DeniseV
Send Message
Block
Add Friend

Southern New Hampshire Medical Center
"I had the most wonderful stay at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. From the moment I was admitted, to the moment I was discharged, it was a very pleasant experience. From the people at the admitting desk, to the nurses who took such great care of me, to the janitorial staff....top notch. I can not say enough about the nurses on the floor where I stayed; Floor three. They were wonderful. They checked in on me constantly to make sure I was okay and to see if I needed anything. They made sure my pain was well-controlled and encouraged me to "just let them know" if I was uncomfortable or needed anything. When there was a concern that something was wrong, they immediately called my surgeon, who of course, responded immediately. The nurses were great cheerleaders. They encouraged me to keep walking and use the breathing tool, which I think wa called a spirometer. They were gentle when they had to wake you to take your vitals and were always pleasant and sweet. The one and only nurse I had an issue with was one of the nurses in the ICU. I was in ICU for the first night, as this is standard for my surgeon, and stayed until I had my barium swallow the next day. I am a chronic pain patient and have a very high tolerence to narcotic pain medications. Therefore, it was a bit difficult to manage my pain immediately post-op. When I told the nurse how much pain I was in, she replied, "Well, did you think you would have no pain? You had gastric bypass surgery!" I was so out of it and in pain that I didn't question what she had said. In fact, I didn't recall this until two days later. She was a good nurse in terms of her skills, but that comment along with a couple of others were out of line and inappropriate. However, when I went for my barrium swallow AKA leak test and it was okay, I went on the third floor and my wonderful experience with these nurses more than compensated for the one bad apple. The nurses on Floor three were highly educated about gastric bypass and the needs of the patient. They encouraged sufficient fluid intake, checked the trays from the kitchen to make sure they contained what they should, etc. In fact, one day, I was brought my tray which should have included broth, diet apple juice and sugar-free jello. Instead, it had a frozen sorbet, grape juice and chicken noodle soup. I obviously knew this was the wrong tray so I didn't eat anything. But when the nurse saw it, she immediately called the kitchen and emphasized the importance of her patients getting the right trays, and asked them to please be more mindful. One of the nurses brushed my hair for me and they all talked to me as an equal. When I left the hospital, one of my favorite nurses there, Bonnie, hugged me and asked me to please come and visit so she could see my progress. She said that she always enjoys working with the WLS patients but the only bad thing was she always wondered how they were doing after surgery. I promised I would visit her and I intend on keeping that promise. I really thought she was a doll! While I was in the hospital, my surgeon visited me daily, the program coordinator Jen visited me, my nutricionist visited me, etc. I was so well-cared for and felt like I was in the best hands during my entire stay. I would definitely, without a doubt, recommend this hospital to anyone. In fact, I have. I have two friends who I referred to Dr. Drinkwater for WLS and they are going through the program now. I would happily stay at this hospital again. Southern New Hampshire Medical Center is top notch. Not only were my medical needs met, but my emotional needs were as well. "

David Drinkwater
"I liked Dr. Drinkwater immediately. One thing I look for in doctors upon meeting them, is their confidence. He was definitely confident! He was thorough and explained the surgery in great detail. He gave a presentation to the group and I admired his knowledge. He actually founded the Obesity Center in Nashua, N.H. and received all of his training in Boston. I have total confidence in him so far. His office staff, Jenn, is wonderful. She is the program coordinator. When I say she is great, I mean she is FABULOUS. What an organized, sweet person. She keeps you posted on all meetings and classes that take place. She returns all calls and is so kind. What I love best about Dr. Drinkwater's program is the way it is set up. It is very structured, and I love that. It makes me feel safe. I wouldn't want to get surgery done by a doctor who doesn't require all of these things. Sure, it takes time and I know people want the surgery NOW, but I have enjoyed the process. It has given me time to think and research. Dr. Drinkwater has a team of people who work with every pre-op. The team consists of the surgeon (Dr. Drinkwater), the dietician, the psychiatrist and Jenn. This is the way Dr. Drinkwater does this program: When you first call to inquire about the surgery, they mail you out a patient assessment. After you complete it and send it back, they contact you for an appointment with Dr. Drinkwater. You then attend a patient seminar the same day. You have to attend at least 2 support group meetings. They have, I believe, at least 2 a month. You then will be contacted to meet with the dietician who develops a plan for you and reviews your current way of eating. Also, you are informed by the dietician as to how much weight you need to lose prior to surgery (in my case it is 20 lbs). You meet with the nutricianist every month to check your progress and talk about any dietary concerns. During this time, you attend (4) 2 hour classes with a psychologist. They are skills classes and are very useful. You also get to meet other pre-ops, which is great. When you have made steady progress in terms of your weight loss, the nutricianist schedules an appointment with the psyciatrist. The psych. mails you out an in-depth questionaire which you complete and bring with you the day of your evaluation with him. It is great, because the psychiatrist works on the bariatrics team and is familiar with WLS. So you don't have to worry if he is against the surgery as a whole. Whether or not it is right for you is another story, but he is open minded about the surgery, as this is a big part of his overall job. Once a month, the "team" meets to discuss the pre-ops and where they are in the process. From what I have observed, once you show consistent weight loss towards your required loss, and you have attended the skills classes and support groups, your name will be on the roster for discussion. Dr. Drinkwater will decide if you have met all of the criteria. At this point, you get a date to meet with him again to discuss the surgery in more detail. They then submit it to insurance and you get a date. I have heard the after care that Dr. Drinkwater provides is excellent. I have met many post-ops that had Dr. Drinkwater and they all love him. They follow you very closely throughout the first year and will always be in your life thereafter. They care about their patients and it is obvious. I would give Dr. Drinkwater and his staff a 10. I have no complaints at all. I don't mind having to lose weight before, because as they explain, it shows a commitment to the program and to yourself. "
About Me
NH
Location
19.3
BMI
RNY
Surgery
08/11/2004
Surgery Date
Jun 26, 2003
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
This was taken in Turks and Caicos when I was on vacation in 2003. I remember feeling like I was dying due to the heat. I was so heavy and uncomfortable at this time in my life. Thank God for WLS!!!
268 lbslbs
July 2005. Almost a year post-op!
120 lbslbs
Friends 32
×