problems with plastic surgeon/please advise

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ohilly
ohilly Member Posts: 441
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am desperate and don't know what to do: somebody please give some advice! I had a mastectomy and lattissimus dorsi flap reconstruction on Feb. 21. My plastic surgeon technically did an excellent job with the reconstruction, but I am having big problems with his office. When I went to see him initially, he told me he would do the surgery, but that while I was in the hospital recuperating, residents would see me 'because he could not handle seeing his female patients suffer and for emotional reasons.' However, he said he would see me at his office when I got out of the hospital. Well, it has been over a month now and I only see his Physicians' Assistant - he has not seen me one single time! Is this normal? I am very concerned that I have developed a seroma (fluid build up) which feels like a golf ball under my arm and I want him to look at it. I have an appt. on Monday and intend to demand that I see the doctor himself, not his P.A. The reason I have not done this so far is that the schedule is so difficult: I am working full-time and going out to his office 45 minutes away twice a week to drain the seroma. Another problem is that he has two offices - one nearer my home and another further away - and I have asked repeatedly to be seen at the closer one, only to be refused (they say they use the closer office only for new patient evaluations, which they did not tell me before). I have explained what a hardship it is to go from my home to the further office a million times, but to no avail. My sister is a pediatrician who actually refers to this doctor and is going to call him on Monday to discuss the whole thing. Someone on this board suggested I get someone closer to drain the fluid and just see this plastic surgeon periodically: I did explore this option with several people, but was told one surgeon does not want to deal with someone else's work and that they did not want to do it because you have to have special training to drain it so as not to puncture the implant. So I can't even go to anyone else! I feel like a prisoner of this doctor and I am becoming extremely worried about the seroma not going away which is like a golf ball behind my arm. Can anyone give me some advice, or is there anything I can do? Is this normal for a doctor not to see his patient after this long? I feel extremely angry and lied to. Ohilly

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  • skt48
    skt48 Member Posts: 19
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    Ohilly, I am a RN live in Ky with stage 2 breast cancer. In my area this would never happen. We have residents that practice at the hospital where I go, but they just follow the doctors never replace them. I would be asking him tomorrow whats going on, and tell him you hired him to take care of your not his PA. Hope this helps. Sheila in KY
  • That line about not wanting to see his patients suffer...That is beyond weird in my book. Frankly, I would keep some careful notes of what he says, and refuses to do. You may be able to help someone down the line. Seek other professional opinions. Sorry you have to go through this! love, Joyce
  • Boy, this guy sounds weird! I never heard of a surgeon not doing follow-up exams because he is shy about what his patients are going through--that is absurd! Then he needs to find a new profession. Also, you are right-you hired HIM not his N.P.s to care for you. If I were you I would have called his office and gave them a piece of my mind a long time ago. I would call/write your insurance company and complain. In my area you can make official written complaints against any doctor that performs in a disatisfactory manner. This dude is unprofessional in my humble opinion.
  • survivor51
    survivor51 Member Posts: 276
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    Ohilly,
    I think you should demand to see him and only him. I have never heard of such hooie, not want to see his own patient....sounds like Duck, Duck, Goose to me. Time to find another plastic surgeon and one that is close to you.
  • skt48
    skt48 Member Posts: 19
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    Let me know what you found out today from your doctor.. Hopefully we will see you personally when he hears your concerns. Thinking of you Sheila
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
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    Hi Ohilly:
    What did you resolve with the plastic surgeon today? I am so sorry that after everything you've been through you have to deal with this also. I was appalled when I read your post today. I never heard more crock of bull in my life. Your surgeon should not be a surgeon then if he can't deal with his patients after surgery. Too bad you're not near me because mine was excellent. He even called me at home the day after I came home to make sure I was all right. Let us know if you were able to see him. I would honestly have a talk with him, and complain to your insurance company and to the attorney general in your state. Love, Lili