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Post by jskasick on Nov 5, 2012 16:21:45 GMT -5
I have spoken with Dr. Greenbaum in NJ over the weekend and he feels that I would be a great candidate for a full DS revision from my current RNY after looking over my OP report. He is now sending me for an upper GI next week and a cardiac and pulmonary eval as soon as I can get it scheduled with my primary doctor. I am happy to hear he is willing to work with me, but I am scared. I know that traveling there is a HUGE expense as he requires the patient to stay in the hospital for 5 days followed by staying in NJ for the following week to ensure complete recovery by the time I am released to go back home (to MO). Does anyone have any revision experience with Dr. Greenbaum? Does anyone live in or near Willingboro NJ that could point me in the direction of really cheap accomodations (I am on a VERY tight budget) for my husband while I am in the hospital and for both of us during the following week that I am out under his care? Thanks in advance  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2012 19:15:03 GMT -5
You will be having surgery in Mt. Holly at Virtua Memorial Hospital. I live not far from there and will be happy to assist. PM me and we'll get in touch with each other . |
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Post by Leonie on Nov 5, 2012 22:26:07 GMT -5
You are on your way! I travelled all the way from South Africa to LA so I know the feeling.
You and hubby could possibly check out of the hotel while you are in hospital. My daughter even had a bed and she could order meals for $5. Check it out..
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Post by willowrayne on Nov 5, 2012 22:43:26 GMT -5
I had a virgin DS with Dr Greenbaum 4 weeks ago and can tell you that he is an excellent surgeon. Also, I my experience with Virtua hospital was very good.
Good luck. Dr G will not do the surgery unless he feels you are a good candidate.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards
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Post by jskasick on Nov 6, 2012 12:24:15 GMT -5
I'm not sure how his hospital handles it. I know when I had my original surgery in Chicago they actually had a special housing for the immediate family of those that are inpatient to stay at a discounted rate. It was nothing fancy, but it was a fully furnished efficiency apartment for around $30 a day or so. When I had my children he was welcome to stay in the additional bed in the room for no charge, he just had to pay for meals if he wanted them. I know nothing of the area or how the hospital works and I cannot find anything about it on the website.
I was hoping to find someone who has been in the situation of travling to have surgery with Dr. Greenbaum to let me know how things progress with the hospital and how they went about it. Revisions require a 2 week stay in NJ total. That can get really expensive really fast.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2012 16:55:30 GMT -5
I highly doubt Virtua has anything like that available, but I've been wrong before. To the best of my knowledge, there is no Ronald McDonald House in Mt. Holly. You will be in a private room with a semi-reclining chair, but the rooms are tiny and I don't know what their policy is about sleepovers. I have my doubts on that, too.
Something that might be worth checking out (and I will do a little footwork on this for you, as I have the occasional real estate agent connection) is a short term rental.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2012 17:07:20 GMT -5
It looks like Extended Stay America would run around $80 plus tax. It's in a handy location for access to roadways, but a sucky location for grocery and related shopping. So there's a ballpark figure against which to compare other options.
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Post by jskasick on Nov 7, 2012 9:31:27 GMT -5
I had thought about short term rental. I was looking on craigslist and surprisingly there are a few that seem to charge the same amount for an entire month as a hotel is charging for the 2 weeks we would need to be there. I am still looking at my options, price is a big factor. Thanks for all your help! |
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Post by willowrayne on Nov 7, 2012 9:55:36 GMT -5
I would think that Dr Greenbaum's office would have information also since many people do travel for his revisions.
I certainly could be wrong about that... It just seems they should.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 11:50:58 GMT -5
I had thought about short term rental. I was looking on craigslist and surprisingly there are a few that seem to charge the same amount for an entire month as a hotel is charging for the 2 weeks we would need to be there. I am still looking at my options, price is a big factor. Thanks for all your help! Feel free to link me to any places you're interested in. I can let you know how far away they really are, as distance is relative in NJ . And if you get that far, I could possibly look at a place in person. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 11:57:22 GMT -5
I would think that Dr Greenbaum's office would have information also since many people do travel for his revisions. I certainly could be wrong about that... It just seems they should. Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards They generally recommend the hotels near the turnpike, or the Residence Inn in Mt. Laurel, far as I know. Those are all very good options, but if CHEAP is super important, there are other possibilities . The mom and pop places are very hit and miss, so I don't think they ever recommend those. You kinda have to know the people/places in person to get an okay place of that kind. Plus, since they are in Willingboro, they tend to not know what's in other locales. For folks not from NJ: Willingboro is an older "planned town," constructed in the postwar era. It's housing development after housing development, all rather aging, and not much for shopping or any other form of entertainment. It's an odd place. |
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Post by horselover44 on Nov 7, 2012 13:09:54 GMT -5
Small world, my husband was born in Mt Holly and grew up in Pemberton. His entire family still lives in that area.
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Post by willowrayne on Nov 7, 2012 13:38:17 GMT -5
Thinking about this.... My advice knowing the area.... Stick with a hotel chain like the Extended stay or a B&B. The area is good but they do not have a homeless shelter and welfare houses a lot of the homeless in area motels.
OR take EN up on the offer to check them in person.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 15:45:54 GMT -5
Small world, my husband was born in Mt Holly and grew up in Pemberton. His entire family still lives in that area. Small world indeed! I look forward to LEAVING this area for good. I dislike the climate immensely, except for the marvelous fruits and veggies it supports  . We cannot afford to retire here, that's for sure. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 16:31:35 GMT -5
Thinking about this.... My advice knowing the area.... Stick with a hotel chain like the Extended stay or a B&B. The area is good but they do not have a homeless shelter and welfare houses a lot of the homeless in area motels. OR take EN up on the offer to check them in person. Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards Yes, this is important. There are a couple of mom and pop type places in my town that are clean and trustworthy, but you really have to know what you're getting with such places. I'm so torn about the way Burlington County does this with sheltering homeless folks. On one hand it helps keep these small businesses going. But so many of these places are away from public transportation, so you're sunk if you don't have a car. And the less scrupulous owners soak the people for every penny they have. My pastor is on a board that's working on this issue. They've just finished a video that's on Youtube. I'll call him real quick and put up a link. Okay, just got off the phone with him. Look up on Youtube "Citizens Serving the Homeless." |
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Post by zoetrope on Nov 8, 2012 8:51:05 GMT -5
I did this; I'm just happy he's still doing a full RNY to DS.
I came four days before (to do the pre-surgery testing), stayed the full five days in the ICU (yea, ICU), and then 10 days (I think) afterwards in an area hotel. It was very costly to be sure. Don't have any tips on how to save money, as I found none.
Be sure to get a HANDICAPPED room, as you want a walk-in shower.
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. We cannot afford to retire here, that's for sure. 
