Re: Has anyone had surgery at Baylor hospital in Dallas???

[Guest guest]

Hey Sadie! Believe me, I was nervous too, but honestly the

anticipation was much worse for me than the actually surgery and

recovery has been. My surgeon was Dr. Larry Wolford. He is a

professor at baylor and has his own practice. His specialty is

really to do the tmj along with the orthognathic surgeries.

I am not sure exactly what all you are having done, but my surgery

was projected to last 8 hours but I was out in 5 hrs. Certainly

meant no difference to me since I was sleeping like a baby but I know

my parents and husband were so relieved to have things done a bit

early. The nurses and doc called my family in the waiting room at

least every hour to give them an update. So, I am sure they will do

the same for you! The night of the surgery they kept me overnight in

the recovery room where I had my own nurse at my beck & call. That

was so nice to know someone was there to help me at all times. They

let my family come into the recovery room 2 times after the surgery,

but later that night they moved me to a different recovery room and

no family was allowed. THat was a little difficult because I didn't

really sleep and it would have been nice to see a familiar face.

But, the morphine kinda made everything fuzzy anyway. I honestly

don't remember having much pain at all. They were good with the meds

at Baylor! After the night in recovery, my doc wanted me to stay 2

nights in a regular room, but things went really well and no

complications so I got to go " home " (my hotel in dallas) after 2

nights in the hospital. My doc was really strict on water intake

(thru syringes) once out of recovery and also of course getting some

of the hospital food down for energy. Doc said I had to keep track

and get down 30 syringes of water each day (helps majorly with the

swelling). The first day I downed close to 70 and he knew I was

shooting to get out of the hospital and get disconnected from all

those tubes! My doc was pretty strict before & after surgery and

said no dairy, caffeine or alcohol for 30 days prior and 30 days

after. Also to drink at least 8 eight oz glasses of water a day

before and after. AT first I thought this was crazy but I respect

him as a surgeon and did what he said. The no dairy instruction was

to eliminate a lot of congestion and it must have worked cause I have

had virtually none and hear a lot of people on the board talk about

that as a problem. The no caffeine & no alcohol was because it

dehydrates and the large volume of water obviously hydrates. This

must have worked too, because I hardly had any swelling, and I am not

kidding. So, I am not sure if I am just really fortunate, but I

would place money on the fact that my doc knows his stuff. I am sure

I gave you much more info than you wanted, but I just know how much I

desperately wanted to talk to someone who had surgery at Baylor

before I went in. Even though we don't have the same surgeon, at

least I could give you a picture of what my hospital experience was

like. If you think of anything else, just email me! Good Luck!

> > Has anyone had surgery at Baylor in Dallas??? Who was your

surgeon?

> What was the hospital like?

> >

> > Sadie

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Do you Yahoo!?

> > Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hey Sadie! Believe me, I was nervous too, but honestly the

anticipation was much worse for me than the actually surgery and

recovery has been. My surgeon was Dr. Larry Wolford. He is a

professor at baylor and has his own practice. His specialty is

really to do the tmj along with the orthognathic surgeries.

I am not sure exactly what all you are having done, but my surgery

was projected to last 8 hours but I was out in 5 hrs. Certainly

meant no difference to me since I was sleeping like a baby but I know

my parents and husband were so relieved to have things done a bit

early. The nurses and doc called my family in the waiting room at

least every hour to give them an update. So, I am sure they will do

the same for you! The night of the surgery they kept me overnight in

the recovery room where I had my own nurse at my beck & call. That

was so nice to know someone was there to help me at all times. They

let my family come into the recovery room 2 times after the surgery,

but later that night they moved me to a different recovery room and

no family was allowed. THat was a little difficult because I didn't

really sleep and it would have been nice to see a familiar face.

But, the morphine kinda made everything fuzzy anyway. I honestly

don't remember having much pain at all. They were good with the meds

at Baylor! After the night in recovery, my doc wanted me to stay 2

nights in a regular room, but things went really well and no

complications so I got to go " home " (my hotel in dallas) after 2

nights in the hospital. My doc was really strict on water intake

(thru syringes) once out of recovery and also of course getting some

of the hospital food down for energy. Doc said I had to keep track

and get down 30 syringes of water each day (helps majorly with the

swelling). The first day I downed close to 70 and he knew I was

shooting to get out of the hospital and get disconnected from all

those tubes! My doc was pretty strict before & after surgery and

said no dairy, caffeine or alcohol for 30 days prior and 30 days

after. Also to drink at least 8 eight oz glasses of water a day

before and after. AT first I thought this was crazy but I respect

him as a surgeon and did what he said. The no dairy instruction was

to eliminate a lot of congestion and it must have worked cause I have

had virtually none and hear a lot of people on the board talk about

that as a problem. The no caffeine & no alcohol was because it

dehydrates and the large volume of water obviously hydrates. This

must have worked too, because I hardly had any swelling, and I am not

kidding. So, I am not sure if I am just really fortunate, but I

would place money on the fact that my doc knows his stuff. I am sure

I gave you much more info than you wanted, but I just know how much I

desperately wanted to talk to someone who had surgery at Baylor

before I went in. Even though we don't have the same surgeon, at

least I could give you a picture of what my hospital experience was

like. If you think of anything else, just email me! Good Luck!

> > Has anyone had surgery at Baylor in Dallas??? Who was your

surgeon?

> What was the hospital like?

> >

> > Sadie

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Do you Yahoo!?

> > Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi . While in Dallas for the surgery, I stayed in a suite-type

hotel and my room was similar to a small apartment...full size

fridge, microwave, dishwasher, stove, oven...the works. IT was

called the Candlewood Suites and I was very impressed with how nice

it was. They actually had a " medical rate " so if you haven't already

asked about this I would because with that rate, I was able to stay

in the one bedroom suite for $69 a night. I took my blender down and

had everything I needed. I too arrived a few days prior to the

surgery to give me time to get settled in and go grocery shopping so

I would have stuff to blend once out of the hospital. I had no

complications with my surgery, so I was able to leave Dallas about

one week following the surgery. My surgeon originally told me to

plan on staying at least 2 weeks maybe more depending on progress.

So, in that respect I was lucky. I had originally planned to fly to

Dallas and my surgeon said I could fly home after the 2 weeks. I

ended up driving though since Dallas is only 10 hours from St.

Louis. You certainly would have a much longer drive:) So, I can't

really speak to what that experience will be like with the pressure

flying. I will not see my surgeon until Feb. (the 5 month post op

mark) and my ortho has been monitoring my bite weekly since I got

back. I would definitely talk with your doc though about what he/she

anticipates in terms of how long you will need to stay in

CA and how often you will need to return for post surgical follow

ups. I was not wired nor banded and didn't even have to wear the

splint they predicted. My surgeon took off the few bands I had on

prior to me leaving Dallas. I think this is very unusual though from

what I have read about others' experiences. So, I am sure that if I

had been banded w/splint my stay would have been much longer and my

follow ups much more frequent. While in Dallas, I saw my surgeon

every other day after being discharged from the hospital. Your

husband will come in handy transporting you to and from all of these

appointments because you surely won't feel like driving, especially

with all the meds. Also, thank goodness he will be there to help

prepare your meals to keep you strong. It was hard being away from

home. I found myself wanting my own bed several nights but the time

actually passed very quickly and in a way it was nice to be away from

all of the pressures of home (those everyday little tasks you feel

you must do). So, in that respect, I was able to do nothing but

relax. Good luck with your surgery!

> > > Has anyone had surgery at Baylor in Dallas??? Who was your

> surgeon?

> > What was the hospital like?

> > >

> > > Sadie

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ---------------------------------

> > > Do you Yahoo!?

> > > Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi . While in Dallas for the surgery, I stayed in a suite-type

hotel and my room was similar to a small apartment...full size

fridge, microwave, dishwasher, stove, oven...the works. IT was

called the Candlewood Suites and I was very impressed with how nice

it was. They actually had a " medical rate " so if you haven't already

asked about this I would because with that rate, I was able to stay

in the one bedroom suite for $69 a night. I took my blender down and

had everything I needed. I too arrived a few days prior to the

surgery to give me time to get settled in and go grocery shopping so

I would have stuff to blend once out of the hospital. I had no

complications with my surgery, so I was able to leave Dallas about

one week following the surgery. My surgeon originally told me to

plan on staying at least 2 weeks maybe more depending on progress.

So, in that respect I was lucky. I had originally planned to fly to

Dallas and my surgeon said I could fly home after the 2 weeks. I

ended up driving though since Dallas is only 10 hours from St.

Louis. You certainly would have a much longer drive:) So, I can't

really speak to what that experience will be like with the pressure

flying. I will not see my surgeon until Feb. (the 5 month post op

mark) and my ortho has been monitoring my bite weekly since I got

back. I would definitely talk with your doc though about what he/she

anticipates in terms of how long you will need to stay in

CA and how often you will need to return for post surgical follow

ups. I was not wired nor banded and didn't even have to wear the

splint they predicted. My surgeon took off the few bands I had on

prior to me leaving Dallas. I think this is very unusual though from

what I have read about others' experiences. So, I am sure that if I

had been banded w/splint my stay would have been much longer and my

follow ups much more frequent. While in Dallas, I saw my surgeon

every other day after being discharged from the hospital. Your

husband will come in handy transporting you to and from all of these

appointments because you surely won't feel like driving, especially

with all the meds. Also, thank goodness he will be there to help

prepare your meals to keep you strong. It was hard being away from

home. I found myself wanting my own bed several nights but the time

actually passed very quickly and in a way it was nice to be away from

all of the pressures of home (those everyday little tasks you feel

you must do). So, in that respect, I was able to do nothing but

relax. Good luck with your surgery!

> > > Has anyone had surgery at Baylor in Dallas??? Who was your

> surgeon?

> > What was the hospital like?

> > >

> > > Sadie

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ---------------------------------

> > > Do you Yahoo!?

> > > Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi Sadie,

Go to the info website, click on PERSONAL SURGERY EXPERIENCES, and

you'll read a few accounts (including mine) on what happens the day

of and immediately following the surgery. Usually the fear of what

MIGHT happen is far worse than the reality.

The site is at http://www.geocities.com/orthognathicinfo/

It's normal to be nervous, but try to remember that you have

professionals helping you at every step of the way.

Hope that helps,

> > > Has anyone had surgery at Baylor in Dallas??? Who was your

> surgeon?

> > What was the hospital like?

> > >

> > > Sadie

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ---------------------------------

> > > Do you Yahoo!?

> > > Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi Sadie,

Go to the info website, click on PERSONAL SURGERY EXPERIENCES, and

you'll read a few accounts (including mine) on what happens the day

of and immediately following the surgery. Usually the fear of what

MIGHT happen is far worse than the reality.

The site is at http://www.geocities.com/orthognathicinfo/

It's normal to be nervous, but try to remember that you have

professionals helping you at every step of the way.

Hope that helps,

> > > Has anyone had surgery at Baylor in Dallas??? Who was your

> surgeon?

> > What was the hospital like?

> > >

> > > Sadie

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ---------------------------------

> > > Do you Yahoo!?

> > > Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.

> > >

> > >