Getting A Second Opinion. Why do I feel guilty?

I decided to get a second opinion without cancelling any of my upcoming appointments or surgery date with my current doctor.

Is that a pretty standard thing to do?

Should I tell them I'm seeking another opinion and let my surgery date go?

I'll need to contact them soon to have my records sent to the second doctor. I'm a little anxious about making that call.

Don't feel guilty - it's your body, you absolutely have the right to be sure that you've exhausted all the possibilities before someone starts taking part of you away! Just be honest with your doctor - I'm sure many patients seek a second opinion - it's nothing they haven't seen before!
Good luck with your decision!

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Originally Posted by Steena Don't feel guilty - it's your body, you absolutely have the right to be sure that you've exhausted all the possibilities before someone starts taking part of you away! Just be honest with your doctor - I'm sure many patients seek a second opinion - it's nothing they haven't seen before! Good luck with your decision!

Thanks for the encouragement.

I've already seen the specialist, THE guy in da Vinci robotic hysterectomy in the nation (at least according to multiple resources, even this site.). He seems to think he can fix my issues (uterovaginal prolapse, rectocele, and cystocele) by doing a complete hysterectomy, attaching the vaginal cuff to my uterosacral ligaments.

I want to certain that he will adequately, and dare I say aggressively, repair rectocele and cystocele. He is NOT a urogynecologist, and even though he is very skilled using the da Vinci method to perform hysterectomies, I'm not so sure how skilled he is at vaginal hernia repair.

Today I found the name of a urogynecologist in Orlando and made an appointment with her. She works out of a huge hospital exclusively for women and children. Even the forms she has for her patients complete are more geared toward pelvic floor dysfunction.

Why do I feel so unsure about going to see her? I'm thinking that I just want to make a decision and be done with it. But I need to make the right decision. This is just so difficult.

Perhaps you're a little in awe of the first specialist, given that he has such a good reputation? What's good is you seem very well-informed about what you need to have done - I remember my own doctor being quite impressed when I arrived for our second consulation armed with medical books and all the latest research downloaded off the net! She also encouraged me to speak to other specialists if I needed to. Speak to the person in Orlando - even if you end up going with the first guy, you'll know you've covered all the bases and have more peace of mind!

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Originally Posted by Steena Perhaps you're a little in awe of the first specialist, given that he has such a good reputation? What's good is you seem very well-informed about what you need to have done - I remember my own doctor being quite impressed when I arrived for our second consulation armed with medical books and all the latest research downloaded off the net! She also encouraged me to speak to other specialists if I needed to. Speak to the person in Orlando - even if you end up going with the first guy, you'll know you've covered all the bases and have more peace of mind!

True. If I don't see the doctor in Orlando I will probably wonder the rest of my life what she would have told me and if it would have been a better solution.

Just scheduled another appointment with yet another doctor for this Thursday. I was a little suspicious as to why I got in so quickly, maybe nobody likes them! LOL

But the doctor I am scheduled to see has this listed under her name...

"Dr. ******* was recently awarded one of the Best Doctors in America, 2010-2011, as seen in Orlando Magazine' Best Doctor and Top Doctor Lists."

So she can't be all bad.

I almost waited a week to see this guy that had this listed under his bio...

"Dr. ****** has received the Patient's Choice Award, 2008-2010, Compassionate Doctor Recognition Award, 2010, Patient's Choice Award, 2011 and most recently honored the Compassionate Doctor Recognition Award, 2011. "

Anyway, it looks as though this is a good practice at my favorite local hospital. Yes, I have a favorite hospital.

I think good Drs aren't threatened by patients getting 2nd opinions. You're right, if you don't get the opinions you'll forever wonder if you could have done better. This way you can feel assured you made THE best choice.

Lol - you'll be able to write a definitive guide to the local medical system soon! Good luck!

Hey, Dormouse:-) FYI: I got THREE opinions a couple of years ago when I first thought I might have to do this. My DR. also suggested I go to a place where they did embolization to see if I might be a good candidate for that. I didn't, but the point is that I think there is actually an expectation that you SHOULD get at least a 2nd opinion and be as fully informed as you can. Hope it all goes well! I'm 8 days post-op now and doing fine. I'm a little tired of doing so much of nothing, but that's really the worst part;-)

I think you are being very smart to do your research and get multiple opinions! I spoke to three doctors before my hysterectomy and went with the third, who also turned out to be my surgeon. Something just clicked when I spoke with her, she seemed to get my issues, and she did have a terrific reputation which I knew going in. But I went with my gut somewhat too, and had a blessedly uneventful surgery and recovery. I also felt that after meeting her and speaking with her, I didn't need to go any further in getting opinions, but if I hadn't felt good about her, I would have sought another opinion. It's major surgery and it's your body - You can't be too careful. Best of luck to you!