What to do if you don't like your surgeon?

August 12, 2003

Seeing a recent post by another member of the list brought up a question I have

had. Has anyone else had the experience of deciding post op that you don't

like your surgeon? I had been avoiding my follow-ups and just went back two

weeks ago. I suddenly remembered one reason why I didn't want to go back to

him.

I feel as if I am stuck. I don't even want to go to the support group at the

hospital because the truth is I can't stand him. I have been swallowing my

feelings for the last two years and trying to ignore them.

It looks like someone else will be doing my hernia repair and boy am I grateful.

Soooooooooo what do I do now? Do I just forget about follow ups? Do I turn it

over to my PCP whom I happen to like or do I try to find another surgeon?

One of my post-op complications was that my incision broke open ... I knew it

was happening and everyone in the hospital and him too ignored me when I saw the

spot. In his office he did something and squeezed the incision and turned away

and I looked down and I was split wide open ... I was terrified. AND the thing

that really got to me... he never washed his hands, nor did he wear gloves when

he touched that open incision. Not once have I seen him wash his hands on an

office visit. He would weigh me and after touching the scales touch me, write in

the files, etc. He may have washed his hands after I stepped out of the exam

room but I never saw him do it. And I did see him call in the next patient.

GROSS.

I have hesitated to say anything before because I didn't want to be bad-mouthing

him or make anyone anticipating surgery with him get discouraged.

Maybe he was good for other patients but I don't like him and as a previous

poster said ... I want to fire him!

B. from NJ who is very angry right now

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