Help problem with Dr.

Does anyone fell like our weightloss DR's. are taking on to much and not giving there patients the attention they deserve. A few months ago I called my Dr. 's office to get my labs results which  was the first time I had them done since my surgery in 2006. It took me almost a week to get the results and when I did I made my general Dr. call. That was the first experence. Recently I just had a 4 inch hernia repair OMG it hurts soooo bad. I am almost 3 weeks out from surgery and out of pain pills. I called the Dr.'s Office yesterday to let them know I am still in pain and I do have an appt. Thursday but was wondering if he could fax over a RX for me. I called the office twice and no call back, so I gave up. What do I do or say with out sounding like a B*&%$, anyone else having this problem. I don't want him to hate me if I tell him how I really feel because I know he is a great Dr., but his office hours are Monday afternoon and thursday. and the rest of the  days he is in surgery. So there is no time to call anyone back.

Hi Kristen,

First, I'm sorry that you're in pain and not getting the attention you need to get. I am also a patient of Dr Pohls and I have never felt that Dr Pohl has been less than attentive but I have felt that way with his office staff. I know it is an extremely busy office and they have a lot of patients to deal with not only of Dr Pohls, but also Dr Giovanni, Dr Lentricia and another dr (name slips my mind now) and I'm sure that can get overwhelming but thats not an excuse. I doubt that Dr Pohl would be putting you off and have a feeling it comes down to him not getting your message promptly. I've always gotten call backs from him quickly any time I've called with a problem, but have had nightmares getting call backs from the office staff.
I would call back and talk to Elaine (the office manager) and tell her your situation and your problems getting an answer back. Explain that you're in pain and have an appt tomorrow and you would appreciate dr Pohl calling you back as soon as possible. I would emphasize that you've called twice and not gotten a response as well.

Good luck and make sure you let us know how you make out.

I also have the same Doctor.  I have never had a problem with him but is staff that is another story. I would do everything Angela told you to do.  I do know that they can not fax you more pain scrips.  You have to pick that up at there office or they have to call it in to the Pharm. guy. Now if it is strong stuff then even  most Pharm. guy will not take unless they get the scripped. 

Lisa

Hi Kristen,

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

I have found that Dr. P is very easy to talk to. He really, truly, cares about each and every one of us. If I were in your situation, I would talk to him during the appt tomorrow. Especially if you are having a hard time with the staff.

As a former office manager for a surgical office, even if we were very busy, there was no excuse for what you are going through.

There are other physicians in his office. Perhaps one of them can help with your refill? After all, it's only for one more day until you have your appt.

I encourage you to speak with Dr. P. Meanwhile, call your general physician to see if you can get a pain med from him/her.

Please let us know how you do. I hope you're feeling better soon!

Jules

I'm so sorry you are in so much pain!
I too am a patient of Dr.P's and I have never had a problem with the office staff, though i also have noticed that some times of the day you get a better response than others.

Also [this i know from working in a Dr's office], Dr's are very hesitant to hand out pain medication after a certain time frame after surgery. {because its very addicting and eventually a normal dose will stop working} even so if you are still in a bunch of pain, I would try to request an emergency visit with Dr.P or your primary care. It could be a indication of something else or maybe you are having a hard time healing.
Even so, be to the point without being a jerk, explain the situation, and tell them you are worried abou this.
Unfortantly, sometimes Dr's office hear the words "more pain medication" and thats it.

Good Luck and I hope you are feeling 100% soon.

Thanks so much for all of your feedback . I called the office this morning and they told me he received my message but he would call me back and he did. I told him my how i felt and he told me he had called in a RX for me on Monday but I never knew because the staff said he would call me and I never got a call. Someone from the staff should have called me to let me know. I guess his staff is disappointing. He is the best surgeon by far but shouldn't his staff be as good. I do feel bad now that I underestamated him.

 I do have one question that has nothing to do with my first question. Since everyone has lost there weight does anyone have bad lower back pain or should I say ache. Not while I am standing up but lying down? If I wake up at night I have a hard time getting back to bed because it aches. I just went out and bought a knee pillow and will see how that works. I usally sleep on my stomache but with my hurnia repair I can't. I thought it was because I was working out with weights and was building muscle, but I have not gone to the gym since October 19, so it isn't that. I felt better when I was fat then now.