Lightening Strikes Twice!!!!!

My original surgery back in March was canceled two days prior because of insurance problems. I got new insurance, went through the process of updating all my medical clearances, had my pre-op visit to Dr. Scarborough and Emory-Adventist hospital yesterday. My surgery was scheduled for 9:00 AM tomorrow morning, and at 3:00 PM I got a call from Dr. Scarborough telling me that the Hospital Administrator had canceled all bariatric surgery. I immediately called the administrator and he told me that Dr. Scarborough's contract with Cobb Medical Associates was up in 90 days so he had canceled the surgery since Dr. Scarborough wouldn't be available for patient follow-up. I informed the administrator that I had already made arrangements for follow-up with my internist, since Smyrna is a 6+ hour roundtrip for me, and that I had a local surgeon who had removed my gall bladder, so I was more than adequately covered. I asked it there was a medical reason for the cancellation, or a psychological difference with the surgeon. He finally admitted that he was canceling Dr. Scarborough's contract with Cobb Medical Associates (the doctors group), not for medical reasons, but for other reasons that didn't concern me, and that he had no one to take his place. After a lot of discussion from me about the emotional stress this was causing, as well as the financial implications involved (family members flying in, etc), he agreed to try to reschedule the surgery for tomorrow morning as it was originally intended. He called me back in thirty minutes and said it was impossible to reschedule - his decision alone, he hadn't even called Dr. Scarborough, and he refused to give me a reason. How cruel can someone be, to lead me on and then drop me flat! He said he was trying to get a surgeon at Emory to take me on. Can you believe this? I felt like an old cow that anybody would do to carve on. This administrator has no concept of the emotional bond that one needs with one's surgeon and office staff. I have been working with Dr. Scarborough and Dee and Pam for over a year. I talked with at least a dozen surgeon's offices before I decided on him. It was not a light decision, but one made with care as to his skills and aftercare. To say that I am distraught is an understatement. How can an individual be so callous and unconcerned in his treatment of a potential patient and refuse to give a reason. I think I deserve better treatment than this. Has anyone else had problems with Emory-Adventist? I knew nothing about this hospital and didn't know how to check them out. I did check out my surgeon and got nothing but glowing reports. I am commited to Dr. Scarborough, but now am deeply distrustful of the administration of Cobb Medical Associates and Emory-Adventist Hospital. I don't know where to go from here. Any advice out there? Barb in S. GA

I WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE HOSPITAL WITH THE MEDICAL REVIEW BOARD THE ADMINISTRATOR PERSONALLY JUST SO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE I KNOW THIS DOESN'T HELP YOUR SITUATION BUT IT DOES TELL HIM YOU WILL NOT TAKE THIS SITTING DOWN WHICH TYPE OF SURGERY R U GETTING IF IT IS THE DS MY SURGEON IS AWESOME HE IS IN CONYERS OFF OF 138 OR 20 I CAN GIVE U DIRECTIONS HE IS AWESOME AND KINGSLY AND DONNA AND HIS WHOLE STAFF R GREAT HE IS TAKING NEW PATIENTS AND I AM SURE HE WOULD TAKE ALL YOUR STUFF WITHOUT MAKING YOU WAIT ANY LONGER THAN NECCESARY LET ME KNOW LOVE CANDY

Thank you for your support, Candy. I have asked for the names and addresses of the hospital board members, as I expect to write each of them, as well as lodge a protest with Emory Health Systems and Adventist Health Systems. If I can get a list of the professional associations this man belongs to I intend to write them, as well. To my way of thinking, this man's actions have been totally unprofessional and not the sort of conduct one would expect from a hospital administrator. Somehow, his offer to re-imbuse all my expenses, as well as hook me up with an Emory surgeon smacks of a personal vindetta against my current surgeon. Something doesn't smell right about this situation. Barb C.

Barbara, I am so sorry that you have had such a rough time of it. I know how high the emotions run with fighting for this surgery and holding your breath waiting to be approved, get a date, etc, etc. That being said, please try to take a step back and look at this rationally, I'm sure that the administrator didn't mean to lead you on or purposely disappoint you. I'm sure he really felt bad and wanted to reschedule you. There has to be good reason for them canceling the Surgeon's contract; a reason that you or any other patients aren't privy to. This guy, no matter how disappointing he was, could very well have saved your life. If this surgery is meant to be, it will happen. I know this is so easy for me to say, sitting here 13 mths post-op, but I honestly believe that all things happen for a reason. I believe there are no accidents. I wish you well. Hugs, Tonya

PS- DO you plan to contact Dr Scarbourgh to find out what he has to say about this?

Bless his heart, Dr. Scarborough called me himself as soon as the surgery was canceled. He was just as dumbfounded as I was. He told me he had voiced his displeasure with a few things in the hospital that hadn't been handled properly, but certainly wasn't expecting me to have to pay for his outspoken behavior. We have spoken three times by phone, today,and he has been very honest with me, even reading part of the letter the administrator gave him at 1:00 PM this afternoon. Although he didn't say so, my husband and I feel he is being pressured to compromise his integrity, and admire him for not budging, but standing up for his patients. Dr. Scarborough has been very careful not to say anything derogatory about the hospital administrator because he has to continue to work with him, which I totally understand. I'm sticking with my surgeon, however. Barb C.

Oh gosh, I misunderstood the original post. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I hope there is resolution in all of this soon. Big Hugs to you! Tonya

Oh gosh, I misunderstood the original post. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I hope there is resolution in all of this soon. Big Hugs to you! Tonya

Thanks, Tonya, the support on the board tonight is all that is keeping me sane. I want to cry, but no tears will come. I want to throw up the knot in my stomach, but the magnesium citrate has made sure there is nothing to throw up. Maybe if I were a drinker or drugger I could get some relief, but I don't even have a candy bar in the house! I think I'll go weigh myself, as surely all this has melted a few pounds. This is known as sick humor. I read Dee Dee's post, so I guess I'm not the only one going through a hard time. Hope there's some relief down the road. Barb C.

Thank you, Tonya, for your interest and understanding of the devastation I feel. This administrator stressed to me that his only reason for canceling was concern for patient after-care many months down the road and in no way reflected on the surgeon, himself. He admitted that he had no clinical background, and seemed not to know what meticulous testing and clearances were involved. The impression I got was he was trying to get a surgeon at Emory to do the surgery tomorrow, and was not able to swing it. Anyone familiar with this surgery knows you just don't switch surgeons and hospitals overnight and allow some stranger to make life-altering changes in your body. The man seemed to think it was like changing surgeons for an appendectomy - any old surgeon would do -so I doubt he has saved my life since he didn't cancel other types of surgery. I know for a fact that my surgeon has never lost a patient and has had only two with problems - both of which were non-compliant - as good a record as any bariatric surgeon out there. Barb C.