Hello! I'm Jeff and I live near Toronto. I am having my first surgery at Mt. Sinai Hospital next week. Then the second one about 3 months later. Just wondering about other peoples experiences from the Toronto area. Anyone else been to Mt. Sinai?

Hi Jeff,

I'm from Toronto too. I've heard that Mt. Sinai is the best for gastro surgery.
I did spend some time at Mt. Sinai when I had a UC flare up a few years ago.

I had my surgery at St. Mike's

You are in Great hands at Mt Sinai..had most of mine done there with Dr Cohen...it is his service...the 'girls' are great..the teams well informed and devoted to you and your care...take cloroseptic spary for your throat if you get tickles or sore throat after surgical intubation..cut down on the coughing post op (not negligible!)..also breath mints and something that smells good to you..cologne, essential oils etc..;nice to have a good smell around when you are feeling sick..say hi to all of the nurses there from me...
Sharon

Sharon, I am in Mount Sinai right now. Colon was removed 6 days ago. Yes the team here is the best anywhere. Cloroseptic spray will prevent me from coughing? I'll have to try it. I have got a cough the odd time and it feels like someone plunging a knife into my main incision.How long ago were you here? Yes the nurses are great. Couldnt ask for better nurses.

Chloroseptic spray is available in all drug stores in Toronto..keeps the throat tickle, irritation etc away..you can also ask someone to bring you cough stips for the coughing...yes, I remember the pain..put a pillow on your abdomen before coughing...
I was last in Mt Sinai in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 etc...Dr. Cohen even flew to Paris to operate on me 2 years ago! When i could no longer travel...Who is your ET?? Walk around as much as possible..go down to the second cup and sniff the coffee and dream of a latée.
By the way, my very first real meal back in 1979 when Dr. C did my k pouch (I fasted on liquids for 1 month!)was to order lasagna from Pizza-Pizza!
It took me 3 days to get rid of it but boy did I smile while it went down!
Sharon

Yes I've been down to the second cup. All the baked goods smell wonderful! I cant decide what my first meal should be once I finally get out of the hospital. I've been checking out local restaurants on the net so I can see what local choices I could have. Do you think some Poutine would kill me? There is a place on Queen Street that makes poutine. Thats all they make. It looks sooo good. I'd love to get a bowl of it on my way home.

Hi!

This is a pretty delayed response, but I just joined this group and I am from Toronto! I had three surgeries, all done at Mount Sinai by Doctor Macrae.

What was your first meal

I had my first surgery, a total colectomy, a year ago (December 8) and was hospitalized for two weeks, went home for a few hours, went back the hospital in an ambulance with a perforated duodenal ulcer that had to be operated on immediately, and spent the rest of the month in the hospitalon the 14th floor. So I can't believe its a year later and I feel so blessed to be able to spend the holidays at home.

Hi Tana,
Welcome to Mt Sinai and the 14th floor...we are all veterans...I love the team, girls and all of the docs are great...I have even gone as far as to call them from Paris when I have an emergency...And they call back!
Just be nice with those first meals...I have learned to love chicken rice soup and anything warm and liquid that goes down smooth and comes out easy...
I am a great lover of fruits and veggies but have learned that it is better to wait until I am fully healed before I go chomping on pineapples or munching on grapefuits...forget those brusselsprouts too...not the best choice unless you are a masochist!
Jeff...POUTINE? Post op? And I thought that lasagna was a bad idea!
For my second pouch & total collectomy 1st meal I had 1 chicken wing. Cost my BF at the time over 100$...he double parked in a fire zone and sped there and back (I was craving Swiss Challet!)...3 tickets and I only ate 1 wing!
Tana, I am an ex-Toronto Girl who lives in Paris now (or close to it)...but I still come back every year.
Someone please eat a raisinbran muffin for me Please...I miss them so much.
Sharon