"My own experience was REALLY sad. I certainly hope that everyone else has a much better hospitalization than I did. The surgery itself was apparently okay, and the recovery room experience was WONDERFUL! (I wish I'd gotten THAT nurses' name) but once I was put in a room, it was ALL downhill from there. I only stayed overnight, surgery was completed at 2:30 pm on Thursday, and I went HOME at 6:30 pm on Friday. Things got MUCH better once I got HOME. I admit that I was probably NOT an "ideal" patient, but I really felt that I should have had a little more attention from the nursing staff. Since I was not one of the "sicker" patients, I am sure they were busy with the ones who needed them more than I did."
"When I finally got the chance to meet with Dr. Symmonds face to face, I knew that he was pretty easy going. He obviously knows his stuff, and is VERY clear to anyone that the surgery is ONLY a tool, and your results will depend on how YOU use it. He looks a bit like Groucho Marx, with the big, bushy moustache. He is a VERY busy man, and even though he doesn't rush you, it is apparent that he has many other people in line to see him. This is most pronunced simply in the number of "hoops" you have to jump through to even get in to see him. I did have a small problem with one of the office staff on one occasion, but I have since been told that she does kind of have a Jeckyl & Hyde type of personality. At any rate, I KNOW they're VERY BUSY, but as far as I'm concerned, there's NO excuse for the comment that she made to me. I couldn't speak up for myself at that time, cause I didn't want her to "lose" my paperwork, but I'm glad I don't have to deal with her anymore. The nurse practitioner that works with him is tough, and seldom hands out any "atta boys" but she knows what she's doing, and doesn't "sugar coat" anything. Kind of feels like boot camp sometimes. There are support group meetings at the hospital twice monthly, and I have attended (and for the most part, enjoyed) them. They do provide some information, and support.
Overall, I was/am very pleased with Dr. Symmonds, and the outcome of the surgery. After waiting, and chasing the proverbial carrot that I had to chase for 18 months before surgery, I was just thrilled to finally get it over with!"
