Question:
I need to know what St. Vincent's Hospital's, in Carmel, IN, reputation is?

I received an e-mail from a fellow WLS sister and she said that I shouldn't go to Carmel because everyone gets infections and only loses around 50 lbs. within 2 years! Is any of this true? I had only heard FANTASTIC reports about them! I need to hear from those who KNOW-who have been there, not hearsay! Please help!    — Cynthia Snyder (posted on August 1, 2005)

August 1, 2005
Hi, I had my surgery done at St. Vincent's back in 2002 and I had absolutely NO problems. The staff was caring and great. It's been 3 years and I've lost 130 lbs and am keeping it off. Good Luck to you!
   — jeannieree

August 1, 2005
I wonder where you WLS sister got her information? I had a revision there on 5-31-05, ( my first surgery was VBG at Winona) and I can tell you from personal experience that they are a fabulous hospital. The staff there is just excellent, the bariatric unit has its own floor, with its own nurses that just deal with bariatric patients. I have already lost almost 40 pounds in 6 weeks and did not have any infection. If you still have ANY doubts I urge you to go to their support groups and talk to the people there that have lost 100, even 200 pds. Its amazing. If I had to do it all over again I would go thru them again. If you want to e-mail me for more details or to answer any questions please feel free to at [email protected] Best of luck to you.
   — MS. A.

August 1, 2005
St. Vincent is AWESOME!!!!! I would never choose another hospital if I had to, my father and I had our surgeries one week apart, both with doctor Gupta, shes great. The bariatric floor is just for wls patients with private rooms and walk in showers, the nurses are awesome all very caring and very clean. My father and I had no problems at all, no infections or anything. For the Grand finale, I am just 5 months post op and down 110 pounds, my dad is down 100 so the 50 pounds is not accurate. Good luck!
   — iamhappy200

August 1, 2005
I am a nurse and can tell you that any hospital you go to you can get an infection, its based on the cleanliness of you yourself, nurses, doctors,roommates, etc. To avoid infections its all up to you, keeping your hands clean and watching your nurses doing dressing changes makeing sure they follow a sterile protocol.And I know of three people who have had the surgery at St Vincents and all have lost 100-150 pounds 1 year after surgery, thats up to you too. If you don't change your lifstyle after surgery (excersizing, avoiding sugars, breads and restretching your pouch after surgery will cause you to lose weight slowly or gain it back. I have a surgeon through St Vincents that has been doing the surgery scince 1978, and has done over 6,000 surgeries. He's completely capable and I trust him and St Vincents Carmel, His name is Dr John Huse. And I saw an article about the St Vincent Carmel program in a National magazine.Remember a lot of how well you do after surgery is all up to you!!
   — Holly P.

August 1, 2005
That is so not true. Mt. Carmel has a good reputation with Bariatric surgery but if you feel uncomfortable you might check out Franklin Memorial Hospital just south of Indy in Franklin Indiana. The people their are just faboulus and help anyway they can and were the first Hospital that did Bariatric surgery in Indiana. And Dr. Dana Lindsey is a sweet and wonderful woman with over 600 surgeries under her scalpal. In fact I may be traveling a long way but that is where I am going to have mine coming up here soon. I hope you listen to your heart and body and it will tell you what is true and right. Peace Fellow Surgery Patient.
   — jstplainwyrd1956

August 1, 2005
I had my surgery done in Carmel at St.V. and eveyone was just wonderful!!! Dr. Huse did my surgery 3 years ago and I have lost 100 pounds in my first year and still doing great! This surgery is only a tool and what we do with it is up to us. I wouldn't have it done any place but in Carmel and no one and I mean no one would do it execpt Dr. Huse. He is great !! This Jan. will make 3 years since my surgery. BEST OF LUCK.
   — Mary L.

August 1, 2005
I have my surgery at St. Vincent Aug of 2002, I could not say one bad thing about them. The nurses, the aids, all were fantastic. Dr. Jones was my surgeon and you could not ask for a more caring person. There is no finer hospital, everyone was very very nice, clear down to the receptionest at the entrance, to all the lab workers. I am happy with the results and the yearly check-ups I have. St. Vincent, Carmel is the best.
   — penciepaws

September 12, 2005
I had my surgery on August 11, 2005 at St. Vincents Carmel. I had no problems - the hospital and it's staff are great. Eighteen days post op I am down 26 pounds.
   — Lisa H.