Reconstruction Nightmare

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ReelJiggy
ReelJiggy Member Posts: 14
Okay, here is my story, my current dilemma.
I started my breast reconstruction on July 7th. I had my expander surgery. The surgery is considered outpatient and was done in my doc’s surgical suite, in his office, his office is in a med building three steps from the admissions desk at one of our local hospitals.
I went in the week before for pre-op. Told the gal that I would need dilaudid to help with the pain as morphine does not work on me, also refused the script for Vicodin, also a drug that does nothing for me. Told her I had plenty of Percoset left over from my last surgery. No problem she said, just tell them after surgery.
After surgery, I remember being “tossed” around on the recovery table as this skinny nurse was trying to put a compression bra on me. ( shouldn’t this be done when the patient is still under anesthesia? Then she got me off the table to walk to the next room, it was way too soon, I was barely out of the anesthesia, I told her I couldn’t walk yet, man she is so lucky I didn’t fall, don’t know how I made it. She insisted. I asked for the dilaudid and was told that they didn’t have it. I blew a fuse and told them I felt misrepresented. Nurse with an attitude went to the waiting room and told my sister that I was out of surgery, but I was hysterical.
The doc came in and he was pissed. “we told you this was out patient, our patients go home after this surgery” When he came in the second time he decided to admit me to the hospital so I could get what I needed because he did not want me to be uncomfortable, and clearly I was uncomfortable, “but it would be BIZARRE if I needed two nights”. Nurse w/an attitude was telling my husband that he was going to have to pull the car around to take me to the hospital (the doc’s office is attached to the hospital and an easy walk down one corridor) I figured if I was going to be loaded into a car, just take me home, I would figure it out, after all I had a bottle of percoset and I was not afraid to use it! Then they decided to take me by wheel chair. So skinny nurse was pushing me out of the room all the while saying “I don’t know how to get to the hospital…” I had to give her directions. We get to admissions and skinny nurse decides to leave me there, “tell them that this is our wheel chair” and off she went. This is about the time I realized that it was after 5pm, dinner must have been getting cold! I started vomiting at the admission desk (no pain meds for at least an hour). I get up to my room and had the best nursing care from the hospital staff. The only problem was that the doc did not have a pager, so the nurse knew I needed Zolfran for the continued vomiting, but couldn’t give it to me because she did not have an order for it. Finally got the Zolfran, needed help every time I had to get up, the pain was too intense even with the Dilaudid pump. The next morning I told the nurse that she needed to start me on oral pain meds, I needed to make sure I could manage the pain before I went home and I certainly did not want to do anything bizarre! Of course the only oral pain med on order was VICODIN! The doc came in and asked if I needed another night????? Really???? I apologized for misspeaking, I should have said misunderstood instead of misrepresented, but I was just out of anesthesia, he told me that I did not need to apologize for anything, he “did not know I would react that way”.
The exchange surgery will be done in the hospital and not his surgical suite.

The way I look at it, his staff did not have my best interest in mind that day. There were so many opportunities to repair the relationship. I don’t think the doc had my best interest in mind after the surgery either.

Do I want to continue with this guy or should I take my business elsewhere for the remainder of my reconstruction?

Side note: I work for a University with a VERY popular football team, tickets are hard to come by. I understand my doc has been a real SOB with our development dept trying to get tickets for games. I just don't like peeps who think they are better than others and make it peoples lives difficult in their jobs.

Comments

  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
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    GRRRRRR!!!!
    Well my goodness they certainly did not treat you with the common respect that they should have and to not have the drugs you clearly stated you would need is horrible. I am so sorry you had to go through this. I had my recon about 18 month ago and just recently had the nipple put on so I am finally done for a bit. I am not sure if you should shelf this doc or not, is he a really good surgeon with a good reputation and prior to this did you have a good working relationship? Its important because you have to go in for fills with the expanders in and you will be seeing a lot of these folks. I think I would be up front (as it seems you are) with them and make sure it is clearly stated in your medical records what meds you need and what meds you cannot tolerate. I would then ask for a copy of where that is in your file for future ref. I would also make it clear before any future surgeries that they have the meds on hand that you require there is no reason for them not to be prepared. My surgeon also does his surgeries in his office but my medical insurance would not allow it so i had mine done in the hospital. I hope your future appointments go much smoother and I hope skinny nurse gets a dose of her own medicine somewhere along the line.

    Oh yes welcome to our board, sorry you have a need to be here but glad you joined us!

    RE
  • ReelJiggy
    ReelJiggy Member Posts: 14
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    RE said:

    GRRRRRR!!!!
    Well my goodness they certainly did not treat you with the common respect that they should have and to not have the drugs you clearly stated you would need is horrible. I am so sorry you had to go through this. I had my recon about 18 month ago and just recently had the nipple put on so I am finally done for a bit. I am not sure if you should shelf this doc or not, is he a really good surgeon with a good reputation and prior to this did you have a good working relationship? Its important because you have to go in for fills with the expanders in and you will be seeing a lot of these folks. I think I would be up front (as it seems you are) with them and make sure it is clearly stated in your medical records what meds you need and what meds you cannot tolerate. I would then ask for a copy of where that is in your file for future ref. I would also make it clear before any future surgeries that they have the meds on hand that you require there is no reason for them not to be prepared. My surgeon also does his surgeries in his office but my medical insurance would not allow it so i had mine done in the hospital. I hope your future appointments go much smoother and I hope skinny nurse gets a dose of her own medicine somewhere along the line.

    Oh yes welcome to our board, sorry you have a need to be here but glad you joined us!

    RE

    Yes, he is considered an
    Yes, he is considered an "artist". I have an appointment tomorrow for my first fill. I will have to discuss this with him. I do have a long road ahead of me with him and I don't want to dread going in.
    I just couldn't get over the way I was treated. Clearly it was late in the day and they wanted to just get rid of me, hence the walk to the other room when I was not ready, they had my clothes out and everything, hurrying me along.
  • Different Ballgame
    Different Ballgame Member Posts: 868
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    Change Doctors
    Leopards spots don't change. It sounds like everyone, including the doctor, owes you an apology BIG TIME. I don't believe in looking for excuses for bad behavior.

    If you have other competent and excellent plastic surgeons in your area, change immediately.
    If not, then you need to sit down and talk to your doctor and tell him what took place.

    Keep us posted.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Janelle
  • ReelJiggy
    ReelJiggy Member Posts: 14
    Options

    Change Doctors
    Leopards spots don't change. It sounds like everyone, including the doctor, owes you an apology BIG TIME. I don't believe in looking for excuses for bad behavior.

    If you have other competent and excellent plastic surgeons in your area, change immediately.
    If not, then you need to sit down and talk to your doctor and tell him what took place.

    Keep us posted.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Janelle

    There is another surgeon who
    There is another surgeon who is very good and very respected. Good advice. Oh, I am going to my appt tomorrow. I will have a chat with him. I assume that he does not know about the pre-op, and the staff care that day, maybe he does. We'll see what kind of attitude he has when I go in.
    Thank you so much!
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
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    Hi i was just on facebook
    Hi i was just on facebook and seen your post so i figured id come and check it out. I had a very similiar experience with my surgery a couple of weeks ago. I posted it under "venting after surgery" This was my last reconstruction surgery...the docs want me to do one more but i refuse to. I did turn them into the hospital but i didnt want to get anyone fired i just wanted them to do their job...cuz if they have to treat people like that then they are in the wrong profession. Yet the hospital is investigating it but i want to also talk to my doc about it. Which i will do this coming friday when i go have my stitches removed. Everything is still in its early stages since its only been a couple weeks. Yet i really like my doc and shes been with me from the beginning and i dont plan on changing docs but i will also give her a chance to address the matter too...this will be the first time i can actually talk with her without vomiting or having intense pain and i believe she will do the right thing. Your situation since your just starting maybe bring it to his attention and see how he reacts and base your decision on that, if you want to find another doc or not. ITs no fun to have cancer and going thru everything we go thru with it then have to deal with treatment like this. Keep us posted on what you decide...cuz im curious on the outcome of it all.
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
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    jo jo said:

    Hi i was just on facebook
    Hi i was just on facebook and seen your post so i figured id come and check it out. I had a very similiar experience with my surgery a couple of weeks ago. I posted it under "venting after surgery" This was my last reconstruction surgery...the docs want me to do one more but i refuse to. I did turn them into the hospital but i didnt want to get anyone fired i just wanted them to do their job...cuz if they have to treat people like that then they are in the wrong profession. Yet the hospital is investigating it but i want to also talk to my doc about it. Which i will do this coming friday when i go have my stitches removed. Everything is still in its early stages since its only been a couple weeks. Yet i really like my doc and shes been with me from the beginning and i dont plan on changing docs but i will also give her a chance to address the matter too...this will be the first time i can actually talk with her without vomiting or having intense pain and i believe she will do the right thing. Your situation since your just starting maybe bring it to his attention and see how he reacts and base your decision on that, if you want to find another doc or not. ITs no fun to have cancer and going thru everything we go thru with it then have to deal with treatment like this. Keep us posted on what you decide...cuz im curious on the outcome of it all.

    HI... All I can say is WOW.
    HI... All I can say is WOW.

    I am currently sporting tissue expanders too. Mine were inserted the same day I had my mastectomy. Now mind you I had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and when I came to in recovery I was still on the gurney with my breast binder securely in place. MY PS had to do another minor nip tuck two weeks later on one of my incisions and again I awoke with my breast binder already on. This second surgery of mine was an outpatient surgery just like yours was. I can't imagine being asked to walk out of a room after just coming out of a chemical induced sleep.

    Sounds like maybe your PS needs to be informed about skinny nurses bedside manner. Make him aware of his staffs mistakes, because if it's happened to you I am sure there are others. JoJo in the above post has similar mistreatment. I feel so blessed with my team of doctors..

    Best of Luck, I can't wait to hear how this all turns out.
    Hugs,
    Lorrie
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
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    ReelJiggy said:

    There is another surgeon who
    There is another surgeon who is very good and very respected. Good advice. Oh, I am going to my appt tomorrow. I will have a chat with him. I assume that he does not know about the pre-op, and the staff care that day, maybe he does. We'll see what kind of attitude he has when I go in.
    Thank you so much!

    That was a nightmare! I am
    That was a nightmare! I am so sorry. Good luck today with your appointment and welcome to the site ReelJiggy!


    ♠♣ Love, Susie ♠♣
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
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    I totally understand the
    I totally understand the incompetence and unprofessionalism displayed by YOUR medical team who work for YOU and whom YOU pay for services from them. They should know that after every surgery, not everyone comes out the same, that there could be complications afterwards and they should be prepared for it. They were not prepared in the least to take care what you obviously meticulously planned ahead for and told them. Big wooping deal if they scheduled your surgery late in the day and dinner was cold, etc. They had an obligation to take care of you, and take care of you well!!! Hysterical?? I have been there with a clinic I had so many probs with in different depts. Of course we are upset. We have the right to be treated with respect, courtesy, professionalism, competence, etc. I think it was Chentheart who in a post I had just recently talked about the crap I got from a nurse at the pain clinic I go to gave some very good advice on how to talk to the clinic about the treatment I received. I can't remember the name of the post but it was within the last week. Personally, on an emotional level, I could not go back to that surgeon. I need to trust my medical staff and once. it is broken that badly, thats it. I fired my surgeon last april because of her surg tech. Love the surgeon, but the surg tech isnt worth it. recently got a call from the surgeons office that she needs to see me for 8 month check up, told receptionist I REFUSE to let that surg tech, communicate for the dr. see my charts, be in the room, she is banned from any form of dealing with me. Turns out she is "transferring" to a different dept. My appt is scheduled well after her "last" day. Please go where you feel safe and respected. I am learning that our bodies need calmness when they are faced with an serious illness. As to hysterical??? I bet you were mad, in disbelief, shock, and thru the roof that they had not planned ahead accoringly to your pre-op instructions you gave them. You had the right to be upset!! Good luck in making the right choice for you.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
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    HI... All I can say is WOW.
    HI... All I can say is WOW.

    I am currently sporting tissue expanders too. Mine were inserted the same day I had my mastectomy. Now mind you I had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and when I came to in recovery I was still on the gurney with my breast binder securely in place. MY PS had to do another minor nip tuck two weeks later on one of my incisions and again I awoke with my breast binder already on. This second surgery of mine was an outpatient surgery just like yours was. I can't imagine being asked to walk out of a room after just coming out of a chemical induced sleep.

    Sounds like maybe your PS needs to be informed about skinny nurses bedside manner. Make him aware of his staffs mistakes, because if it's happened to you I am sure there are others. JoJo in the above post has similar mistreatment. I feel so blessed with my team of doctors..

    Best of Luck, I can't wait to hear how this all turns out.
    Hugs,
    Lorrie

    I read this post earlier and
    I read this post earlier and I think I was so shocked at what happened to you that I didn't know what to say. I certainly will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.


    Lex
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    Options

    HI... All I can say is WOW.
    HI... All I can say is WOW.

    I am currently sporting tissue expanders too. Mine were inserted the same day I had my mastectomy. Now mind you I had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and when I came to in recovery I was still on the gurney with my breast binder securely in place. MY PS had to do another minor nip tuck two weeks later on one of my incisions and again I awoke with my breast binder already on. This second surgery of mine was an outpatient surgery just like yours was. I can't imagine being asked to walk out of a room after just coming out of a chemical induced sleep.

    Sounds like maybe your PS needs to be informed about skinny nurses bedside manner. Make him aware of his staffs mistakes, because if it's happened to you I am sure there are others. JoJo in the above post has similar mistreatment. I feel so blessed with my team of doctors..

    Best of Luck, I can't wait to hear how this all turns out.
    Hugs,
    Lorrie

    I read this post earlier and
    I read this post earlier and I think I was so shocked at what happened to you that I didn't know what to say. I certainly will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.


    Lex
  • ReelJiggy
    ReelJiggy Member Posts: 14
    Options

    I totally understand the
    I totally understand the incompetence and unprofessionalism displayed by YOUR medical team who work for YOU and whom YOU pay for services from them. They should know that after every surgery, not everyone comes out the same, that there could be complications afterwards and they should be prepared for it. They were not prepared in the least to take care what you obviously meticulously planned ahead for and told them. Big wooping deal if they scheduled your surgery late in the day and dinner was cold, etc. They had an obligation to take care of you, and take care of you well!!! Hysterical?? I have been there with a clinic I had so many probs with in different depts. Of course we are upset. We have the right to be treated with respect, courtesy, professionalism, competence, etc. I think it was Chentheart who in a post I had just recently talked about the crap I got from a nurse at the pain clinic I go to gave some very good advice on how to talk to the clinic about the treatment I received. I can't remember the name of the post but it was within the last week. Personally, on an emotional level, I could not go back to that surgeon. I need to trust my medical staff and once. it is broken that badly, thats it. I fired my surgeon last april because of her surg tech. Love the surgeon, but the surg tech isnt worth it. recently got a call from the surgeons office that she needs to see me for 8 month check up, told receptionist I REFUSE to let that surg tech, communicate for the dr. see my charts, be in the room, she is banned from any form of dealing with me. Turns out she is "transferring" to a different dept. My appt is scheduled well after her "last" day. Please go where you feel safe and respected. I am learning that our bodies need calmness when they are faced with an serious illness. As to hysterical??? I bet you were mad, in disbelief, shock, and thru the roof that they had not planned ahead accoringly to your pre-op instructions you gave them. You had the right to be upset!! Good luck in making the right choice for you.

    Well, I sure do appreciate
    Well, I sure do appreciate all of this feedback. I was starting to wonder if it was me who was missing something! My husband says I don’t handle pain well. That is not true. Just give me what I need and I will be back up and running soon, sometimes too soon.
    At any rate, I went to my post op appt yesterday and the doc and his staff were VERY nice to me. I am still on guard and will be watching them very closely. I live in a small-ish community. There is another surgeon who is very good as well, but I already know that he has the personality of a recliner. I will have my exchange surgery in the HOSPITAL, and I know that I will have excellent care there! I am sure that half of what happened to me the other day, the doctor doesn’t even know about, but he was also rude to me. I may have gone off the deep end and yes, maybe I was hysterical, I don’t think I was, but I certainly don’t think that it was professional for Nurse with an attitude to announce to the waiting room that I was hysterical. I will have may day with the doc when this is all finished. He will get the full report. For now, I need to get this done and as long as they continue in the manner of yesterday, I am okay. Generally I am a very quiet, calm, willing patient. I did not expect that this would be painless, actually, I knew that there would be a great deal of pain. JUST GIVE ME WHAT I NEED AND YOU WON’T HEAR FROM ME!
    I was going to have a chat with him yesterday at my appt, but he had a student with him, so I did not think that it was appropriate. He did ask me permission for the student to come in, so that is a good thing.
    Let’s hope that after I am done and I have my chat with the doc that he makes changes so that any of our new sisters don’t have to go through what I went through!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    Options

    Change Doctors
    Leopards spots don't change. It sounds like everyone, including the doctor, owes you an apology BIG TIME. I don't believe in looking for excuses for bad behavior.

    If you have other competent and excellent plastic surgeons in your area, change immediately.
    If not, then you need to sit down and talk to your doctor and tell him what took place.

    Keep us posted.

    Lots of Hugs,
    Janelle

    You are owed an apology at
    You are owed an apology at the least. You should not be treated like this. Praying it gets better for you!
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
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    ReelJiggy said:

    Well, I sure do appreciate
    Well, I sure do appreciate all of this feedback. I was starting to wonder if it was me who was missing something! My husband says I don’t handle pain well. That is not true. Just give me what I need and I will be back up and running soon, sometimes too soon.
    At any rate, I went to my post op appt yesterday and the doc and his staff were VERY nice to me. I am still on guard and will be watching them very closely. I live in a small-ish community. There is another surgeon who is very good as well, but I already know that he has the personality of a recliner. I will have my exchange surgery in the HOSPITAL, and I know that I will have excellent care there! I am sure that half of what happened to me the other day, the doctor doesn’t even know about, but he was also rude to me. I may have gone off the deep end and yes, maybe I was hysterical, I don’t think I was, but I certainly don’t think that it was professional for Nurse with an attitude to announce to the waiting room that I was hysterical. I will have may day with the doc when this is all finished. He will get the full report. For now, I need to get this done and as long as they continue in the manner of yesterday, I am okay. Generally I am a very quiet, calm, willing patient. I did not expect that this would be painless, actually, I knew that there would be a great deal of pain. JUST GIVE ME WHAT I NEED AND YOU WON’T HEAR FROM ME!
    I was going to have a chat with him yesterday at my appt, but he had a student with him, so I did not think that it was appropriate. He did ask me permission for the student to come in, so that is a good thing.
    Let’s hope that after I am done and I have my chat with the doc that he makes changes so that any of our new sisters don’t have to go through what I went through!

    'ReelJiggy' ... First of all, I LOL .. as I thought things
    like this, only happened to me. Second of all, I would insist on a 1 to 1 meeting with your doctor - ASAP (rudeness, mishap and offensive statements written out) - I would calmly have a frank conversation with doctor .. with included the lack of compassion, and professionalism of that skinny bitc&&& nurse.

    I would ask that you medical file be present at this meeting -- insisting that your doctor, or nurse write in your chart (in front of you) .. drug issues, reactions - etc.

    You are NOT a number, you are a WARRIOR fighting the beast called breast cancer ---!

    You have insurance, right. You are paying this doctor for his services, right? It may be time to switch doctors, as suggested above.

    Happy healing .. :)

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam