Questions before surgery with Dr. Fielding

[Travelbum]

I have my surgery scheduled with Dr. Fielding on September 23.  I have a couple of questions. 

First question:  Since I live in Montreal I am taking the train to Toronto with a friend.  How important is it that I stay overnight in the hospital.  Wouldn't it be more comfortable to be at my hotel with people I know?  Is there a danger risk by leaving the hospital?

Second question:  In Dr. Fielding's packet there is an ad for a hotel that is supposed to be 5 min from the hospital (I think it is the Sheraton Lakeside).  How important is it that I stay that close to the hospital?  Wouldn't a nicer/cheaper hotel downtown be a better move?  Is a cab ride that far from the hospital that it would be worth staying 5 minutes from the hospital in a more expensive hotel?  I am inclined to use a travel web site to find a nice 4 star hotel downtown for less and a more appealing neighborhood (since I have to stay for three days) than they are asking for the Sheraton Lakeside which doesn't have that high of a star rating.  My friend who is accompanying me thinks it is vital that we are close to the hospital.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[billygoat21]

If you have someone with you, then I would opt for the hotel over the hospital. You have to stay overnight in the hospital if you have nobody else with you. 5 minutes from the hospital, 20 minutes from the hospital....not really a big deal IMO. I was driven about 30 minutes after my surgery to go home, while it was uncomfortable, i handled it just fine. you won't be leaving that hotel room much so get the room you want, if you can afford a good one, go for it.

[854clc]

I didn't really like the hospital when I had my sugery with Fielding last week- the food portions were way too small, it was hard to sleep, and the nurse kept coming every few hours to measure my blood pressure/temperature. It was also VERY boring. It may be painful for you to get up and go to the hotel after the surgery, but it can be done if you take pain medication. But I recommend you stay in the hospital bed for a few hours after surgery (or until Fielding comes to visit you after the surgery).

I don't think its important to stay at a hotel close to the hospital. The day after the surgery, I stayed downtown at Le Meridien King Edward (a 4 star downtown hotel). It was nice staying at a 4 star hotel b/c the beds were nice and comfortable...it was just a more pleasant experience after the surgery. Also, because it was downtown, I could go to many places that were in walking distance (e.g., Eaton Centre). The cab ride from the hospital to there came to $18.50..and its a 15 minute cab ride. I got it for $82 USD ($98 USD including all taxes) on hotwire.com, while the Sheraton lakeside was $135 plus taxes..

[Travelbum]

Thanks guys for the info.  I figured it was like that.  The only reason I was considering a hospital overnighter was in case I need something for pain.  I guess I could always ask Fielding for a script.  Is pain medication (other than aspirin) necessary?

I think I will pamper myself and stay in a 4 star downtown.  Since I am going to be there 3 days I might want to walk somewhere interesting if I feel up to it.

Thanks again for the info.  How are you doing 854clc?  Have you been able to take the vest off yet?  If so, how does it look?  Good luck on a speedy recovery.

[Newmen]

I'm from Montreal and had surgery 4 weeks ago with Fielding . Sorry to disappoint but the star rating on travel sites is b.s. they make their own star rating. Look it up and you will find a lot of bad experiences with those travel sites. I was thinking the same thing when i had my surgery with Fielding. I wanted a cheaper hotel nicer hotel....but there are none 135 for the king Edward is not impressive since the Sheraton is 100$ and not bad at all . And at that time of the year they will probably upgrade you since it is not going to be full. Since you need to keep your activity level to a minimum after surgery you probably don't need to be close to the downtown area.
Best of luck with your surgery

[Newmen]

I was not clear for the price of the hotel there is a deal if you have surgery a St-Joseph for the sheraton at a 100 dollars so it is the same price as the other deal minus the transport since it is closer.

[854clc]

To clarify, these were the rates I was quoted when I booked my hotels:

Sheraton Lakeside: $135 CAD plus taxes. The agent told me that this is the compassionate rate with the promotion code given. The $100 rate was 2 years ago, so I think it must have gone up. Also, I've heard of many people on this board who were not even able to get the compassionate rate at Sheraton Lakeside. Also, keep in mind that the hotel is in front of the Gardiner expressway, so if you have a room facing the expressway it could be loud.

Le Meridien King Edward: I stayed here for $98 USD per night (including all taxes/fees...from hotwire). I got a better deal than staying at the Sheraton Lakeside (even when you factor in the additional transportation costs). I really think its worthwile staying here after the surgery- the bed was nice and comfortable, and the staff was very accomodating with me. They helped me lift my bags (even in the room), and they got me a special sponge for sponge baths, they gave me an amenity kit, etc. I definitely think this hotel deserves its 4 star rating.

There may be other 4 star hotels available on hotwire. I know there was also Hyatt for around the same price as the Le Meridien when I was staying.

After surgery, you'll be given a prescription for pain...probably Tylenol 3. You can fill the prescription at the hospital pharmacy before you leave for your hotel. I only used the painkillers once, which was when I was leaving the hospital. Besides that, I never really had the need. Fielding told me that most patients only use painkillers for 2-3 days after the surgery.

I'm feeling quite well right now. No pain, but the vest does make me itchy at times and less flexible. Baths are a bit of an inconvenience, but I'm managing. I haven't taken off the vest yet...I'll be doing that tomorrow. I hate how the pads make me look 5 pounds heavier at the chest…but I think people are noticing that my chest is flatter now (I had a really bad case before the surgery that made me look 10 pounds heavier than I really was). I have no idea what to expect when I open it (I'm a bit nervous)...Fielding told me that he removed a lot of gland+fat, and that it should look good.

[sinaloa]

What about the Days Inn on 14 Roncesvalles Avenue
King St West and Queensway
Toronto, ON M6R 2K3 CA.

seems to be closest hotel to the hospital and is about 83 bucks a night.

I think this is the closest and in walking distance? Am i correct?

[Grandpa Bambu]

Yup...  there are plenty of hotels to choose from that are close to St. Joe's... 

GB...