strange?

I've read other threads about women having 3 week, or 2 week post-ops, I have a 6 week post-op appt.

What is strange is that the only time I ever saw my doctor was at my pre-op, (never even MET her before) and about ten minutes before my surgery. I never saw her again. Not after my surgery or at my discharge the next early morning. I was offically discharged at 11 am.

I had a TAH. They took everything. I am diabetic, on Lantus. My doctor had my take a half dose on my Lantus the night before my surgery. She did not order my Lantus for my stay at the Castle. My sugar level the night after the surgery was 188, when it should have been under 140. Then next morning it was over 200. The nurses were concerned so they called a specialist in to ask ME why my sugar was so high and I told him why. I told him because they didn't give me my Lantus. The nurse said it wasn't ordered and they couldn't give me something that wasn't ordered.

It's taken me over two years to get my diabeties under control. I've been home 10 days now, and my sugar level are still not under control yet. In addition, I developed a painful urinary tract infection, that my regular doctor could not treat since I am under the care of a GYN who is very difficult to reach. It took me two days to reach her. I could not get to the Castle where I had the surgery as I have no vehicle, and it's over 30 miles away.

I was given basically no discharge instruction except for 'don't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk'. I was given two prescriptions: darvocet, and a stool softener, and I had to sign a paper.

An intern took my bandage off, she took the catheter out, told me to urinate in the cup, walk around the room, take a shower, and go home. I had to call my daughter to come and get, as my ride didn't expect me to leave until the next day.

When I go for my 6 week post op, it will be the last time I see this doctor. If I ever need another gyn, I'm finding another.

I've decided not to use HRT, for me, being diabetic with high blood pressure, the risks are just way too high.

I just had a six week post op appt although it ended up being five weeks due to Christmas. i requested an appoint recently and had one on friday but it was me who asked, not routine. I'm glad I went again just to really check all is going OK. I'm sure you could ask for another if you feel its needed.

KyaMia

I agree that this is strange, especially your Dr not seeing you before you were discharged. You think she may have come to visit you when you might have been out of it? I was visited by my Dr 3 times: the same night after the surgery at 10am, the next morning around 8am and then at discharge.

I hope you've read from this site to take it easy and not over do it. To get plenty of rest, take your pain meds, drink lots & lots of water and to take small daily walks each day. And even if you don't have an appetite try to eat something.

I hope you can get your diabeties under control ASAP.

Also, I would agree on finding another GYN if this one is like you say. I switched GYN's a long time ago because the one that I did have only worked part time, was hard to get an appt and seem to never be there at a time when I needed to see her.

Good luck and I hope things get better for you real soon. Keep us posted.

and

If it wasn't for this site I wouldn't know WHAT to do. I'm so very grateful for all the advise and support!. I've been taking it easy and walking 2 -3 times a day. My dh has been very supportive. He even made a pallet on floor by the bed for himself, so he wouldn't accidentally rollover and hurt me!

I never left my room except for the intern asked me to walk into the hallway. And I asked the nurses if my doctor every came by and they said no, it wasn't on the chart.

Thanks to everyone.

KyaMia

In that case, I would definately ask around and do some research to find another GYN. This Dr seems not to be very personal with her patients. Just doesn't sound normal to me.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

KyaMia, it's right to expect more than you got from your Dr. You are your own advocate so you need to speak up when you feel you aren't being treated properly. Since you did not get the instructions that are critical to your recuperation I would call the Dr's office and request a call back by the Dr or an appointment. When you have the chance to finally speak to the Dr, don't be afraid, they are employed by you. Express your concerns and ask your questions and if you are not satisfied with the way you are treated make sure the Dr knows why you will be finding another Dr. Remember, the Dr is employed by you!!!
Michelle

Hi KyiMia,
That does sound strange that you didnt see your surgeon at all. I had my surgery on a Wed afternoon, saw the assisting surgeon that night, my gyn was in the next morning, saw the assisting surgeon that afternoon, and on Friday saw my dr and he discharged me. I went to his office the following Wed to have the staples removed by a nurse - no problems, on my way. My official post op is 6 weeks from surgery but I know that if I need to get in sooner I can. This dr of yours doenst seem to be very compassionate! Remember he/she works for YOU. Demand your rights. Take care sweetie!
Hugs,

That seems so uncaring for your doctor not to see you. I would definitely find another one. I am sorry you had such a bad time of it.

Good Luck

Boo

how appalling that the doctor didn't have your diabetic medicine on file. Did you have a pre-op appt....when they ask all the questions like, other surgeries, blood work, urine work? Wow, and i thought i had dealt with some crappy doctors. I think you should dump this doctor now...file a law suit....and get another doctor ASAP.

I saw my doctor at pre-op, a half hour b4 surgery...the next day when he ripped off my bandage (oh my gosh, that really was painful, and i told him if i could move faster, i'd of really hurt him bad) all he did was laugh at me and walk out of the room briskly). Then i saw his assistant the day of discharge. 4 weeks later was my post-op appointment. He told me, if i had any questions that i could call him anytime.

AnnRuthie

A person with diabetes should have medical clearance from an internist before surgery; recommendations from him/her about insulin should have been set up pre-op. The gyn is not really qualified, in general, to manage a diabetic.
In my case, when I was re-admitted to the hospital for the ileus, my doctor called in a surgeon who visited me 2x a day until the problem cleared. My gyn visited me EVERY day for my 2 admissions, including weekends.

In can be that your HMO/ins co might only pay for minimal visiting and that any extra visits are not reimbursed and the doctor does not want to work for free. Sad, if true.