Not really a second opinion but want a different

doc to do my surgery. Let me explain. I really like my ob/gyn I have been with him since I moved back five yrs ago. He has a wonderful bedside manor and wonderful personality. So I have used him although he has really messed up some surgeries. Now that he wants to schedule my surgery I have gotten scared and all my family, friends and coworkers say I am crazy if I allow him to operate on me knowing what has happened to coworkers and others. So today I called the office and told them to put everything on hold (surgery was to be 7-8-05) and I went to the ob/gyn I used to work for and signed a release for him to obtain my records. He talked with me briefly and I have an appointment on the 28th of June. I feel like I betrayed my doc. But its not worth the risk of him messing me up for the rest of my life.

Anyone else done this? I do want the surgery definately but I just need someone competent to do it.

Thanks
Ga

It's never happened to me, but if my doc had the same reputation I'd certainly not have let him operate on me!

I'm sure you've done the right thing. This surgery is hard enough to deal with without worrying about the competency of the surgeon. I'm glad you already knew another doc and didn't have to start searching all over again.

Good luck.

HollyK

Follow your heart darlin, I had Mr. Personality...NOT...he had no bedside manners at all, but was held high on everyones list as a great doc, I even called him an idiot...however, he did excellent with me....just make sure YOU trust the doc, if you do not trust him, then there has to be a reason...Good Luck, Brenda

Hi ganurse97,

Yep, I've done it. Not with my hyst, but one of my family were scheduled for surgery with a surgeon who I was not happy with at a hospital I was not comfortable with.

I cancelled, found different surgeon at hospital with better reputation.

It is your life, your body, and your choice. Good for you for taking control.

's
Kay

You have to do what is right for you. If I had heard the same stories about my surgeons, I would have done the same thing! You are fortunate to have an inside line on what the surgeons' reputations are.

Good luck to you and don't give it another thought. It's your body and your choice.

maggiemay

ganurse97,

Yep been there - done that too. I went to my pre-op for my May 4th surgery and the doctor didn't have the correct answers for me and I got a specialists name and switched doctors that day but had to wait 8 weeks for surgery - hope it's worth it. 1 more week to wait - finally.

Ga, It is no fun to suffer thought a complication. You owe it to yourself to find the best most competent surgeon you can find. Most of the time we have no real information on this count. You do. You better act on it!

Hi, ganurse97,
Definitely, it is so upsetting to have an unexpected glitch like this...and I totally understand!! I, too, had my surgery date scheduled with my dr. of 9 years whom I love...but VERY unexpectedly I heard from several sources that surgery is NOT a "strong point" for him, to put it kindly. What turmoil as I decided to go elsewhere and attempted to find someone who takes new patients and is a good surgeon. (My normally introverted personality became extroverted as I talked to everyone about doctors and opinions!) Finally have a new dr. and a NEW surgery date...wrote a letter to my former dr. to thank for his great care but that I will be changing physicians...awkward at best, isn't it? Sending a HUG as you make your decisions!

Hi ganurse:

I think it's important to get a 2nd opinion even if you like your doctor, especially when it concerns major surgery. And, let's face it, you are not betraying your doctor. You are taking care of yourself. If you were going to put a pool in your backyard, wouldn't you get a couple of bids?

Just some food for thought.

It surprises me a great deal that the regular doctor of a person is presumed to also be their surgeon- this is not the case in other professions, such as heart surgery and cancer surgery, where cardiologists and oncologists only diagnose, but surgeons do the surgery for heart and cancer cases.

It is not necessary to "switch doctors", only to get a surgeon who is different than your regular doctor, and inform your regular doctor that you would feel more comfortable having your surgery done with someone who specializes in surgery, but that you will return to him or her for regular care after that.

Most surgeons who specialize in surgery are located in major hospitals with medical colleges. You would have to check with your insurance company as to which hospitals you would qualify for; for example, the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, Columbia University in New York State, Brigham and Women's in Massachusetts, and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota (these are only a few examples- most states have large medical clinics in their state, or insurance companies will have arrangements with a hospital in an adjacent state).

Thus, getting away from the idea that your regular doctor HAS to be your surgeon is the important one, but that your surgeon will only do the surgery, and will not BECOME your regular doctor (large hospitals don't generally allow this anyway- they pay surgeons to do surgery, not to do ordinary clinical care, and as a result, they are better surgeons).

-Torrie