Re: re: pre-op mt sinai questions

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/17/01 2:27:07 AM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< 1. I have to purchase a plane ticket. I am wondering how long I will

be in the hospital, so that I can plan my plane tickets appropriately.>>>>

Well, I was in for three days. I had a lap DS without any complications. An

open procedure would require a longer stay (maybe 3-5 days). Also, if you

encounter difficulties or complications (such as low grade fever, etc.) they

may want you to stay longer to observe you. Of the people I've known who've

traveled to Mt. Sinai to have the surgery, they stayed in the Mt. Sinai guest

house for at least an additional3 days or more to be monitored. I would

definately ask your surgeon about this -- he/she will be better able to

determine how long he'd like you to stay in town to be monitored after your

discharge from the hospital. That is, barring any kind of complications,

which are usually quite unpredictable.

2. I also need to know if there is a hospital safe where my purse can

be stored? >>>>

I am not sure about this, but I did have stuff stored before the operation.

I didn't get it until two days post-op, so be forewarned!

3. I would also like to know how much a personal companion costs? And

do you need one for 8 hours or 24 hours.>>>>>>

The personal aides are 90/8 hours (I think it is 120/12 hours). The are

invaluable. I had a round the clock shift my first day post-op (I live in

Brooklyn but my dh wasn't there round the clock and had to commute to get to

the hospital), then only in the late evenings. I was fine by the second day.

<<<<4. I also need to know if anyone can reccommend an affordabale but

decent hotel in the NYC area if I decide to stay for a few days after

the surgery.>>>>>

I think your best bet is to reserve a room at the Mt. Sinai guesthouse. It

is 150/night -- believe me, that's pretty good for NYC> It is right across

from the hospital (where you'd want to be in if any complications arise). I

would book well in advance b/c I don't know how crowded they are. There

aren't any other hotels nearby -- and Midtown would be quite a commute (as

well as possibly booked for the summer and very expensive).

5. What can I expect on the Day of surgery? What time do you arrive?

What are the pre-op preparations and what are they like?Does Dr. Ganer

see you before the surgery.>>>>>>

You are supposed to arrive 2 hours prior to the scheduled surgery time. You

may experience a delay (I did -- by 4 hours! I was really, really nervous).

You are supposed to go no food/drink the night before, I believe. So, keep

yourself well hydrated beforehand with plenty of liquids. I also stocked up

on a high protein diet a few weeks before the surgery.

Dr. GAgner didn't see me beforehand, but Dr. Quinn (his assisting surgeon)

did. She answered all my last minute questions as did the anesthesiologist.

6. What should I pack for my stay in the hospital. Will I be alert

enough to read? Are Laptops and or PDA's allowed? >>>>>

I really don't think you need to pack a lot of things -- many people on the

list have mentioned various essentials. I'd have a pair of salad

thongs/spoon (for wiping post-op), cottonelle wipes (moist and good for

cleanup), moisturizer (the private aides will get you some anyway but it's

good to have on hand), mini bottles of SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER -- They only

provided mini bars of soap and I had to wash my hair with this -- -YUCK!!!! ,

lip balm for dry lips, slippers (if you prefer to wear them - they give you a

pair of no-skid socks, which are nice)..

Depending on how long you are on the morphine pump, you may not be too alert

on post-op day 1. I really wasn't bored in the least and walked around the

halls, visiting other post-ops, etc. I thinkt hat laptops and PDA's are

allowed (although I could be mistaken), but I really don't think you'll want

them until maybe the last day before being discharged. They would be really

nice for the period after you are discharged but still hanging around... The

problem would be storage and security for these items, I think.....

All the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

Dr. Ganger/Dr. Quinn assisting

Mt. Sinai/January 25, 2001

four months post-op and still feelin' fab!

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 247 lbs -- still goin' down, man! LOL