communication with doctor LACKS

I know i will be having a TAH in three weeks. I have many questions that I need answers to. I have tried and tried to talk to my surgeon, but can't get past his receptionist. The lack of communication has only fueled my anxiety. It seems that maybe I wont see the surgeon at all. Maybe he will just breeze in while I'm under and do his surgery and dissappear again. I don't want to be a pest but I need some communication. I wonder if others have this problem - will I have to wait until my pre-op appointment to get my questions answered?

I want to know: where will my incisiion be (I have had a c-section) - can they cut over my c-section scar?

I want to know if I can ge anti-nausea drugs before I wake up because I always get so sick.

I want to know how long I will be in the hospital.

I want to know how long I will be on disability.

These and other questions - but I can't seem to get anyone to talk to me. After I complained that I needed to talk to the surgeon, the office had his associate talk to me, but his associate was vague-- in fact he wasnt even aware that I was going to have a TAH, he thought they were just going to remove one ovary-- but I never want to do this again, and I'm almost 50 with history of family cancer so I want EVERYTHING out. So, maybe now Im not sure what kind of surgery I will really have.

ARRRG. Do the doctor's care that I'm going nuts over this thing?

Could u ask the receptionist to get the gyny to phone u at home or on your mobile (if u have one) as the matter is urgent, you're getting anxious?

Could u fax your questions thru to the gyny, addressed personally to him, with possibly a fax no. and / or phone numbers for his reply?

I have a book I write in with questions to ask each dr / gyny I go to so I don't forget to ask anything!!! (though I usually forget something).

Even if u have to phone the receptionist every day, do it until your questions are answered. They'll catch on then surely!

Huuuuuuuugs.

I thinking you should cry or something in the office . Maybe then the darn receptionist willlet you in. The other alternative is to address a letter to him via the hospital admin but that would take afew days .

I want to know: where will my incisiion be (I have had a c-section) - can they cut over my c-section scar?
A : I have had two previous C sections and thye cut over the c section scar . the healing rate was just about the same but my adhesions form endometriosis and previous surgeries were abit of a problem


I want to know if I can ge anti-nausea drugs before I wake up because I always get so sick.
A : Make your wish clear before thye put you under . I react to clebon , stemetil and maxalon so they had to give me zofran ( ondensatron .. sp ??? )via IV


I want to know how long I will be in the hospital.
A : this varies I was in hospital for 5 days post OP bec DH insisted i stay in until they cut my threads . Some hospitals discharge you after a day some longer . But then the practice here is a minumumof three days . I live in SG



I want to know how long I will be on disability.
A : Notknowing the practice in your region I cant answer this .

mei

Can you find out the name and telephone number of your surgeon's nurse? I have had great luck talking to the nurse as an intermediary. The nurse can get your folder, talk to you, read the notes and tell you what the doctor has written. She can also take the questions that she can't answer to your surgeon and call you back with the answers.

I have had several questions that the nurse has been able to answer over the phone -- this doesn't intrude on your doctor's time and the nurse can always call you back if she is currently busy. My has been great! Actually, my has been great, too!

My only problem is that I have 2 male office mates, and when I talk with the nurse I want to ask questions like: "Is it safer for the woman to be on top during sex when the vagina is not quite healed, but you've been cleared for sex?" My office mates are certainly getting an education !!

s to you and good luck!!

thanks for all the answers - i appreciate the answer about the doctor's nurse. However, its the doctor's nurse (or P.A.) that has called me back, but given me vague answers. English is not his first language, so maybe we have a problem communicating, but it is frustrating. I think I will send a fax to the office with my questions and maybe that will help clarity.

My DH thinks I should just wait until my pre-op and save all my questions for then, but with 3 weeks to go, it seems like an eternity!!

large ovarian complex cyst, TAH

I just basically told them I wanted a consult app't with my doctor. It really helped to sit with him face to face. Do whatever you need to do to get your needs met with this. It's important!

Good Luck!

BunnyLover

Call and schedule a pre surgery consult appt--tell her that you're scheduled for surgery in 3 weeks and you need an app't right away. If you can't get in right away, ask to be put on a waiting list in case someone cancels.

I totally understand that you NEED answers now! Good luck!

Sorry you're having such a hard time with your doctor's office.

I wrote a list of questions I had prior to my surgery and took it with me during my "last" pre-op appointment. My doctor took quite a bit of time (surpised me!) going over my questions. She answered every one that I cared to ask (some were even answered before I could ask). If you want to see my list please e-mail me (I've also updated it with things that either happened during or after my surgery). Granted this is just my situation. She gave me estimated time for surgery, why a vertical incision, what she would look for during surgery, length of time in the hospital, time off of work (in writing no less), driving, release to return to work, etc., etc. She also wrote the hospital orders during that appointment.

Sometimes I felt like I was being a "baby" but I just wanted to go in to surgery well prepared. I was never treated that way.

SusieQ