Venting about MySurgeon's Office!!!

I work in a surgeons office and you are correct that the doctors usually do not have control over the office staff. The office manager is a good place to start, but if you do not feel that your concerns are being addressed I would ask to go above them with your complaints. Patients have to be their own advocates when it comes to your health and well being. I hope things get better for you! Best wishes!

One thing to keep in mind when you're advancing your diet, make sure to try new things one at a time. That way you know what is not agreeing with your sleeve if trouble should arise.

At nine weeks there is no reason not to progress your diet. There is plenty of info out there on the next step. By 9 weeks I was already past all the stages and just starting salads. That being said not everything will agree with you... so small bites, keep things moist and chew, chew, chew....

Be careful about what you eat. I was told by my nutritionist to only try one new food a day so you know how each new food effects your stomach. I was on solid foods at week 8 and have had only one really bad reaction (pizza - too much and too fast). Making sure you chew 20-30 times to get the food really broken down is essential to your stomach accepting the food. Sorry you have to go through all of that. I live in Cincinnati and have a great office staff and surgeon. My sister lives in CA and has had nothing but troubles with all of her doctors and office staff being really apathetic.

Ok - you can handle this - it will take more on your part, but I would change doctors at this point only if you are not happy with your medical care. You now know that you need to call the morning of each appointment to make sure it will happen. You can do that - yeah, a pain but you know they probably need a new office manager. (If the office manager is the surgeon's spouse, start looking for a new doctor because that will prob not change.)

At this point, you really need to get our questions answered about your next phase of eating. See if you can make a 1:1 meeting - which I did for the first 3 months (1 per months) to go over specific issues. (Yeah, I had a copay each time)

Or a phone consult for the info you need - it seems that you weren't going to have a physical exam, so you might be able to go over it on the phone.

Also, check all the paperwork you got from the office - there might be something there that would answer your questions - I had been given the post-op eating plan.

I am 9 months out, but a 9 weeks, I was still pretty much stilll figuring things out.

Get into the office. Beg if you need to and get instructions.

There's no reason you can't change offices now. Call a new doctor, explain the situation, and have the old office send your file to the new doctor.

Regarding the food progression: fruits and veggies will very seldom be a part of your diet. Protein first and foremost, maybe a bite or two of veggies after you're finished with your dense protein. Many folks skip fruit entirely until they're in maintenance because of the carbs.

Everyone has given you great advice

Try to get in front of the Office Manager and discuss your concerns and let them know how you have been treated. If you can't get a one on one with the office manager or they come across just as bad. Make an appointment to see the surgeon. Get in front of him/her. Make a list of "everything" that has gone wrong and or done to you. Seeing it on paper is powerful.

Let him/her know that you are going to change surgeons due to the actions of his office. Sometimes the surgeons don't have a clue, but the office staff is just as much a part of your journey and success as the surgeon. It's a team effort and can be frustrating if one part of the team is not carrying their weight.

If this doesn't work then yes, try another surgeon. We wish you luck

Regards,

Kathy

Member Services