Disappearing Surgeon

Did anyone ever have a hard time getting back up with their surgeon after surgery? 

I am so frustrated.  I had an emergency last week.  He couldn't see me so he sent me to the ER.  I was diagnosed with something pretty serious and no call, nothing.  Then he had an emergency and missed my post op meeting two days after my ER visit.  Now, I can't get on his calendar until March 3rd. 

I really like this man but what am I doing wrong?  Am I justified at being frustrated? 

You are justified in being frustrated, I luckily have had no complications, but I have a friend who has and my surgeon answers his phone whenever, he also will meet you in the ER when there is an emergency.   I'm not sure if my surgeon is the norm though, so I'd wait to hear some other answers.

You are absolutely justified in being upset.  March 3rd isn't that far away...but I would not want to wait!  I have had situations (two strictures that both required emergency visits and being admitted into the hospital) and although my surgeon was not on call either of those times his associate in the practice met me at the er and my surgeon followed up via phone and visits the next morning.  You are your own advicate...be persistant!

To add to the story, I need my meds refilled because I am travleing tomorrow.  I still could not get up with my surgeon so I have made an appointment with my PCP.  It is amazing that I can always get in to my PCP and she always calls me back.  I am sure this is not going to go over well for either doctor but it is my health.

The only reason they didn't admit me last week was becuase of the appointment that I had with him.  frustrated here........

Hey Sharon, sometimes the girl at the desk can be kind of duh....Dr. Yancey has always been very good about getting back to me, did you explain to her what had happened?  Honestly, he always send me to my PCP for medications, Try calling again and explain to her what the situation is, if not call Ruth she has other ways to get ahold of him.

Thanks Jen!  Yes, Anita knows about the ER and so does he.  He called Ruth to call me to tell me to go immediately.  I am so frustrated.  I like him a lot I just think there is more to care then just what happens in the hospital.

Hi. Sorry that you are experiencing problems with your surgeons office.

But honestly, I am 10 months out this month and have not seen my surgeon for any of my follow ups, 2 wks, 4 wks, 6 wks, 3 mths, 6 mths and 9 mths. I always see one of 2 of the office's nurse practitioners. I have seen him in the office, while I have been there for follow ups, he's just not the one doing the follow ups. He is always avaiable but with routine follow ups, the nurse practitioners are fine, and if there is a problem, the surgeon himself is in the office and can come in or be consulted, and if I am needing a prescription, they are able to write on for me. They are also a heck of a lot easier to set an appointment with or to get a call back from without having to wait

If you keep feeling like your feelings are not being taken seriously, then try giving the office manager a call and explain your concerns. You are not doing nothing wrong and are completely normal in feeling what you feel. Don't let them push you aside. Keep fighting.

My surgeons office is just a two person show unfortunately.  There is no one else there besides him and the receptionist/nurse.   At first I liked this idea of a small practice because I thought the care would be intimate and personal but now I am not so sure.

Oh I'm so sorry. My surgeon's practice consists of 3 drs that do bariatric surgery as well as general surgery, gall bladder, appendix, etc and a few others, one at least that I know of is an oncologist surgeon. It is a pretty big practice.

Please contact the receptionist/nurse and absolutely voice your opinion and concerns. That's what they get paid for. They won't know or can't understand what you are experiencing if they are unaware.

Good luck hun and remember, you have a support group on this board that is here for you!

I would be very frustrated if this was me too and would demand better consideration. My surgeon was Dr Halmi and I have seen him every single time when I have had any follow up and appointments, He is great! I have never had any issues but I have heard that he does come to the hospital if anyone was admitted. Once he was in the same hospital as me when I was having  one of my plastic surgeries and both him and Dr Tran came over to say hi and wish me luck.... so I have no compliants about my surgeon's office at all. That is the way I think everyone should feel. Please complain and do not take this kind of treatment from them...

Jackie