Need Dr. referal in Atl area

NewDay said:

Hi Ga2536,

I'm assuming that, by now, you have found a new doctor, but, if not, I wanted to retract my recommendation of Dr. Pattaras. I have nothing against him. I'm sure he is a fine surgeon (at least I hope so), but have not been able to see him since surgery. He was very good about answering questions before hand, but apparently his procedure is to hand you off to his physician's assistant after surgery and it is even hard to get hold of her. The few times I have called to ask her anything, she has had the nurse call me instead. It took her a week to submit the one week extension on my short term disability so she may have cost me a week's pay. I'm sure she is a very fine doctor, but I just don't feel safe with my ongoing treatment and decisions being made by a PA. Emory has an excellent reputation, but I think they may just have too many patients to provide much individual attention. I have met with an Oncologist and I have a Nephrologist keeping an eye on my remaining kidney, so I plan to drop Dr. Pattaras and his PA now. I hope you found someone you are happy with.

Kathy

Hi NewDay

Sorry you are having this trouble with your surgeon. Mine was with Emory as well, and I have had a very similar experiences; very friendly before surgery, but absent after.

The office is not good about returning calls or following up on any problems, and when I do get a nurse on the line it's like they have no training in Urology and have little to no idea of what I'm talking about; not even certain they are really nurses. Very frustrating.

I think I am going to follow up with my old Urologist that is not in the Emory network, and check into the recommendation of Dr. Seay, Oncologist.