To All Post-Op Sisters: Be Your Own Advocate

I just have to say something: Doctors are human beings. Some are good, some are really bad. Some are arrogant jerks. And I have noticed that many sisters are reluctant to push issues with their doctors. What I want to say to everyone is, you have to be your own advocate. MAKE your doctor listen to you if he or she refuses to listen, or dismisses your concerns--especially, if it is regarding something that you know is important. Sometimes you have to practically hit a doc over the head with a two-by-four (metaphorically, of course) before he will realize that there is a problem. My sister-in-law is an RN, and she believes all surgeons are jerks. I don't believe that, but I do believe doctors "can" develop a "god complex" and that makes them very reluctant to listen to us mortals.

But ladies, this is your health! This is major surgery! I have read too many posts where a sister was being ignored or abused (I would say) by her doctor, and she is very unwilling to get a second opinion or stand up to him. Our society tells women that if we make too much of a noise about something, then we are *****y. Well, so be it--be *****y, if that's what it takes. If you have a doctor that has a god complex or is overly fond of himself, do whatever it takes to make him listen.

Okay--soapbox over. Sorry, but I get so angry at doctors sometimes. I'm very lucky concerning my own surgeon--she is amazing, and I am picky about doctors (as I'm sure you all guessed). But I have had some jerky doctors in my time, and nothing makes me more angry than someone who thinks they are god when they are supposed to be helping people.