"Dr. Galvani is the bomb with beautiful gray eyes. He comes to my hospital from Columbia by way of Chicago. He was a bit difficult to understand at first until you get used to his thick accent, but he doesn't remind repeating himself or saying something with different phrasing. His initial information session proved to me he knew what he was talking about and that he could carry an audience. If he can command an audience, he could command an operating room.
I met him and his office staff when they were new to my hospital (mine meaning I work there). The hospital had changed around the requirements for bariatric surgery when he came along so they could build their own program rather than giving the money to the hospital across town, so I went in with a not so great attitude. I felt like I'd already been messed with because I was accepted in the other program, no problems. So because of all this, it put me behind in my own schedule by a year and a half. I really wanted to have this done by my 50th birthday and as we all know, the decision for surgical intervention is not taken lightly. BUT...I will say in retrospect, and I believe this firmly, is that everything happens for a reason, and perhaps I needed that year and a half to get my butt in gear for the life-changing challenges that all this entails. It also gave Dr. Galvani and his office and all the ancillary departments a chance to get their acts together. Dietary, social services, the Wellness Center (the hospital gym), Human Resources, and the other behind the scene departments I'm not even aware of. I wouldn't have said that a week ago, but I will say it today.
His Bariatric Nurse Manager, Barb Fleshman, is top notch, man. She, too, is the bomb. She is the oil that greases the wheel. She is so perfect for that job and seems to enjoy it as well. She has had a lap band in the past so is very versed in what's going on personally as well as professionally.
I think their emphasis right now is before care. They want you to get into good habits before taking the proverbial leap. The recommend many things afterwards, like the support groups and continuing to exercise and so on and so forth, but I don't think they feel like they can require it since you've already had the surgery. I can require it for myself though. I'm come this far...I can go a little further."
