Aftercare Issues!

VelvetKiss · August 18, 2006

I am having aftercare issues. I was banded down in San Francisco because I had to have my surgery at a center of excellence to use my medicare and I had to pay the surgeon fee's up front because my surgeon doesnt take medicare, so I paid $6,500 to the surgeon for surgery and for 1 year of aftercare and 1 year of fills. I live in southern oregon so my surgeon is about 6 hours away and his satellite office is about 2 1/2 hours away. The problem is I am 3 weeks post op and I have been trying to get in touch with him for 2 of those 3 weeks, because my port incision is infected and well I needed to have my 2 week post op check. Every time I call his office says he will call you at such and such a time and then I get no phone call, so I call the next day saying he didnt call and they say oh he has been very busy in surgery but this has gone on for 2 weeks now and he cant seem to call me. I feel like I have been left high and dry with this device in me and no real guidance. If it wasnt for LBT I would have no one. My question is what should I do about this? I am thinking of calling and asking them to refund my $1,500 that I paid for 1 year of aftercare and fills and then try to find a local surgeon who will take me on and maybe I will get some real aftercare. I am just so disappointed. I feel like he wants me to fail. Thanks for listening.

Tonya

CCBSTX · August 18, 2006

Tonya, this is VERY important! Please call them and explain that your port is infected. If they give you the typical runaround, tell them you want your money back (the $1,500) for aftercare. You are going to someone else. If they say, they'll call you back. Get angry and forceful. What's it gonna hurt?

In the meantime, line up a local person for aftercare. Look under the Oregon thread on lapbandtalk.com or Obesityhelp.com to find surgeons in your area. Go to your local doctor, if you can't get into see your regular

surgeon.

This infection is quite dangerous if left on it's own. It may work it's way to your band and cause all sorts of problems! Do this TODAY!

Let us know, how it goes.

Shawn

NaNa · August 18, 2006

Wow, your situation is deep, hopefully, it is not financial. But your doctor should treat you as an urgent patient since you have an infection. You need see him or someone asap.

Remember most folks who are able to control incisiion infections asap can keep their band, but if the infection spreads most have to have their bands removed. So this is URGENT.

Take Care

VelvetKiss · August 18, 2006

Thanks Shawn and NaNa for your advice. Yes I did see my regular GP and he said that my infection is on the surface but hasnt gone inside so that is a BIG plus! So I am on antibiotics and I am to clean the incision with peroxide and then put neosporin on it and then cover and do this for a week and then I go back and see him. So I dont believe any damage has been done to my Band. Sad part is I still have not yet heard from my surgeon. I think asking for my money back is the best way to go, I mean if I can never get a hold of him then what is the point of having him.

Thanks for your support and advice it is greatly appreciated!

Tonya

DonnaB · August 18, 2006

I think you should ask for ALL of your money back. Tell them if the surgeon doesn't contact you by noon tomorrow you're going to hire an attorney. Believe me, that'll get his attention!

It's not only ridiculous that your surgeon isn't returning your calls, it could also constitute criminal negligence on his part. Two words: hypocratic oath.

P.S. Reconstruct the dates and times of the phone calls you've already made. Any future calls you make or receive should be logged to include WHO you spoke with, WHAT TIME you or they called, HOW MUCH TIME they spent talking to you, WHAT THEY SAID. If it actually comes down to a lawsuit this information is critical. You should also keep all receipts and information you get from the doctor treating your infection and all receipts and information you get from your pharmacist. It could really become important in the future.

I'm so sorry you're having this problem. Please make sure you let us know how you're doing so we won't worry too much about you.

Best wishes.

Dody · August 18, 2006

If you were self-pay what did it matter if you had your surgery at a Center Of Excellence or not? If the doctor didn't accept Medicare why couldn't you have had the surgery anywhere? I had my surgery done at Vanderbilt which is a Center Of Excellence and they do accept Medicare. My surgery cost me $300.00 and includes 6 mo. of follow-up.

I would say you have been ripped off. This isn't right this dr. not contacting you after doing your surgery. So much for a Center Of Excellence in his case. Sorry you are going through this. It looks like you will have to find someone closer to you and pay for your fills, but I would definitely want my money back from this guy. Sue him.