HAS ANYONE USED, DOCTORS OFFICE IN "VOORHEES" TROUBLE WITH THE NURSE!

Hello, jersey friends. I've been working with an office out of voorhees. The first visit everyone is very nice, and cheerful. Than their was "pushing and pulling" between the doctors office and the "gi doctor" that ive been seeing for 8 years. Now when this happens, I thought that would just be between the doctors. But the group's nurse that I'm working with for lapband, calls me on the telephone "and tells me to get on the horn, and call the gi's office, and just tell him, that "not doing the test is not an option". I was "a little put out" by that. Than when I finished everything, jumping through hoops and what not, and I was approved by ins. I made the call to their office to say where do we go from here. She started screaming into the phone saying that \"I do not have a date yet." I said \"I know that". But I'm trying to get done over winter holiday. Than she says " I never discussed that with you. I said "no, we did not, I discussed it with the doctor, I'm sorry he did not share it with you. Well, long story short. The pulm/doc called me to tell me my sleep study came in with a #13 which is a mild reading. But said it would be up to the surgeon as to weather he wanted me to have the machine before surgery. He also said for me to call and leave a message for the surgeon, that he was faxing the results, and wanted a telephone consult with him. The pulm/dr. Said I know you are trying to get within a certain date for work. So after I talk to him we will try and make things happen more rapid for you. However, lets just say, that the surgeon, got the results but not the request for a telephone consult. The nurse in the surgeon's office called me and said "bridget, Dr. And I discussed your results, and we both agree, that you should get the machine first. So you won't be having your surgery during the holiday break. So I told her that I will discuss it with the surgeon on my visit fri. Morn. She said "suit yourself". Than I said I would. I than hung up the phone. Has anyone had a problem with any nurse from this office? Or had trouble and than it got fixed? Thank you for your time on this one. Anyone know of another surgeon, in this area? Thanks again, "nobetterwomen" bridget k.

Bridget~ I think most offices have some one with an attitude, any given day/hour. I think with the WLS becoming so prevalent, these nurses (and entire staff for that matter) are probably very overworked and stretched to their max. Having said that, she sounds a bit over the top for sure. Is there another nurse you can speak with there? I would meet with the doctor immediately and let him know what's going on, maybe he can change the nurse that is coordinating your care? I don't know if that's how your doctors office works, but with my surgeons office I was given one particular nurse to coordinate my surgery planning. She was overworked and stressed out, and would get "short" at time, forget things I had told her, and not returned phone calls...... but I stuck it out because in the end, I WAS GETTING MY SURGERY that I had been wanting for more than 5 years! As a wise woman once told me, because I postponed my surgery for one month because of a cruise that my family had planned for 6 months, it was a torturing decision believe me...... to postpone something that you want so bad..............I did postpone surgery, and my friend (thanks again Malinda) told me "it's not the date you get the surgery, it's the results of the surgery that matter". She was so right! YOU ARE APPROVED, so that is the main thing here. That's just my humble opinion, I would meet with the doctor about the nurses attitude, and just try to grin and bear it all, you will get what you want in the end, you might just have to do it a little later than you wanted. It will all work out in the end. Try to breathe deeply and "turn the other cheek" with this overworked, underpaid nurse, who is probably going through personal problems of her own. Sincerely, Michelle Brennan Brick NJ

Hi! Michelle how are you doing? Thank you for taking the time to write all that you wrote. All good things to consider. Yes, I'm very happy to be approved, and I know other people have waited longer than 4-5 months. But I only have this small time off in the middle of my 10 month work year, plus I have to have my hand operated on in the summer, and because I drive for a living, it will take the whole summer with p/t and what not. Plus you have to have these visits back and fourth, so it is her voice, and how she speaks. But I will consider all your points, and I will talk to the doctor tomorrow. I also will ask, if someone else can take care of me besides her. It is not good for me to hear her anymore, I want this to be a total "good exp"..............If I don't make out well tomorrow, I will consider changing offices. Thanks again, my friend bridget

YUP i know a wonderful surgeon in this area -- Dr. Matt Kirkland out of Philly 215-829-3697 -- he uses a team approach -- you may have to do some tests over -- but it might be worth it -- if you want to call me you can -- just send me a msg for my number -- this surgeon was in my hospital room on thanksgiving morning doing his rotation -- tell me another dr who would be doing rotations on thanksgiving morning i thought that alone was impressive take care roberta

Hi! Roberta, hope you are doing well. Yes, hold on to that number. Does the doctor do "lapband".? I know you had "gas /by". Also he sounds like a very nice man. Did you have to go to phila to have your surgery? I have to go to support group tonight, but hold the number, and I will see how I do tomorrow. Thanks again, and I hope you are doing well!! Bridget k.

Hey Bridget--Sounds like things have gone downhill since we last spoke. I am SO SORRY to hear that! I feel your pain (if you recall our discussion). Maybe you can talk to Irene/Chris about it too...maybe they have some insight. Also...sorry I missed support group. Hubby had a work 'thing' he had to go to. I will definitely be there on the 28th though. Hopefully you will too...hang in there...feel free to chat via the message side too. Dawn

Hi! Dawn, I'm much better now. I had my visit with Dr. Goldstein fri. Morn. I did speak to chris. She was wonderful, and I do think she called him. Anyway, I went into the office, and the girls let me know their would be a different nurse showing me in. Dr. Goldstein came in and the first thing he did was show me the report from the pulm/doctor. And the plum/dr. Was suggesting other things that I could do instead of getting the machine, but they all would be alot more trouble. So he wanted me to know that if the plum/dr. Is suggesting these things, than he wants me to have the machine, which is the easy thing to do. I told him, that I understand that, and if anything I want is to be safe. I thank you for being as safe as you can be. Than I told him, of things that were said to me, and about other doctors that I go to, that should have not been said. He raised his eyebrows, and said he would address it. Than we both agreed that another person would show me in when I come. I won't get my date during winter vacation, but soon after, because we talked about what I do for a living, and he said I would not need more than 9 days. As long as I'm not lifting anything. So I'm looking for a long weekend, to put with 5 or 6 sick days and I should be set. But we are also waiting for one more test to come back. Than I could book. I have already signed the papers. So I'm all good now. Now, how about you. Did you have anymore testing done? Also I went to the support last Thursday, it was very good. Some people were there that were done in oct. And just out for the first time. It was good. Now next week, will be the party so it starts at 7:00pm is that the one you will be at. I don't know what I will bring but it will be something. Mabe just a fruitbowl talk soon, my friend bridget k.

Bridget, I am not familiar with your doctor, but as a point of reference my surgeon's office was always borderline "fresh" for the lack of a better word. I didn't care as I just wanted the surgery. Things did get better, but up until the day before my surgery I was not scheduled in the hospital for a pre-op procedure. I had my surgery at Pennsylvania, and I swear by the care and professionalism of that hospital. I would nominate my surgeon for sainthood. This is a very tense time for you, I am sure. All I can say is that if you don't feel comfortable with the people who are going to cut into you, run, not walk away right now. There are just too many surgeons out there who are doing bariatric surgery. With being so close to Philadelphia you have a wide variety of wonderful teaching hospitals. Best of luck to you. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I had RYN open surgery in June 2006. I started my journey in October 2005. Since June I have lost 130 lbs. with the exception of really bad knees I feel great. Jeanne

Hi! Jeanne, I agree with you. However, I had a visit with the doctor on fri. And I'm o.K. Now. I went over what was bugin me, and all questions were answered, and I will see a different nurse from now on. I always had confidence in the doctor. But I thank you for your post. I also wish you well. It sounds like you are doing very well. Did you have "gastric bypass" ??? I would love to have you on my friend list, and I would also like to be on yours. Thanks again "nobetterwomen" bridget t.

Bridget, I am so happy you got things worked out. It is so important to have confidence in the surgeocal team, especially the doctor. I would love for you to be on my friend list and would also like to be on yours. I had gastric bypass at Pennsylvania Hosptial. I had a different doctor than Roberta and Ross, but the bariatric unit there is fabulous. Keep in touch and if you have any questions feel free to contact me. It helps to have answers from people who have gone through the experience. Jeanne