Boy did I have alot to say

I just talked to the Coordinator of the Bariatric Program. In the past I haven't had the best of luck w/her. She is a very very busy women whom is very overworked by this organization. But I have come to the realization of this and try to be more patient with her. She told me she wanted me to talk to her after surgery. Let her know "what happened". What was good w/the hospital staff. What wasn't ect ect. I emailed her yesterday and told her "you told me you wanted me to talk and BOY do I have alot to say". Well..she just called. An hour later....our call ended. She was very supportive. Very intersted in what I had to say. Told me that others said the same thing. When I told her that I was aloud an "ounce of optisourse and hour from Wed. afternoon to thursday" she said "WHAT". I told her they wouldn't let me swish and spit and I did anyway -- I said "you know if you take a med cup and swish & spit every hour that would help." And I did it anyways. I wiped my face/lips w/a cool wash cloth anyway...and at one point I told the nurse "you might as well give me permission becaus I am going to do it anyway". Lauren said over and over she is working on getting a training/inservice set up that will be mandatory for all staff to attend. She said she wished I knew the name of the intern -- and I reminded her she could get a copy of my chart and see who rx the benedryl. I told her how I felt about what happened and looking back it makes me kind of upset. She said she would take care of it. She also is going to find out who the nurse I had on Wed. that told me "Just because other hospitals do it differently doesn't mean we will - and just because your husband had things done one way doesn't mean we will". I told Lauren at that point I clammed up. At no point had we compared what James' hospital did vs mine. It was all I could do not to cry in front of her and I told the nurse I wanted to talk to Lauren or Sunby. When SUnby came in all I could do was cry so I didnt' say anything to him. She normally sees patients in the hospital but had to be out of town last week unexpectedly. She said "I checked up on you though". I asked her "did they tell you I was either onary or emotional" She said no Dr. Sunby told her everything went okay. I feel better. I trust that she is doing what she can to get the hospital staff informed. Just thought I would share... Gala

Im glad you were able to get your voice heard - that is so important! -Sherrie

Gala by having the courage to complain and tell all you have done other WLS patients that use that hosptial a service. Things might improve for the next patient. I'm glad that you stuck up for yourself and refused certain things. In general WLS (gastric bypass especially) is not one of the commonly performed surgeries and hospitals like to treat us just like every other patient. How is your bladder? Is it improving with the antibiotic? Hope things continue to improve for you. Melody