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

[Guest guest]

B from NJ said : " 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. "

,

Will just state that I am not overly fond of the invididual who did my

surgery either! Arrogance and an ability to use the appendages on the sides

of the head seem to afflict this particular profession in my personal

experience. I for one will not be treated poorly or as an ignorant fat man

by anyone, regardless of profession.

I was fortunate enough to have a great PCP going into surgery. I had my

surgery some distance from where I live because at the time there was no one

in my particular area who did it. I was also fortunate enough to have been

on this list and one or two others as part of my research prior to having

surgery so I knew that I needed and wanted labs more often and in far more

detail than this Dr normally did and I knew that I was not going to just

stick with the Tums and Flintstones that he recommeded at the time. All of

you wonderful folks who so freely shared experiences taught me better than

that.

I did go to his support group meetings for the year that I had committed

myself to because I had made the committment prior to surgery. I also went

immediately to my PCP and presented him with my lab list and we agreed that

during the first year I would have labs every three months and then every

six months thereafter. We are still on that schedule. I also kept a copy

of my own labs and established a simple Excel spreadsheet for them and that

has paid major dividends for me as these 39 months have passed since I had

surgery.

I wanted some questions answered by my surgeon at about 14 months post about

what he had performed, and what some Upper GI results had shown (the surgeon

did not know I already knew what the radiologist had said about pouch and

stoma size). I found him to be less than forthcoming and quick to say that

I had just eaten calorie dense foods and that my pouch was just fine and he

avoided any questions about stoma size whatsoever. He did offer to do a

scope for me. I gracefully declined and that is the last time I have been

in this person's presence and unless I am unconscious and cannot refuse it

is the last time I will ever be. The PCP and I have worked together as a

team and it has been great. I also have another Dr I see for arthritis and

he is also so very easy to work with. I coordinate lab work with both and

have it with me every time I see either one.

All this effort paid off also because I had to have Open Heart Bypass in

another city when I was 28 months or so post and it sure was handy to have

the rolling medical file which explains to other Dr's and professionals

" exactly " (I got a copy of the surgical notes) what I had done and all the

labs and trends since. It gets to be a butt pain explaining that everytime,

especially when trying to explain malabsorption and med prescribing. I have

been blessed with some wonderful profesionals since my WLS but I have to say

that I do not count the original in that number.

-

[Guest guest]

,

My surgeon was far away from me so it was easy for me to go to

another wls doc. However, even if he'd been in the same city or

close by, I still wouldn't have gone back to him. He was

condescending and rude to me and I refuse to pay one thin dime

to sit in someone's office and be called an abject failure when I

am not. As it turned out I wasn't the only patient who defected or

felt mistreated by him. I don't regret my decision one bit. It's my

body and my health.

M

> 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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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My surgeon retired right around my 1 year anniversary. I have found a

wonderful primary in my area who is very interested in working with WLS

patients. He does whatever labs I want and is eager to learn. Called me

himself yesterday to talk about my low iron and what I am taking and what I

should be taking...

I think you can find someone else out there to work with you.

Marjie

12/9/99

-130ish

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