Paradise Cottage, An Aftercare Surgery Retreat

Initially I was hesitant to stay at an aftercare surgery retreat but was extremely thankful that I did. The amazing care I received from Norma, Asha and two other nurses was outstanding. The care I received around the clock in a very comfortable home was phenomenal. During my stay there, my blood pressure increased and the nurses did everything possible to bring it down. They were extremely patient and kind and worked around the clock to assist me. Without any hesitation, I would highly recommend Paradise Cottage as an aftercare surgery retreat.

I can not recommend this place more highly if you need aftercare from surgery. Norma and her nurses (Verona and Asha) were just excellent. You get 24 hour care in a very welcoming home in Northridge which was minutes from my surgeon.
I think there is one not-​so-​nice review here and all I can say is please don’t let that discourage you. I actually talked to my surgeon’s office as I was initially concerned, and they said «well, it’s not a spa.» And it shouldn’t be! Why would anyone want to go to a spa directly after surgery!!! This is like a Medical Bed & Breakfast — you’re in a very cute room w a good TV and even flowers. And someone telling you when to take your meds and bringing you soup at night, and a really good breakfast the following day. I had an IV and a catheter — and didn’t have to worry about a thing. And everyone just make me feel so comfortable. I slept right through the night. In fact, thinking about it, four weeks post surgery, I might just go back — and I’m totally healthy now:).
Norma has a great personality as do all her nurses — they’re just really, really lovely and warm people. So please don’t hesitate, if you have outpatient surgery, do yourself a favor and come here afterwards.

Everything from start to finish went wrong. From picking up my fiancé after her procedure to taking her back to the surgeon for her first post-​operative visit and everything in — between was horrendous.
From doling out medication myself, applying eye ointment, and having the same nurse for 22 hours straight — wtf?!?
Do yourself a favor and hire a reputable, insured, licensed professional private nurse.
Not to mention I was overcharged and it took me 2 months to get part of my money back.

Do yourselves a favor and get a licensed, reputable, private nurse close to your surgeon if you want safe and cost– effective post-​operative care after surgery. Based on the reviews, I think the reason people must like it here is because they have no medical knowledge to draw from and are going strictly by personalities, which has zero to do with nursing competency or safety. As an RN, I will tell you I have never seen such incompetence.
From the beginning I had reservations about Paradise cottage, and they all ultimately proved to be valid after my experience here. I gave this place the benefit of the doubt. I spoke to Norma about a bad review I had read: she was rude and defensive about it. However, I still acquiesced and used their services against my better judgement because it was the only place close to my surgeon and I was strongly encouraged to do so.
From the start I had to do all of the calling to make sure the care was arranged as Shareen never followed up.
Then I was told last minute there was construction at Paradise cottage, so I had to go to a hotel. They said they would cover the hotel fee.
Norma picked me up after my surgery and while driving, said she «forgot» her purse and drivers license so she could not check me in at the hotel (seriously?)
Subsequently I was left unattended in her car in the hotel lobby driveway with the car running —fresh out of a five-​hour surgery — wearing a hospital gown, unable to see after a blepheroplasty, my head wrapped postoperatively from a facelift (with three Jackson-​Pratt drains exiting my incisions) my IV and Foley catheter still inserted, while Norma was inside the hotel begging at the front desk to let us check into a room.
She finally returned without a room key and made me wait in the lobby for her son to bring her purse. I had been assured check –in would be «quick and discreet «but it was far from discreet or quick. People whizzed by my wheelchair in a blur and I hoped that no one snagged my IV line walking by, or that my foley not get positioned too high above my waist, for fear of a potential bladder infection.
Norma was on the phone sounding anxious and was upset my IV pole was too short, saying that I needed a new one. No one was prepared for my stay at the hotel. My nurse had not even shown up yet and there was a big issue about extra charges for RN care. I was being charged extra (in excess of 1,400 dollars a day) for RN care.
If I’d had competent RNs for two shifts that might be fine; however the second shift nurse flaked out and I had only one nurse all day and all night who had no sleep and she was literally using a magnifying glass to read my prescription bottles as she could not see well. Was she legally blind ??
She needed to be reminded by me at times how to administer medications (for example; she tried to give me sublingual nausea meds PO (Zofran), and I had to tell her they were not to be swallowed; she did not know to re-​check my blood pressure 30 minutes after administering Clonidine, a blood– pressure medication, which is a basic nursing practice any RN should know).
She asked my fiancé to give both my eye drops and eye ointment as she could not see well enough to administer them herself.
I had to demand that she call the surgeon back to correct information when she had misinformed him and made assumptions about my medical history.
Her documentation on the medication reconciliation sheet was incorrect — she documented giving medications at times/​dates she never gave them to me (some were actually documented in advance the next day when I was no longer in her care).
She failed to give me my regular medications that were to be given to me post –operatively per the surgery staff and discussion with anesthesia in my pre op consultation. She was not even giving me many of the post-​op meds ordered. Her medication administration was haphazard, at best.
She did not bring a blood pressure cuff with her to care for a facelift patient, which was critical; Norma had to go find her one.
I was not to eat solid foods and she was trying to feed me solid foods.
Finally, she had no car the next morning to take me back to the surgeon (as we paid for) and she told us to pay the bill on our way out of the hotel.
Nearly two months later, and after multiple hours wasted on the phone, my fiancé finally got reimbursed for the hotel bill (they kept trying to avoid repayment); however we were still grossly over-​billed for hours the nurse was not with me (in addition for the time I sat in the car and hotel lobby) and received overall sloppy, incompetent nursing care. The only value of being there was the close proximity to my surgeon. I am wondering how they are still licensed. It was like the Keystone cops of nursing.

A big thank you to the owner and staff at Paradise Cottage. The care I received following a cosmetic procedure was top notch. Caring, supportive and an extremely attentive staff made my overnight stay restful and comfortable.

I stayed here after my surgery and I cannot say enough good things about Norma and her staff. They treated me with the best care and was lucky enough to get Myrna one of the star nurses and she treated me with the most respect And kindness and knew exactly what she was doing. Norma and her nurses were excellent and beautifully graceful. I would recommend this place to anyone And do yourself a favor and ask for Myrna/​Norma

After a recent surgery, I spent the first night at Paradise Cottage: an in-​home recovery facility in Northridge, recommended by my surgeon. The nursing facility is owned & managed by Norma Siley, RN, MS, MPH, a highly qualified, skilled, caring, compassionate, supportive and professional individual. From the moment Norma picked me up at the medical facility, I sensed that I was in more than capable hands. Norma and her nursing staff were extremely attentive and kind, always trying to do their utmost to care for me, keep me comfortable and put a smile on my face. Four days after returning home, I had an unfortunate setback in my recovery and had to receive additional medical care. My surgeon called Norma, and without hesitation she came to get me and cared for me almost the entire weekend, despite having made other plans. I cannot speak highly enough about the care and attention given to me by Norma and her skilled and caring nursing staff, especially Marsha, Myrna and Asha, whose kindness and constant attention made me feel very safe and in competent hands in a difficult situation. There was always a fresh flower from Norma’s beautiful garden on my food tray, and the general ambience was very nice. Overall, I would rate my Paradise Cottage experience as excellent.

After undergoing a tummy tuck procedure, I was sent to paradise cottage for a night of after care. I could not possibly say enough positive things about Nurse Norma and her incredible staff. These women were so nurturing, so beautiful, so knowledgeable, and they made me feel so special as they were caring for me. They provide their patients with dignity and treated me like I was their sister or daughter. I’m in awe of their facility and their kindness. Taken aback by their class and grace. Thank you Norma and team for being first class and second to no one. You will all continue to be in my thoughts, prayers, and of course referrals!

I recently stayed here following a surgical procedure and I cannot say enough positive things about the staff and the facility. After any surgical/​medical procedure you are in a vulnerable position that requires comfort and the feeling of security. From the moment I was picked up from the surgical suite to the end of my stay I was treated with deep care, concern for my comfort and I knew I was in capable hands. I felt like I was being cared for by my own sister, best friend or mom. Every attendant/​nurse was sweet and nurturing. This is exactly what I needed after my treatment and recommend this place to anyone seeking great care after a strenuous medical/​surgical procedure. Thank you so very much –opal rockport

Paradise Cottage was a delight. I remember Norma and her staff from her previous house. She was very attentive as were the medical assistants. They waited on me and made sure that I was comfortable and safe. It was clean, the food was good and everyone was extremely professional. Would recommend this after care recovery to anyone.

On 6-​18-​2012, my wife (Veronica) had tummy tuck surgery center where Dr. George staff arranged the first nite after care for her. A woman named Norma picked up my wife, as I followed them, and drove to Paradise Cottage in Northridge. Norma was amazing and her caring for Veronica had a tremendous effect on Veronica. Now Norma is a christian, which made it all the better! I can not say enough great things about the care Veronica received there. Norma is top in her field (as she is the owner as well) and patient care is is just a gift with her. We are indebted to you Norma for your loving knowledge, outstanding tenderness, and peaceful demeanor. Thank you so much!
Jeff and Veronica Nettleton

I recently spent a full 24 hours at the Paradise Cottage after having had a fairly invasive surgery by Dr. Sanders. After having made my decision to have Dr. Sanders complete my procedure I was informed that he recommend (insisted) that I also go to after care at Paradise Cottage. Initially I was very comfortable with this recommendation. I decided to do some research about Paradise Cottage. The only information that I could find were two reviews on Unilocal.One of the ratings caused me great concern. I discussed the issues with my family and made the decision to follow the recommendations of my doctor.
I am SO happy that I didn’t allow someone with what can only be described as a personal vendetta to change my mind. My experience was very soothing, caring and comforting. Ms. Norma called me a few days prior to the surgery to give me last minute instructions, including informing me about visiting hours, and to inquire about any concerns that I had. On the day of the surgery she and one of her assistances picked me up and took me to her home. I was monitored and cared for by a very accomplished medical staff.
My husband was made to feel comfortable during the time he visited. He was also given verbal instructions and shown how to care for me during the next two weeks of my recovery.
My experience was extremely pleasant and I would recommend this home for any of my friends or family.