Just venting...need support

I had to have an endoscopy done on Friday...I have an ulcer--apparent side effect from surgery. It hurts to eat or drink and they prescribed two more meds. I can't even take all of my regular medications yet. The ones newly prescribed have to be taken either with or without food. One has to be taken either an hour before or two hours after eating and the other has to be taken with food. I can't get all those in nor can I get all my protein or fluids. The doctor who did the scope (who is in practice with my surgeon) asked how much I have lost and I told him form my highest weight, I have lost about  34lbs. He didn't seem like that was sufficient and made me feel like a failure.    Then...I got into it with a nurse at my surgeon's office on Friday. My surgeon told me to let him know when I felt up to returning to work and he would give me a note. Well apparently the office completed all my paperwork indicating I was to return 9/10 but no one EVER told ME that...so she calls and says "can I ask why you are requesting an extension??" I explained it to her and she said nothing in my chart confirms what I told her (basically calling me a liar) and then stated that it is their procedure that everyone returns at 4 weeks whether they are ready or not. (Technically, they would be sending me back 2 days earlier than 4 weeks as my 4 week date would have been on 9/12--so in actuality I am only asking for 2 additional days off). She proceeds to tell me that she would need to talk to my surgeon and he won't be in until Monday. I told her I need a note allowing me to return to work before I can even step foot into my office on Monday. She kept telling me that it was my fault that I did not return on 9/10, etc... I got so frustrated I told her it would have been nice for someone to let ME know that decision was made and I slammed the phone down on her. (Not nice I know but as I stated I am not able to get in all my meds and my moods are bit unstabe). She calls back and says she will send a note to my surgeon that I hung up on her while demanding more time off. WHATEVER!!!! This is totally messing up my work status and LTD claim which will effect my insurance coverage.   I have had nothing but complications since surgery. I wish I had never had it done...Why couldn't I have just lost the weight on my own????

Everything will get better.  I am sorry for your sour experience with the MMPC staff and your complications.... On another note.. i should never read this post.. I have surgery with Dr Foote on October three... and I dont want to go through what you are going through!!  Uggh.. But I have all the faith in the world with him..

again... sorry to hear of your troubles.. Keep your head held high.. It will get better... Jodi :O)

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery!! And I wanted you to know that my complications really do not have anything to with Dr. Foote himself. He has been very nice and supportive. My trouble lies directly with the office staff itself as they seem to be so busy that they "think" everyone knows what is happening and what is to be expected. I don't mean to sound crabby but the experience is still too fresh. My suggestion for you (and a reminder for myself) is to make sure you ask questions and get clarifications (and beware that you will more than likely get two different responses depending on who you ask). There are some really sincere people who work there and I am hoping to talk to them on Monday!! Let me know how your surgery goes and if I can do anything!! 

I was allowed to go back to work after a week.  They told me before the surgery that if I felt good enough, I could go and to let them know and they'd fax a note to my work.  I think there was something in the notebook that I got that talked about returning to work.  I never leave something like that to chance because I don't want to get docked or in trouble.  I hope you get this straightened out and be sure to ask lots of questions, call them if you have to get the answered, don't let it just sit.  This is a very busy office and they just don't have the time to check everyone's chart to see if/when they're ready to go back to work.   On the other hand, congratulations on the 34 pound weight loss.  I think you're doing great.  This is just the start of smaller and better things happening in your life.  Don't let one little burp change how good a decision you've made.

Thank you for your support...I guess I need to be more assertive--I never want to be one of those patients who call constantly--but I do agree that I cannot just let things sit. I also understand that the office is extremely busy (which I think contributes to the lack of information given). Hopefully, things will turn out well tomorrow...thanks again for your kind words! 

Ryntra, sometimes I think they forget that not all of us know everything the office staff does.  I was wanting to change a med and the office girl went and asked and came back and said the doctor said no.  Well, I wouldn't take that as an answer because I was in a lot of pain from arthritis and I needed something stronger.  I stood there just talking until they went and got the PA.  Once I explained what was happening, the med was changed.  The point is, don't get mad and hang up.  Hang in there and keep talking until someone actually listens.  You're just at the beginning of your journey and I can remember mine too.  I did find that if I emailed the nutritionist, I could also get answers to other questions I had.  They seem to have a better understanding and a little more patience than the office staff.  Keep on doing what you're doing and you'll be to your goal.

Congratulations on losing 34 pounds!  That IS amazing! Stick with it when you deal with the office staff, even if you have to be a pain in the rear.  They don't always know what's going on, but they think they do.  Remember, they work for you . Best regards to you, Jenn  

Thank you...I called their office today and my doctor didn't have a problem with writing the note. What does it mean when they said "by verbal order"? Anyway, I went to the office to pick it up and I got smirks from one of the office staff--now I feel "branded"...but you are right I just have to let my needs known!  Sometimes, I think the doctors want up to lose our weight faster than we do! I was pleased with my 34 pounds...that's about a pound a day. Before the surgery, I would have stuffed myself with comfort food and say "who cares?"..but this time--I didn't even cheat once! That's almost as big of an accomplishment as the weight loss itself! Thanks again for the support!