ARRGGHH!!

I went to my surgery ed class on Thursday, April 26.  Had all of my consults scheduled by May 1.  I have had my endoscopy and abdominal ultrasound.  My pulmonary consult is this Friday followed by my psy consult on Monday, June 4.  I just received a note from the cardiology consult that my Tuesday, May 29 appt (that was scheduled 4 weeks prior) is now JULY 6!  And I just realized while typing this I will be out of town on a trip July 6!!! What is the deal?  I called the card. doc and was told "oh, he rearranged his schedule."  I said for 6 weeks?!?!?!?   Do the docs make arrangements with each other so you can only go to THEIR doctors to get consults?  I can't believe I can't get in with another heart doc before July 6.  I am thinking about changing docs to another practice. The endoscopy doc is the one who got me concerned.  I had some irriation where the stomach meets the small intestine.  I happened to show it to my primary before getting word back from the test.  It concerned him enough that he put me on Nexium to heal the area.  The endo doc said everything was okay.  Huh????? Mine is currently Southern Surgical, but Dr. McDonald also does the surgery with another practice.  Anyone had a similar experience.  I would like to get this surgery schedule before the summer is over, but with these docs "changing their schedule" it looks dim.

Dr. Chapman is also a very good doctor.  He did mine and it went very smoothly.  If you are thinking of changing, give him a look.  He and MacDonald used to practice together before MacDonald left ECU/Brody.  They are both very very experienced doctors. Take care. ~Ellen

Yeah, I forgot Dr. Chapman is still at ECU at McDonald is at Southern.  They still have McDonald at ECU.  Thanks for the heads up.  Now if I could just get someone to return my call...........

Sorry your having trouble.  I too am going through Southern Surgical.  The cardiologist they sent me too was a complete joke.  I called them and told them and they let me see my own cardiologist here in Kinston.  He was so polite and faxed everything over the same day he gave me clearance.  I wish you luck.   Stacy

That gives me some hope.  It really makes me wonder if $$ are being given back given that we have to use THEIR docs.  What kind of Cardio Dr travels around to 4 cities to see patients???  Makes me wonder his credentials.  I think I saw you were going to the Nutrition class tomorrow, true?  Me too.

You should be able to see any Dr. you like. You just have to make sure that they know what they need to do (referral) and have results forwarded to your surgeon. I saw a few of my own Dr. and it was fine. As far as the PCP putting you on med's, I don't really see a problem with that. The gastroenterologist is the specialist and if feels that your OK then I would believe him. Not trying to bash PCP because I love mine but, specialist's are just that - top knowledge in their area. Good luck and I hope you can get in sooner to see someone! I know the waiting is killer!

I have decided to change to Dr. Chapman whom I am seeing on Thursday.  I already have all of my notes and reports so far and can get my final consults done within the next couple of weeks.  I just decided that I was not comfortable with the people I had worked with at Southern Surgical.  I am a very informed patient and if I have a question, I would like it answered.  I finally got the bariatric coord. to call me back there and she was extremely rude to me.  That sealed my decision to change. I totally agree that specialists usually know what is going on, but I have had a bad feeling from day 1 with SS requiring us to see a hand picked set of doctors.  I have also worked in the clinical setting with doctors, and just because they specialize in an area doesn't make them a good doctor.  I just did not like seeing traveling doctors.  The coord. was also very rude when I asked about seeing someone else than there chosen few. Oh, well....things will work out in the end!

You have to go where you're comfortable.  I really liked Dr. Chapman myself, as well as his fellow, Dr. Barker.  They were somewhat distant the first visit, but after that I found them to be friendly and engaged.  You can't ask for a better surgeon than him, or Dr. MacDonald, but their office staff is part of the deal.  You have to know that the follow up is going to be consistent, or you need to look elsewhere.  Let us know how it goes.  If you have any questions feel free to email me, I can give you my telephone number if you want to talk. Take care. ~Ellen

Good for you to advocate for yourself! I never go back to a Dr. if I don't feel comfortable with him/her, we are paying customers. Keep us posted how things are working out for you!