medial and distal are non-specific descriptive terms.
   — Nanette T.

December 7, 2000
Thank you Nanette. I feel much better about it now. Wish me luck!
   — [Anonymous]

December 7, 2000
I have to agree with Nanette! I had my surgery Nov. 1 and I'd go back in a heartbeat if I had to do it all over again! It was a wonderful experience (believe it or not), due in part to the caring and thoughtful nursing staff!! I had no complaints whatsoever against the nurses, aides, or anyone at BTC!! My surgeon was wonderful! I look forward to my follow-up appointments with him!! I was a little surprised at the facility on my first visit, but I took one look at the floors and walls and could almost see myself in them! There is ALWAYS someone cleaning when I go down there. As for the condition of shoes...I'll tell you, if I was on my feet as much as those nurses are, I'd hang onto the most comfortable pair of shoes I own and wear them to the very end, regardless of their appearance. lol And these gals are on their feet running all the time...I never had to wait for one to answer my bell. So...don't worry about your surgery or the facility! It's the BEST!! And the support groups are wonderful! Make the most of it and enjoy this marvelous journey to good health!! Lacy
   — [Anonymous]

December 7, 2000
I had surgery at BTC 1-19-00 and would do it over again in a heartbeat as well. The staff was (and continues to be) wonderful! I have friends who have gone to major medical centers who have had complication after complication (some life threatening), so the facility doesn't promise good results- the surgeon & staff does, and the BTC surgeons and staff are great. Don't worry- you are in good hands:)
   — M B.

December 8, 2000
I had my surgery at Belvidere, and if I had it to do over again, I would have gone somewhere else. I was not impressed with the hospital at all. You are correct in that it seems almost like it is a nursing home or a very 'poor' hospital in the outback! I would choose another facility if I were to do it over again. BTC was fine, but not that hospital.
   — [Anonymous]

May 24, 2001
I had my surgery at Belvedere on Feb. 14,2001. I was a little disappointed in some things but did like the surgeon. One night I couldn't find the call light & hollored for over a half & hour. When the nurse came she bent over & evidently my light had fallen off the side rail. I needed help to the bathroom & my IV was causing swelling. Two aides insisted I was fine & needed to move it more. The next a.m. the nurse had a fit & removed it right away. My hand was badly swollen. I complained about the way I was being treated & someone came in & talked to me. Things improved. Another time I started feeling terribly sick & I think I may have been going into shock. The nurse wasn't doing anything but telling me for at least 20 min. what could be the problem. My friend insisted that a dr. be paged & again she started saying what could be wrong--low blood sugar, etc. etc. Finally it just all passed over. I was really disgusted. The one nurse who had surgery came to my room once when I put on the call light & said, "Now, what do YOU want?" Real snotty. I am not a complainer & tried to do for myself as much as possible. I'm glad I had the surgery but I had hoped I could have it in Ohio which didn't work out. My last follow-up visit I had an appt. & it was 2 1/2 hrs. before I saw the dr. I know they're busy but I don't see why it should take that long if you have an appt.
   — [Anonymous]