Surviving the run-around at Univeristy of Michigan

I am trying to become a surgical patient at University of Michigan.  It has been a nightmare.  They have lost my paperwork multiple times.  When you call them, it can take a week or two for them to return the call.  The only reason that I am willing to stick it out with them is that I think I finally have everything in place for me to have surgery. But I worry that my post operative care will be just as bad. What have your experiences been with U of M?

I went through U of M in March 2006.  I had a great experience and talked with them daily (via email and phone).  I do understand that they have gone through some staffing changes, so maybe that's what you are experiencing now. I'm pretty surprised and disappointed to hear this.  The surgeons are great, and so is Patti, the nutritionist.  To me, that is really what is important, but I can understand why you are so frustrated.  Maybe you could ask to speak to the director of the program? Who have you talked to so far?

The director of the program is Dr. Finks. I have not been able to speak with him. I am so frustrated that I called the patient advocate at U of M. When I called, he got them to call me. Last Friday, I had all my paperwork in, and was told to wait  for a call from the new PA  for my surgical date.  No call. I just called them and asked what is happening. Well----both Pthe PA and the administrative assistant that handles this sort of thing are on vacation the whole week. I work as a nurse, and my manager is willing to work my schedule around my appointments and my surgical times--if only I knew when they are!! Once again--extreme frustration!

 It's not unusual to have to wait a few weeks after the paperwork is submitted to get a surgery date.  The program is so busy that I understand they schedule several months out.  I would wait until next week when they get back from vacation and see what they say. The follow up care with the NUT and docs is great.  Not sure what's going on with the administrative end. 

I'm 8 months post op in the program and haven't had any problems since my surgery with them. I do know they are going through changes as Bill and Shannon (the old PA and administrative assistant) have left and they have a new PA and administrative assistant who are working through the process and trying to get acclimated with the way things have ran.   The best thing is to keep on track of getting your answers from them. Patti, the NUT is still there and does an excellent job and both Drs. Birkmeyer and Finks are great to work with. It can take some time when things are submitted to get processed, so don't let the time delays frustrate you either. It may be frustrating at first, but in the end, the results outweigh the headaches!

well, I called U of M on Monday.  I called U of M on Tuesday. Still no return phone call.  I believe that I have fulfilled everything on the list to become surgically approved.  But I don't know. I am a teacher and I have been trying to get this done yet this summer.  If I don't have it soon, I won't be able to have it this year and will have to wait until next sumer.  I am too committed to my students to miss the first few weeks of school. I simply don't know what else to do to get them to talk to me. I am starting to lose hope.