"I felt great about my stay at BGH. The only reason I gave the quite question a "Poor" rating was mainly due to my roommate. After Weight loss surgery, patients go to the heart monitoring floor. So, we are not just with other people who have undergone weight loss surgery. She was an eldery woman who was not nice to the staff & she was half deaf. So, the staff had to yell inorder for the patient to hear them. And she was constantly calling the nursing staff. So, because of her, I didn't exactly have a restful stay. However, that really wasn't BGH's fault. I was only in the hospital overnight, but I found the staff was fine. It was one of those situations where if you smiled at them, said please and thank you, and did what they asked of you, they were great. I had no problem getting someone to answer my call button and they were very prompt when I asked for pain meds. "
"I ADORE Dr. Hoffman! I thought he was great. He really believes in the lapband, it is all he does at this point. (The other surgeons in this group, Dr. L. Forbes & Dr. A. Posner do both RNY and Lapband - they seem to favor the RNY) I found that the Kaleida Comprehensive Weight Loss Clinic to have a lot of requirements, but I have a feeling those requirements really stream-line things for those accepted into the program. Their time isn't being wasted by people who either don't qualify for surgery or aren't serious - which means less waiting time for those that are serious. However, when you are waiting, it seems like FOREVER! There was a miscommunication regarding my paperwork being submitted to my insurance. This lead to my surgery being canceled last minute. I wasn't very happy about it, but Lisa, Dr. Hoffman's secretary, worked to get me into the next available OR spot (Dr. Hoffman only does surgery on Mondays, but he fit me in on Thursday of the same week I was originally scheduled.) Also, Dr. Hoffman stopped in my hospital room the night of my surgery at Midnight!! He was on call and had to come in for a emergency surgery (not band related) and checked on me before he left! AT MIDNIGHT!!! That's what I call great bedside mannor! rnrnI must say that I did a lot of my own leg work for my surgery. I had copies of all my Medical Records going back to 1994. I could prove weight history for over 14 years. I did everything in my power to expedite the process. I think that is why I received such a warm response from the clinic staff. If you don't waste their time, they will bend over backwards for you. I submitted the application to be accepted into the program in September 2007 and I had my surgery April 2008. There are many steps in this process, so just be ready, you will not be having weight loss surgery next week."
