Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

unbelievable doctor visit



Recommended Posts

I had my surgery in mexico. But today I went to a follow up at a bariatric surgeons office here local to me. I called ahead of time and explained my situation about my surgery in Mexico. And they said it was fine. I don't have insurance so I paid $125 cash to be seen. By the drs. PA not himself. She was in the hall and yelled out why am I seeing someone who had her surgeryin mexico. I heard someone answer because dr.coates wants to be the follow up dr for patient from mexico. She then yelled then he should see them himself then. When she came in my room I asked her if these were issues she should of taken care of herself before taking my $125 she then apologized and said she would make sure I got my moneys worth she was just thrown off by me being there so soon after my surgery and that she didn't know I had surgery in mexico'til right before she was going to walk in. I said ya I could hear that. She said they hardly do check ups with people who have had the sleeve because dr. coates just started doing them. Also she said people don't come back for follow ups because this surgery is like being on a diet and they fail. She said she wuil continue to see me for blood work and to track my weight. So anyway gus's i'm just venting. But that visit really ruined my whole day.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't you just want to prove her wrong? Lose all your weight and tell her it's not like being on a diet and that it's hard to fail? I would! It sounds as though she isn't very professional (shouting down the hallway about your particulars) and doesn't know much about VSG.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow that was bad! It doesn't sound like she even know/understand the sleeve. It isn't like a diet sure you can eat around a sleeve but early on there really is no way and you have to watch your Protein, fluids and Vitamin needs. I am sorry you went through this.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Boy, I bet she's all scared your gonna tell the Dr. on her, and I think you should, that is unprofessional to be yelling that stuff down the hall like that, they all need to be careful what they say. I bet she felt sooooo uncomfortable-that might have made my day! Now the whole, not needing follow-up/diets fail thing is weird. Maybe look for a different baratric at least tell this Dr. that her behavior messed up your day and htyat she doesn't really seem to understand the Sleeve.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

wow - isn't there someone you can report that office too???? i don't know what area you are in but maybe you can find another dr. who is more "pro sleeve".

don't let it get to you - we are all here, loosing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It was truly mind blowing. They specialize in gastric bypass. So I guess that's what she's used to. No excuse though. But I do hope I can get a hold of the dr. and let him know what happened to me there. Plus I paid $125 to hear it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That was rude, unprofessional, and uncalled for. I would definitely report this to her superior. Even when you called her on it she didn't apologize to you, then proceeded to insult your surgery choice. It is apparent that office needs to do some updating to their education.

When I was calling around my state looking for a dr who performed the sleeve, I had a nurse tell me that no they didn't do the Sleeve, when I said that I was pretty set on having the Sleeve, she replied: "it's not up to the patient which procedure they have, it's up to the dr". I said, "It's my body, not the drs, and I will live with my decsion for the rest of my life. So I will not be going with your dr. Your dr is not a skilled or trained to do the procedure that I feel comfortable with so of course he would recommend the RNY as best for me. No wonder so many folks go to Mexico! I mean of course it's the $ factor, but the attitude and patient treatment is so much better in Mexico. In my area, it's not just the drs and nurses, the office ppl have no customer service skills. On the contrary, they are rude and condescending most of the time. It's sad really.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Find someone else for your follow up, pronto. Then, write a detailed letter to the doctor, recounting your experience at his office. Copy the local AMA / professional society. Go on sites that recommend doctors, and provide honest feedback about your visit. This should not be tolerated.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sickened by your treatment. Geez, you were not there for a haircut, but professional (see that word) medical advice. Find another bariatric surgeon. Bloodwork results can be sent to anyone, anywhere in NoCal. You have a lot of options, suggest you seek someone else out. ARGH. Fightin' mad now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Please share her name here too.

Help other folks avoid this situation.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was so thrown off by it all I don't remember her name but it was the physician assistant at Dr. Coates office in Modesto, Ca. I'm hoping to see Dr. coates soon so I can explain to him what happened at that visit.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think you should get your money back also- that is a HIPPA violation- and they can face serious penalties for that.- Maybe you should suggest seeking further action if this is how they are going to treat their patients- new or not.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery in Mexico. But today I went to a follow up at a bariatric surgeons office here local to me. I called ahead of time and explained my situation about my surgery on mexico. And they said it was fine. I don't have insurance so I paid $125 cash to be seen. By the drs. PA not himself. She was in the hall and yelled out why am I seeing someone who had her surgeryin mexico. I heard someone answer because dr.coates wants to be the follow up dr for patient from mexico. She then yelled then he should see them himself then. When she came in my room I asked her if these were issues she should of taken care of herself before tagking my $125 she then apologized and said she would make sure I got my moneys worth she was just thrown off by me being there so soon after my surgery and that she didn't know I had surgery in mexico'til right before she was going to walk in. I said ya I could hear that. She said they hardly do dokie ups with people who have had the sleeve because dr. coates just started doing them. Also she said people don't come back for follow ups because this surgery is like being on a diet and they fail. She said she wuil continue to see me for blood work and to track my weight. So anyway gus's i'm just venting. But that visit really ruined my whole day.

Wow, I would head the other way really fast and find someone else a gasterologist perhaps, because this Dr. coates staff is major unprofessional! And yes, they violated HIPPAA in a big way ! This is so wrong!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Theweightisover2024🙌💪

      Question for anyone, how did you get your mind right before surgery? Like as far as eating better foods and just doing better in general? I'm having a really hard time with this. Any help is appreciated 🙏❤️
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        I had about 6 months between deciding to do surgery and getting scheduled. I came across the book The Pound of Cure by Dr. Matthew Weiner, a bariatric surgeon in Arizona, and started to implement some of the changes he recommended (and lost 13 lbs in the process without ever feeling deprived). The book is very simple, and the focus is on whole, plant based foods, but within reason. It's not an all or nothing approach, or going vegan or something, but focuses on improvement and aiming for getting it right 80-90% of the time. His suggestions are divided into 12 sections that you can tackle over time, perhaps one per month for a year if a person is just trying to improve nutrition and build good habits. They range from things like cutting out artificial sweetener or eating more beans to eating a pound of vegetables per day. I found it really effective pre-surgery and it's an eating style I will be working to get back to as I am further out from surgery and have more capacity. Small changes you can sustain will do the most for building good habits for life.

      2. Theweightisover2024🙌💪

        That sounds awesome. I'll have to check that out thanks!

    • BeanitoDiego

      I've hit a stall 9 months out. I'm not worried, though. My fitness levels continue to improve and I have nearly accomplished my pre-surgery goal of learning to scuba dive! One dive left to complete to get my PADI card 🐠
      I was able to go for a 10K/6mile hike in the mountains two days ago just for the fun of it. In the before days, I might have attempted this, but it would have taken me 7 or 8 hours to complete and I would have been exhausted and in pain for the next two days. Taking my time with breaks for snacks and water, I was finished with my wee jaunt in only 4 hours 😎 and really got to enjoy photographing some insects, fungi, and turtles.
      Just for fun last week, I ran two 5Ks in two days, something I would have never done in the past! Next goal is a 10K before the end of this month.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Teriesa

      Hi everyone, I wrote back in May about having no strength. I still get totally exhausted just walking from room to room, it’s so bad I’m using a walker with wheels of all things. I had the gastric sleeve Jan. 24th. I’m doing exactly what the programs says, except protein shakes. I have different meats and protein bars daily, including vitamins daily. I do drink my fluids as well.  I go in for IV hydration 4 days a week and feel ok just til evening.  So far as of Jan 1st I’ve dropped 76 lbs. I just want to enjoy the weight lose. Any suggestions or has anyone else gone thru this??  Doctor says just increase calorie intake, still the same. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Stone Art By SKL

      Decorative Wall Cladding & Panels | Stone Art By SKL
      Elevate your space with Stone Art By SKL's decorative wall claddings & panels. Explore premium designs for timeless elegance.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Losing my hair in clumps and still dealing with "stomach" issues from gallbladder removal surgery. On the positive side I'm doing better about meeting protein and water goals and taking my vitamins, so yay? 🤷‍♀️
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×