Is this normal for a hospital stay?

Hello,

Well, I am 3 days post op after having an uplift and BA on Sunday. All is going well but I am a little bit 'miffed' about my stay in the hospital nd I just feel like I want to get it off my new, much nicer, chest :) !!

So...the nurses weren't overly warm or friendly, but this I could deal with. However, I had my operation in the afternoon, after having ordered my post op meal etc. When I came round I was put back in my room and all was said to be 'OK'. By 9pm I was actually feeling like I might want to eat something and so I asked the nurse about my tea, and they looked shocked and said that they would let someone know that I hadn't had my dinner yet. After a while I started to feel a little sicky and drowsy and so I didn't bother re-mentioning that I hadn't been brought any food but I did ask for some water, which they did actually bring me a while later.

At about 11pm the nurses came to check on me and said I had a bit of a high pulse rate but that that was fine...I felt terrible though! I then spent the night kept awake by the nurses who were sat outside chatting and laughing soooo loudly until about 4am. I knew other patients were complaining as I could hear their bells going, but the nurses didn't seem to take any notice.

After being told that I could make it to the toilet on my own I spent the night up and down (very slowly) to the bathroom dragging my drains with me...but it was a lot of effort and discomfort as every time it was a 'false alarm'. When trying to pull myself upright at about 5 am I leant on my drain and felt it dislodge or move slightly. I called the nurse who said it was fine and so I went back to sleep. I then woke up an hour later covered in blood...which was a bit terrifying really! I thought my boob had exploded!! The nurse came in and 'tut tutted' a lot as they sorted me out, as if I had done something very wrong!!

Anyway, at 10 am, after no breakfast and feeling rather funny after taking pills on an empty stomach, I was abruptly told my driver had been waiting 'for ages' and that I had to hurry up, get dressed, get my drugs and go home. I was then left to put on my sports bra (I had to guess which size as I had bought different ones), get dressed and carry my own bag out to the driver without even a good bye, furher check up or any instructions from the nurses! By the time I got home after a 3 hour drive I was very sick and dizzy and the driver had to literally put me into bed, and then my sister later came home and forced a banana down my throat.

I am sorry to waffle but I just feel a little sad after paying all that money I just didn't feel like they were very attentive at all. I am not really one to complain but I was just wondering if this was normal?! I know they deal with patients day in and day out but I still felt that they did less than the bear minimum to make my stay comfortable.

I now feel very clueless as to what to do! My dressings look OK but there is some blood there. I know I am not to get them wet and I am going in to have a post op in a few days and I think they will remove them there.

I was just wondering whether anyone had had a similar experience. I feel happy, I think, with the results but I just don't know whether I should mention something to the agency I booked it through or am I being overly sensitive, tired and emotional!?! Which is a possibility at the moment :)

Any thoughts ladies!?1

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If anynone actualy reads all that then thank you!!

Head is still a little fuzzy and I'm not really sure it makes any sense :)

Oh hunni, that's dreadful! That really isn't the sort of care you should have expected at all

I had my surgery with Transform and stayed at the Abbey Pines, I was really ill when I came back from theatre and wasn't up to eating at all, but after a couple of hours I was asked if I'd like to try something and I said I would, one look at the food, which was beautifully presented and under different circumstances I would have wolfed it down, but right then, it just turned my stomach and the nurses simply took it away with no fuss, they continued throughout the day and night to try to encourage me to eat with biscuits and toast, they were very attentive and very kind.

I had a bleed too and was taken very good care of and made to feel comfortable, I kept breaking out in a sweat too as my blood pressure kept dropping so they searches for fans for me and couldn't do enough... upon discharge I was talked through the emergency numbers and made to feel that it wouldn't be a problem to call if I was at all concerned - I was actually made to feel very special, which is what you expect from private care isn't it.

I doubt you'll get anything other than an apology for your care hun, but you should call I feel and complain about your treatment, if only for them to take note that you weren't satisfied and hopefully it will be adressed in the future.

Congrats on the new boobies BTW! xx

Oh no Shamp6 soo sorry to hear about your unsatisfactory experience :( did you get a customer service form to fill in at the hospital? or you should get one in the post in next few weeks then you could fill in appropriately so it doesnt happen to anyone else!! That is terrible about you not being fed afta the op or before you went home. Sounds like you had some not very caring or professional 'caring professionals'
I think you should always report poor customer service as how can they improve their service if no-one tells them anything!! You are doing the company a favour!!

Hope this is not taking the shine of your fantastic new boobs tho hun
J x x

I had an amazing experience at Abbey Pines also Cookie they are so good there couldnt fault them on anything

this sounds terrible hun, i would def complain about how you was treated.
try and take it easy hun and enjoy your new

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That is terrible hun. I had my BA at the highgate and the treatment I recieved was very different from what you experienced. I would make a complaint as that really is bad service. I know people who have had better service from the NHS. xx

Thank you ladies! I feel better having had a little whinge.

I just wasn't sure whether I was being mad! I just felt so disregarded really!
I arrived very anxious but mostly excited, and then felt like I was knocked down a bit and things just went from bad to worse. Like you say Pinkbabe, I think I could have been treated better in a general hospital!

Oh well, the main thing is my surgeon was great and I think, fingers crossed, I have the boobs that I have always wanted so I am not going to dwell on it. Although, I am going to mention it as I don't want anyone having no food, drink or sleep when they go there. It is a big scary thing to do and you want to feel like you are in good hands.

Quick question...during these few days before I go in for my post op should I be doing anything?! Like massaging my boobs or anything?! Which I kind of am doing anyway as I can't help but have a little feel around as I can't believe they're real :)

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Sorry to hear you were treated so poorly by the hospital staff hun. I would definately give them feedback as to how poor your stay was and hopefully it will reach some office bod who will have something to say to the nurses in question.

I can't believe you weren't given any instructions post op before you left the hospital. This is the part that disgusts me the most as you are unaware of what to do. If I were you I would be on the phone to the hospital or your pc demanding some instruction as you get told different things by your own hospital as to how you should approach your healing and you don't want to do anything detrimental to that. Hope you get some answers xx

Shamp6 wrote:Quick question...during these few days before I go in for my post op should I be doing anything?! Like massaging my boobs or anything?! Which I kind of am doing anyway as I can't help but have a little feel around as I can't believe they're real :)

Nope, you should be resting and leaving your new boobies well alone hunni, allowing them time to heal. If you're jiggling them around this early post-op you're not giving your wounds a chance to knit together sweetheart and most definately don't massage them unless instructed to do so by your clinic sweetie, it's OK to have a little feel around, we all do that, but try not to disturb them too much hun. xxx

Thank you Cookie...I shall leave them well alone!

Peachy34 wrote:
I can't believe you weren't given any instructions post op before you left the hospital. This is the part that disgusts me the most as you are unaware of what to do. If I were you I would be on the phone to the hospital or your pc demanding some instruction as you get told different things by your own hospital as to how you should approach your healing and you don't want to do anything detrimental to that. Hope you get some answers xx

This is what really upset me i think! I felt like a new mum taking her baby home for the first time having not been given any advice as to how to care for them...I know that sounds mad :)

I am feeling much stronger now so I am going to make some calls so then I can just get on with it and get better xx

That's so awful. I went to abbey park with transform and the nurses couldn't do enough for me. Food was brought post op as and when u wanted it and great post instructions. You paid a lot if money for your op and stay and should def complain.

Hope you're loving your new boobs and congrats on the new additions

I have been told at post op to start massaging boobs and scar at 4 weeks post op, but def call and ask for specific instructions for you.

The swines!! That is poor service indeed. There is no way that you should have been treated like that. Not on at all but I am glad to hear that you are happy with your new additions, I would phone the HMG up and give them a round of you know whats for sure. xoxoxoxxoo

Hey Hun. I am appalled at the treatment you received, that's awful !! I too had DR Frati and I went to Highgate Hospital just a few days before you and I don't mean to rub it in but the treatment I received was completely different to what you received.

My nurse who looked after me thursday was absolutely lovely and she was constantly in / out checking up on me and asking if she could get me or my boyfriend anything. The night nurse was equally lovely and kept popping in to check all was ok. Like you I popped to the loo during the night and accidently pulled my right drain out a little which caused some bleeding and when I called for the night nurse, she came in and dealt with it for me.

On the Friday, the nurses helped me to put my bra on and Dr frati popped in before I was discharged and took the time to check all was ok. Then when I actually left (my boyfriend had asked me to meet him outside given the nightmare car parking situation) they carried my bags out to reception where he met me. The nurse who had looked after me on the Thursday was back on duty and even came and gave me a hug good-bye.

I would definitely speak to your clinic and explain that your unhappy with the level of service you received. You've paid alot of money for your op and not only is the surgeon a big factor or the aftercare but also the care you receive at the hospital.

I'm just so sorry that you didn't receive the level of care and attention that you so deserved.

Xx

omg.... im so sorry to read about ur ba experience... i would defo get in contact with ur clinic and explain how its mad u feel, having your ba is quite a big thing u should of defo had more support and understanding from them as u quite rightly said u have paid for the after care that u deserve..... xxxx

No honey this is not how you should be treated at all. Who discharged you? Did you not see your ps before you left the hospital? I'd give your pcc a ring and explain what happed. :mad:

*Sally* wrote:Did you not see your ps before you left the hospital? I'd give your pcc a ring and explain what happed. :mad:

My surgeon popped in about an hour after surgery on the Sunday before he went home. He was very sweet to be honest and I don't have any complaints regarding him. He is actually the only thing/person that didn't upset me during the whole experience :)

Oh...a nurse I had never seen before came in to discharge me and gave me a little note to hand in to reception. I did this but the lady on the desk didn't even really look at me and just took it out of my hand while she was on the phone and waved me away.

Some girls on here actually went to the same hospital so I am shocked how different our experiences are. I guess it depends a lot on which nurses are on duty etc . I must have just been unlucky...maybe it was because it was a Sunday and no one likes to work on a Sunday?!

Oh my god! that is inexcusable!! I'm so sorry you had such a bad time - their behaviour was well out of order. I would definitely have lots to say!

Such a shame - it should have been a really lovely time for you... personally I was made to feel really special too - the nurses couldn't do enough for me and were so friendly and caring. I almost didn't want to leave!

You get them told hunni!!!
Mx

That's terrible, I can't believe you were treated like that! I think you should definitely raise the subject with someone and report what has happened. I do think it depends on the individual staff though but that is no excuse as they are representing the hospital!

Your treatment sounds awful and Id go as far as saying it was negletful. The nurses shouldve had performed regular obs, ensured you something to eat and had a wee before you were discharged. This is basic post op nursing. Feel embarrassed to be part of the profession when I hear patients stories like this. I would complain in writing personally if only to stop it happenning to someone else.
Grr so annoyed on your behalf.......

Oh hun I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience! It is not normal to be treated like that and I definately think you should write a letter of complaint! I went to Prague for my surgery and the care was much better than that!! Anyway congrats on your new boobies - rest up now and look after them! x

OMG reading your account has made me so mad I cannot believe the way you were treated, you have just been through an op for goodness sakes, the last thing you need is this sort of treatment!

Tbh hun my nurses couldn't have done anything more for me, I was very well looked aftered and your experience is just unbelievable!

I would definately write a letter of complaint, it's not on at all and they just be made aware of how they have made you feel, it should have been a really nice experience.

Hope the boobettes are doing well thou, lots of rest and happy healing

Thank you ladies!
Thinking back on it now it makes me feel quite angry! I guess the nurses who were on duty need to be told. They are going to have girls coming in there all the time and they should all be treated the same and it shouldn't just be about luck of the draw!
I am going to start constructing my letter today

Good luck!! Let us know how you get on!!

To be honest after thinking about your situation I'd also mention it to your surgeon as well. I think he'd be appalled as well. Not only is his work (surgery) obviously important but so is your aftercare at the hospital and that also reflects badly on him which I'm sure he will want to avoid!!

Xx