" I would have RUN had I previewed the floor I knew I'd be staying on at Albany Med. It was a DIRTY MESS. Can't say much about the rest of the hospital, but that was enough for me to know I'd never go back except for follow-ups with my surgeon.
I was neglected for most of my stay since the woman in the room with me had been there for a more serious illess, and had been there several weeks. People streamed in and out caring for her needs and didn't even bother to simply ask if I was OK, needed anything, had died, etc. Even speaking up didn't matter. When the cathater was removed, it took 3 calls over a 2 hour period before anyone would finally clean the bathroom; they had been dumping my roomie's bedpan without lifting the seat, so I wasn't going there! Most ludicrous part of it all - the cleaning woman was right across the hall when I first called, but continued down and around the hall. A nurse finally came in to clean the bathroom, but then no one monitored my urine output like they were supposed to from that moment on. There's plenty more to add to this horror story, but I don't want to aggravate myself any more right now. Please realize that I am a very rational, educated woman who did not go into this expecting a stay at the Ritz, just simple human decency from those I entrusted my care to!!"
"Choosing Dr. Singh was an easy decision for me. My PCP works with a partner, and his partner's brother had WLS with Dr. Singh. I knew I'd be in good hands if a doctor would trust his own brother to Dr. Singh!
I found Dr. Singh to be very easygoing and pleasant to talk to, nice looking and younger than I'd thought he'd be. I didn't have many questions about the actual procedure, because I've been researching this for a while.
The 10% weight loss recommendation before scheduling surgery came as a shock to me. (Guess I didn't do quite enough research!!) My PCP's office called in late June to get my appt. with Dr. Singh, which was scheduled for Sept. 10th. I was disappointed in the long wait, but not surprised. After finding out in Sept. about the 10%, (which was 35lbs. for me), I was angry at my PCP's office, for not informing me of this. I had all summer off, which I spend gardening like a fiend, and have a pool to swim in. I know I could have lost that 10% while I waited to see Dr. Singh. Of course I rebelled by eating everything and anything I wanted during the 2 months before my 2nd consult...passed all my pre-op clearances and got a letter asking for a waiver of the 10% weight loss due to many prior failed attempts at weight loss from my PCP.
I was nervous going to my 2nd consult, knowing that I had gained weight - 13 lbs. The nurse weighing me was quite unpleasant about it, although I thought she really had no business criticising anyone with a weight problem, if you know what I mean...(I checked my "bad attitude" with my partner, who also agreed she was rude about it!)
Dr. Singh was very upfront about the reasons for the 10% weight loss, and said that he would go ahead if I wanted him to, but could not assure my long term success without the proper mental and behavioral changes in place for me prior to surgery. Then and there I decided to schedule surgery for 6 wks. from that time, and to work on losing whatever I could before surgery. I stayed for the support group meeting that night and found everyone there to be very helpful and compassionate. I have been working on the 10% ever since, and know I have lost weight, although I don't know how much. I can now button shirts down at the hip that wouldn't button before. More important than that is that I feel much healthier already, just by eating mostly protein, low carbs. I can't imagine how I'll feel after WLS!
I wish that either my PCP or Dr. Singh's office would let patients know about the 10% when their appts. are scheduled so they could deal with that recommendation before seeing the doctor.
I found most of Dr. Singh's staff to be very pleasant and helpful, especially Debbie. She handles all the insurance issues, and I had no problem getting approved on the first try.
Surgery's only 10 days from today!!!
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