Question:
I need to hear from people who have had surgery at ST. Lukes in Phoenix,AZ

Please anyone who has had WLS with Dr Jaurez at St. Lukes Would you post an answer or email me at [email protected] I was reading one of the surgery pages and the lady said that her room and bathroom were filthy! Now I don't want to have my surgery there>>> Please someone help!! Thanks sooo much Sharon    — Irishlass2154 (posted on December 29, 2001)

December 30, 2001
Sharon - I had surgery at St Lukes with Dr. Juarez in May - I had absolutely no problems with the hospital - both with the room or type of care I received. Depending on how many surgeries they have done that day - they can be extremely busy - but everytime I asked for something I got it.....I have heard some others complain, so I dont know if I just didnt let things bother me or what - but from the time I woke up I was determined to get up and moving which helped me be able to do things for myself and made things that much better - it is wise to have someone with you or to have someone check on you just in case you find the nurses too busy - but like I said, I had no problems with cleanliness or care - hope this helps - e mail me if you would like too - and good luck - Dr. Juarez is a wonderful surgeon.
   — Sharon Jones

December 30, 2001
My daughter had wls Jan 2000 at St. Lukes and I'm so glad I stayed because the nurses didn't do anything. They didn't even have wash clothes/towels or gowns. My daughter was supposed to walk but the IV pole didn't roll. She was supposed to get a binder but they didn't have on her size (she wasn't that big!)The call light on the bed didnt work. No one encouraged her to use her blow bottles and they didn't make an effort to get her out of bed. I was the mean guy trying to get her to do what she needed to do, it would have been nice if the nurses encouraged her too. I had to tell them to make her bed, they wouldn't even straighten it if she was up to the bathroom. At 2am there was a strange naked man wandering in all the rooms, I chased him out of my daughters room and yelled at the nurses at the nurses station. If the nurses had gone to answer all the lights that were on at that time they would have known a crazy man was roaming the halls. I had my wls at Good Sam and my husband planned on staying but the nurses station was right outside the door of all the rooms, no problem getting a hold of anyone. They were noisy but it was comforting to know that they were there. I even got a rolling IV pole and no problem getting anyone to help. I had no trouble getting sheets, towels, washcloths or gowns. I was bigger around than my daughter and I got a binder right away. At St. Lukes my daughter was at the end of the hall and I swear the nurses didn't make rounds. The hospital staff is only as good as who is working that day. My suggestion is if you have to go to St. Lukes have someone stay with you.
   — Helen B.

December 30, 2001
Dear Sharon: My friend had open RNY at St. Lukes on 12/04/01. She said she couldn't get the nurses to answer her calls, no one encouraged her to walk and she was left for hours without being checked on. Her husband is a respiratory therapist and thankfully he stayed in her room and took care of her. I had my open RNY at Good Sams with Dr. Newhoff and my experience was completely different! I was well-cared for by excellent nurses. I had a binder right away, I didn't call for them often, but when I did, they came right away. I didn't get one single grumpy nurse. I was very impressed with Good Sam. I'm sorry I don't have more to say about St. Lukes. To be honest, Dr. Juarez was the first surgeon I saw and I knew that our personalities wouldn't mesh well and I was discouraged by the dirty carpets and such.
   — Lisa U.

January 5, 2002
Sharon, I had lap rny by dr. Juarez on april 26, 2001 and it was a great experience. The nurses were wonderful and very caring. They switched my room for me at my request and always came right away. The nurses in the bariatric testing area had rny themselves and were exceptional. I'm sorry to hear about the problems that others have experience. I would however recommend St. Lukes and Dr. Juarez to anyone and in fact I have to several people I care dearly about. I hope this helps. Diane
   — Diane B.