Attention All Chrias Members...

I would like to formally say that I have not had a bad experience with Chrias until today. Today was my first post-op appt and I was really looking forward to seeing Dr. Peters. I had no idea that I was being tricked to come in to see a physician's assistant. First of all, is this even ok? Honestly, I feel that seeing the PA a few visits after your surgery would be ok, but send me to one regardless of complications or not right after my surgery? I'm not questioning his schooling, or competancy, but the pure fact that when I walked in there, I was expecting to see the doctor, not the assistant. The reason I was told I saw him instead was because my doctor was on vacation. I would have been fine seeing another dr even. Another concern of mine was that I felt this person, who I didn't know from someone on the street, wasn't listening to me. I know that Dr. Peters has an awesome bedside manner, but this person was trying to joke with me, couldn't remember my surgical date, and just left suddenly at the end of the visit. My friend and I sat there for five minutes before realizing he wasn't coming back.

Has anyone else had this experience? Or if anyone has been to another office, do you regularly see a PA for a visit instead?

I made my 2 week follow up with Dr. Irgau. I don't care if I have to drive to Concord Plaza on a Friday afternoon. At least I know he will listen, and has good bedside manner.

The same happened to me!  I thought I was having Dr. Wynn and some guy walked in that I didn't even know.  I questioned it after the appointment and was told by the scheduler that I would be seeing everyone in the practice now.  I go back again in two weeks and I'll be seeing Dr. Irigau then.  Another big complaint?  I sat in the exam room for an HOUR just to see that guy and when I asked him if my rapid weight loss was ok or normal, he asked me . . . "Do you want me to take it back"?  When I asked him how long was normal to experience port pain and he said two years.  I thought he was joking but then he acted like he wasn't.  I STILL don't know the answer. 

Exactly. You can't joke with people that you don't even know. Don't act cute right out of the gate. He kept joking with me that I was loosing 1 pound a day, even though it had been 10 days and I'd lost 15 lbs since my visit. I just looked at him like he didn't make any sense, because 1 lb a day in 10 days is not 15 lbs lol

When I schedule my appointments I express that I want to see one of the surgeons and not one of the PAs.

Not a CHRIAS person here, but when I go for follow-ups, I wind up seeing a PA, a research fellow, and my surgeon.  Granted, I'm nearly 4 years out and my surgeon's practice is a huge research practice in NYC, but I've always seen at least two, if not three medical professionals per visit.

I think Sheeyt has the right idea - make your request up front, and you might get what you're after.  Good luck!

Edward is a nice guy but I just feel like I should be seeing my surgeon.Although since I've had a few complications I normally see Dr. Irgau or Peters without a problem.

But tell them at the time of scheduling that you want to see the surgeon and not the PAs.

I'm surprised that you weren't told ahead of time that you would be meeting with a PA on your first post op visit because I was.  I thought it was kind of strange but because they are an accredited, highly rated facility I felt I could trust them. However, when I walked into the room, there was Dr. Irgau.  :-)  I should say that my original post op appointment was to be at the APEX building, but when I found out there was an office in North Wilmington, I decided to go there instead.  So I don't know if that's the reason for Dr. Irgau being there instead of a PA.

Yes Dr. Irgau is the only one that goes to the N. Wilmington office.

Has that recently changed? I've had appointments with Dr. Peters there a few times.

Ah maybe I'm wrong, I thought one of the girls said only Irgau goes there, maybe I misunderstood.