Very frustrated!!!

I was banded a week ago, as most of you know, and I've had a lot of pain in my port site. I wasn't sure if it was normal pain or excessive pain. I was almost bed-ridden this weekend with the pain. Anyways.... I started questioning things on Thursday so I contacted my surgeon's office. Secretary put me on hold and tried to reach the nurse practictioner. After being on hold I was told that the NP was busy with patients, but she would get back to me by the end of the day or early on Friday morning. Friday came around and I didn't hear anything. I tried calling the office but the message kept telling me that they were all in a staff meeting and would resume taking calls in an hour. That went on for 3 hours! Needless to say my questions weren't answered. I called the NP's direct phone extension today and found out that she is out of the office today and she was out on Friday as well. So much for getting to me on Friday, right? Anyways, I called the surgeon's office again and my surgeon was having clinic day. Messages were left for another nurse. The secretary of another surgeon called me back and told me that the nurse would get to me by this afternoon. Still no response by 3:30pm so I called AGAIN. She paged the nurse again, and he did not return my page.

I am SOOOOO frustrated! For crying out loud I am just out of surgery, and I am feeling a little bit scared of the pain I was experiencing! I kept hearing from people to go to ER if I felt pain was intolerable but I didn't feel like my issue was an ER issue. Not to mention I don't have a 100.00 to put out for an ER copay!

I have my follow up on Monday w/my surgeon. YOu better believe she will be hearing about how I was neglected by the staff. Her secretary seems to have half a brain and a stick shoved up her you know what and I don't feel like my concerns had been taken seriously by the medical office staff.

Thanks for letting me vent. In other news I think this is normal pain....but let me tell you. Port pain SUCKS!

:)

i'm so sorry you are having such a hard time with them. i've noticed the last couple months that they aren't as attentive as they should be. dr. steele is awesome but she can't keep a tab on these people. i know the np sucks there. i saw her a month or so ago and she was useless. i would keep calling every hour on the hour til you get what you need from them. it may not be the best way to go but they need to address your pain. i would even just show up if they don't do something. i hope you start to feel better soon! keep us updated.

Dr. Steele is great. She is an awesome surgeon and she does care for her patients. Its too bad she can't be cloned to work her office as well!

Thankfully I feel better today. I'm definitely going to be giving Dr. Steele and earful when I see her on Monday!

Thanks!

Wow, Melissa!!  I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this.  I can well imagine the earful they'll be getting from you!!  And I don't blame you a bit.

Hang in there and keep us posted!

Hugs,

Tia

Ha! They will definitely get an earful on Monday!

Today I feel alot better. Thanks Tia!

Mwlissa

Sorry you are going throught that. Hopefully a lap bander will read this and be able to give you some insight. I'm sure some of it is normal but if you cant stand the pain then you should just show up at our surgeons office demanding they take care of you after your phone calls being neglected.

Keep us posted

Thankfully I have a lapband friend who is helping me out a bit. I wish some of the money I put out to Dr. Steele's team could go to her!!!

Thankfully my pain is a lot more tolerable today. Its a good thing because I have to sit in class tonight for 4 hours!

Gosh Melissa I'm really sorry that you are having to deal with that!!!  Hope things get better for you.

T

take a breath , i know its aggraviting as hell i would as well let them know who they are dealing with its us that choose them not them that choose us , remind that snotty little nurse that you  are partially responsable for her pay check and the bedside manners must improve , your not just a dam number but humane and expect to be treated like one, its no excuse for the neglect in thier office to just put you off till someone gets yelled at not good for thier pratice or good for your health, so go get them girlfriend. and hope you get the response you deserve

Is Pat Jordan the NP for Dr. Steele too?  I know she doesn't work on Mon or Fri at Bayview.  Regardless, I blame the office staff for not staying on top of this and making SURE that you were taken care of PROPERLY.  Do you want me to go with you on Monday?  I can hold them down while you slap the snot out of them!!!! 

Yep, I think you have normal port pain, it's a beyotch for about two weeks tops.  If there is an incision you DON'T want to pick...it's the port.  So I know it's driving you nuts, but don't touch that one!  And keep the O'Man off the tummy.  So, what day do you want some chicken salad?  I've got stuff going on during the day Wed and Thurs, but if you want I could make the chicken salad and bring it over for you.  Just give me a heads up so I can get the chicken to boil.