I had an appointment set up for this morning-it has been set for 2 weeks. I called prior to talk to my nurse-who is never any help on the phone. Anyway, the appt was for 10:15. I get there right on time, they take me back immediately. I had my 1 year old with me. Tick, tick, tick... 11:45 rolls around and no one had even attempted to tell me what was going on-no doctor, no nurse. My daughter had a half day at school so I had to go. I packed up our stuff and went to the lobby (i couldn't find anyone back near the examining rooms). A nurse was standing by the desk and I said "Hey, I am sorry, but I can't wait anymore." She just stared at me. I said "I have to go, but I have been waiting an hour and a half. I have to go get my daughter." The nurse LAUGHED in my face, rolled her eyes, took my file and turned her back on me. No one said "Hey, let's reschedule" or "I'm Sorry!" Nothing. I just turned around and walked out. I had tears in my eyes (I know, I am a baby-but I REALLY wanted to see the doctor today. I have a lot of questions.). I left and I thought "Oh, they will call me. They know my number."

Do you think one person has called me today? No. I feel like they don't care at all! This was a huge procedure and I guess I was hoping for a little sympathy and caring. Nope. If you remember, I wasn't too happy with him after the surgery, but he redeemed himself with me. I guess I need to just follow up with my GP because I am so tired of this. :001_smile:

excitedtoloose=sorry you are going through this with your surgeon. he sounds like a real jerk face!! that office staff should have been respectfull to you. i would diffinitely go to the office manager and try to go to the hospital that supports him with your complaints also. they need to know how his office staff is treating their patients. hope you get to feeling better. keep us up to date on your progress with office jerks!!

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate all the kind words.

My PCP sees 5 patients same day if you call at 8:30 am. I am going to attempt to get in tomorrow. My anxiety is so high because of all this. I also feel like i am just waiting for it to hurt. Ugh.

You poor thing. I think this brings up a really important point--how key office staff is in any relationship with ANY doctor, but especially something as crucial and big as this surgery and aftercare. I have had some great doctors who had awful office staff, and vice versa and I was/am willing to give up a lot of quality in a doctor for a staff that runs things smoothly. Not that anyone should accept less that the best for their surgeon! However, office staff are the gatekeepers, and they're a lot harder to research than doctors or surgeons. I don't know if it's against forum rules, but if I were in your area I'd certainly want to know the name of your surgeon so I could avoid his office--and it wouldn't hurt if you ever DO see him again to mention that you brought up the problems you've had on a national message board that people like ME use to research our future surgeons!

As your write the letters and copy them to various people, you should also make an extra copy for whatever institution it is that deems someplace a "Center of Excellence," and send it all to them too, with a cover letter summarizing everything. And copy THAT letter to the surgeon's office as well, so they know... 'cause that place sure as hell is not "excellent," and they need a SERIOUS reality check.

Just to add another note for putting your complaint out there for the public. When you go online for a phone number, yellow or white pages, sometimes they have a place to rate this doctor. Its worth it to get the info out there for the public. The office staff needs to have some consequences for their poor treatment of you.

Wow this sounds so socialized medicine! and it's not even here yet. . . cross your fingers it never does. . .been there done that. . . don't want it. . . anyhow bless your heart! I'm so sorry this is happening to you . . . that is sooooo major rude, maybe you need to turn rude yourself. . . next time you call get a bit over bearing, when you get in there and have to wait, demand to know whats going on? When will you see the doctor? Do they realize what time it is? Stomp, huff and puff, do like the ultimate rich do, they rage and scream and carry on til they get their way. . . you go girl, be a demanding . . . . . . for once in your life. . .no more Ms nice lady. . . try it you might like it! it works for me. . . hehehehehe

Your surgeon is not ethical and the staff he hires are a reflection of who he is. It's disturbing to know that there are people like that in such positions. I think that he should be held accountable and I hope you can document all that has happened. You may have a lawsuit against him and with good reason. If you do see him again I would be sure to document everything and if possible take another adult with you to be present with you at all times. I did that nearly every visit to my surgeon. It's like having a witness. When I complained to my surgeon early out about how little soft food I was able to eat without feeling pain, over the phone he said he'd have his secretary set up an endoscopy. I received a call that day with an appointment for the following Tuesday. Your on track though by consulting outside of this guy since you need to get the right help. I hope you get a good bariatric weight loss surgeon to take over for your after care, if not perhaps you can get a good GI specialist to take you on. I wish you all the best and will be praying for you too.

May I ask who is your surgeon?

Dr Stephan Myers of Columbus, Ohio.

I will update later, but he certainly didn't redeem himself today. He DID call, but he waited until 3 pm. I didn't even answer. I have already seen my GP and he was able to help me out. I will update later. The baby just got up from his nap so I have to run!

I'm looking forward to your update...in any event I hope your feeling better.

So here is the story...

No one called yesterday afternoon, so I got up this morning and called as soon as my GP's office opened. They said I could come in at 9:45. I was seen within 15 minutes. :thumbup1: My doctor seems to feel pretty confident that he will be able to do all follow up with me. He said the only reason we would really need to call back my surgeon is if I had a leak or other major complication. He prescribed a medicine that helps with the cramping-he really doesn't feel there is a problem with my sleeve-he just thought this was part of the healing process. He also told me to back up to full liquids for a few days and then do mushies again. He just thinks my body isn't ready yet. I took the medicine tonight and i have had no cramps at all. Still having some diarrhea, but not NEARLY as painful.

So around 3 my surgeon called me and I didn't get to the phone on time. I listened to his message and he just said "Hey, just seeing if you are feeling better. Call me if you need me." Well, I don't need him so I didn't call him. I can't decide if I will ever call him back. He has about $700 of mine that I haven't used in nut appointments and other parts of my program fee. (Membership to a gym for 6 months-I won't use it because we just joined Lifetime and I love it) I am going to request that he refunds that money to me. I hope that he does, but honestly at this point I want to feel better and my GP is helping me with that. If I lose the $700, I will be pissed, but at least I will feel taken care of.

I'm so glad you got into your GP. I hope everything goes smoothly for you here on out. I didn't get to the post office today so I'll run by there on Monday and get out those probiotics to you.