TAH Anybody had this happen?

TAH ended up being a complete hyst, complicated by the Dr. cutting my rectum/colon. This matter was caught immediately, another surgeon was called in to make the repair, then there was a problem with one of my bladder tubes, a urologist was called in, ran dye and did x-rays. How am I supposed to pay for all these additional Dr.'s and costs? I absolutely love my Dr. and had complete faith in him. I understand these things happen, but is is medical neglect or malpractice?

You would think that it would be, but the nurse who set me up w my IVs and everything before surgery had me sign consent forms and there was a section that told me to acknowledge that certain things can happen during surgery. There were four or five things mentioned, and one of them was something about damage to the bladder. Did you sign anything like that? And, you could always talk to your doctor and ask them for at least a good payment plan for their own fees since you now have to pay these additional fees due to his mistake. Also, have you thought about your yearly maximum copay? How much more do you have to pay this year? Good luck w your recovery.

I did sign papers when the nurse was working me up. Didn't have time to read (surgery was ready and waiting). It was not explained to me though. I have a copy, I believe, of what I signed. I may ask the hospital for my surgery medical records.

I was told about all the possible complications at my pre op appt with my doctor. I signed all my pre op papers at that time with the consent forms. With any surgery there are possible risks and complications which your doctor has to make you aware of, do you have a copy of the forms you signed?

If you have insurance, everything related to a surgery is generally covered, even the unexpected stuff.

A really incompetent doctor wouldn't have noticed the "extra cuts" and wouldn't have called in other doctors to help. So even with the extra complications, you're already ahead of the game since those cuts have been repaired.