Solo traveller, Garramone and private nursing care

[dissipate]

Did anyone engage private nursing care for the first 24h after their surgery with Dr Garramone?

How was it, and how much did it cost?

I am a solo traveller, quite independent, and I appreciate lots of privacy, so I am not so keen on staying at NBR (heard that their rooms have no locks either). Might end up staying at the Weston Comfort Suites since the rate they offer to Garramone's patients is not too bad, and it seems to be walking distance from the supermarket?

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. I haven't had any experience with Dr Garramone but I would prefer to remain under the care that the doctor provides. Should an issue occur, they would be better trained to handle it and they would be able to contact the doctor quickly if needed. All the hospitals I have been in don't have locks on the doors for good reasons. If the staff needs to get in their quickly a lock isn't a good idea. Besides that, the people there for surgery so they tend not to wander around much and respect the boundary where the door is even when the door is open.

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[dissipate]

Welcome to Susan's Place. I haven't had any experience with Dr Garramone but I would prefer to remain under the care that the doctor provides. Should an issue occur, they would be better trained to handle it and they would be able to contact the doctor quickly if needed. All the hospitals I have been in don't have locks on the doors for good reasons. If the staff needs to get in their quickly a lock isn't a good idea. Besides that, the people there for surgery so they tend not to wander around much and respect the boundary where the door is even when the door is open.

Thank you Dena! Guess it might be awhile before other people respond. Garramone doesn't require people to be hospitalized, but requires that someone remain with you for 24h post-op.

My concern about locking the door has really to do with leaving valuables in the room when I am out, and not so much locking myself in

[Rebo]

Hey Dissipate. I just had my top with Dr. Sassini on the 12th and I'm staying at NBR. Tbh I haven't looked to see if I could lock my door or not. Staying here isn't like staying in a hotel room. I'm a very socially awkward person (my hubs can be too) but we have found staying at NBR to be very worth it. They have left us alone for the most part just checking in and giving a hand if we need it and ask for it. I'm sure if you discussed your need for privacy they would oblige while also being able to help you when you need it. It's rather easy to avoid everyone if you want to. Plus it's great not having to worry about food, transportation, or a private nurse while you recoup.


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[Dena]

Thank you Dena! Guess it might be awhile before other people respond. Garramone doesn't require people to be hospitalized, but requires that someone remain with you for 24h post-op.

My concern about locking the door has really to do with leaving valuables in the room when I am out, and not so much locking myself in

Last time I was in the hospital, before surgery they gave me a small bag to put my valuables in. I fit my K-50 pentax camera, Small iPhone and wallet in the bag. This was sealed and given to security to hold until I was awake again. The remainder of my luggage was in my room waiting. I limited myself and left the laptop at home so there wasn't much of value in my luggage. I had forgot that there was about $200 in my luggage just incase I should lose my wallet however it was still there and untouched after surgery.

I have been with some of the girls who had surgery here and they tend to leave the luggage where I can watch it for them while they are in surgery. After surgery, meetings with others tend to take place in the hall or at the suggestion of a staff member. Nobody enters the room of another without permission.

[dissipate]

Thanks for sharing your experiences Rebo and Dena!

After reading some posts on volatile moods at NBR, I decided to go with Airbnb and the private nurse.

So... I am booked in for surgery with Garramone at end March. Any suggestions on what to prepare / stock up on?

On my list so far:
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
- Paracetamol
- 2 button-down shirts and track pants
- Wet wipes
- Bendy straws

[Dena]

Plenty of light entertainment. You may not want to concentrate much after surgery but you will want something for the boredom. This could be reading, movies or even games but your not going to feel like doing much work right after surgery. 

[Alexthecat]

Back scratcher. Also don't get the wet wipes too close to the drain holes.

[dissipate]

Thank you to Dena and Alexthecat for your support!

I wanted to leave some notes in here for future solo travellers:

- There is a Publix just about 100m from Garramone's office where you can fill your prescriptions. An elderly lady at the pharmacy was nice to me and tried to sell me the Hibiclens and compression socks without my asking. I do not think you need the compression socks.

- If you need a US number, that Publix sells just one plan - NET10 Wireless. It is about $50 for 3 months of unlimited calls, texts, data, but once you hit 500MB, the speed will slow down. You can find it at the gift cards section. It worked with my non-US phone. The package contains a normal SIM, micro SIM and nano SIM, so you should not have to worry about size compatibility.

- For solo travellers that need to engage private nursing for the first 24 hours, Garramone's clinic recommends a lady (name can be shared in a PM) from FirstAt Nursing Services. She is pleasant and responsive, but only does the coordination portion and is not the person that will be helping you out. Maybe she is more like a salesperson? She will meet you at Garramone's office when you go down for your pre-op consult, and get you to sign papers. What you get are "Home Health Aides" for the first 24 hours. One will pick you up post-op and drive you home. An RN will drop by shortly and do a short checkup on you plus teach the HHA how to empty your drains. A HHA was with me for about 6 hours, before another took over for the night shift, and the first HHA returned for the morning shift. I was not impressed at all with the HHAs and would not recommend FirstAt. They will not take any corrective action or compensate you for their services falling short. Not even an apology. If you would like details, you may PM. You might want to do research on what other nursing services are available at Fort Lauderdale, and whether the HHAs can run errands for you.

- I am not sure what staying at the Weston Comfort Suites would have been like, but I am glad that my Airbnb is within walking distance from a Publix and a pharmacy. I have no car and had to walk to the pharmacy twice, to get Miralax first, and then real laxatives. The HHAs would not have done it for me. I think the Weston is not within walking distance of the nearest Publix at Weston town centre.

Edit:

- Kelli had told me of a solo traveller who stayed at an Airbnb, room only. The owner, Charles, was super nice to him and even drove him to his appointment with Garramone. If it's helpful to anyone, I managed to track the Airbnb listing down, and Kelli confirmed that this is the guy https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/14805922