Questions regarding pain

[DeLarla 22]

Darcy, I really wanted to say what Claraluz said but maybe I was being too nice for a change. The object of your letter isn't to compliment his services but to point out a major problem. I always write like a mad woman till I can't think of anything else I need to say, then I spend quite a while reducing the novel to just the facts. I also like the idea of stamping "CONFIDENTIAL" on the envelope. You could also call the doctor to let him know you're sending the letter because staff might toss it to keep out of trouble.

As far as copying Inamed, it's vital that all of us report this type of problem to Inamed. Inamed will send you a letter confirming receipt. If you don't get the confirmation, I'll give you an e-mail address where you can attach your document.

The more information Inamed has, the better care our future bandsters will receive. This band is still fairly new in medical history, so Inamed probably has mad scientists researching this type of problem as we speak. If we don't provide Inamed scientists with all the possible side effects, problems, etc., then how they gonna fix the problem?

[nightingale2u 42]

Okay... I went back and edited the original post with the letter. Does it seem... less nice???? I gotta work on this "nice" problem... hmmm... perhaps a tattoo is in order???

Darcy

[Neicy 0]

Darcy, I am very glad to hear that you are doing better. You are a pretty smart cookie to figure it out yourself. But then you were left to your own devices.

I whole heartedly agree with Lisa, that the letter is too nice. I know you are gracious, but I think their office has proven that graciousness gets you nothing. I would be pointed and direct in my complaint, and let them know that you were upset and put off.

But, that's me! I'm glad that you are writing the letter, the lack of care needs addressing.

Again, I am so happy that you are feeling better. Rock on!

[Neicy 0]

Your edited letter sounds better. Doesn't it feel good to stand up and be counted? In doing so, you've helped others. You're a good person, Darcy girl!

[DeLarla 22]

Darcy, I'm glad you took out all the nice junk. But what is your doctor's primary language? I've written to my doctor, and while his speaking English is perfect, his writing and reading skills left questions unanswered. If your doctor's primary language is Spanish, you may want to consider simplifying and shortening sentences. For example, I sent a 2 paragraph e-mail with 3 different questions, and all I got in response was a one-liner that answered the least important question. I had to simplify each question in separate e-mails to get solid responses.

In 1/2 hour I have an appoitment with my primary to have a look at my incision. I'm not sure what will happen since my insurance doesn't cover my band, but at least I'm making an effort, right?

[nightingale2u 42]

Thanks Neicy... you're pretty nice yourself! I don't feel very nice about this whole situation... I feel pretty disappointed and powerless. It puts patients in a tough situation when no other surgeon's, that are covered by insurance, will take you on because you had surgery with another doctor. I would have choices if I had a pacemaker...other cardiologists would even think twice about taking over my care. Hopefully this is something that will change once Lap Band placement becomes more standard.

Lisa my girl... I am soooooo glad you are off to see your primary MD is going to take a look at your incision! Come back and update... Please! You are right about the letter again... heck... maybe I'll just blow a gasket when I see them this Friday. I am considering asking my primary care M.D. if he would like to learn how to do fills. I wonder if there are any primary care M.D.s learning to do this???? Anyhoo... I am going to get my fill FIRST if everything is okay with the testing and THEN I'll speak my mind.

Had the upper GI this morning... gawd that chalk tastes like poo. THe radiologist said everything looked okay and I would lay bets that I just have gastritis from irritation to the stomach lining from the new MVI.

On a separate note... I had my hubby take pictures yesterday in the same outfit as when I weighed 247... sheesh... I was feeling skinnier but I swear I look the same. *sigh* THat's the trouble with gaining weight evenly... it takes longer to look heavier and it also takes longer to look thinner!

Darcy

[nightingale2u 42]

Okay... it's still long... but is this better????

Dear Dr. Chua,

I must share my concerns about the care provived by your office. I won’t rehash every experience but will just say that the situation could have been avoided if a person with medical knowledge had returned my call and taken the time to collect information on the abdominal discomfort I was having. I feel that an ER visit could have been avoided along with days of waiting by the phone.

There should be a triage person and or persons in your office to handle medical concerns that may arise after bariatric surgery. This person should be able to contact you if it is warranted.

I started having discomfort with eating and drinking on Friday August 1st. This pain continued and increased throughout the weekend but I thought it was perhaps due to irritation from starting on a regular diet. I called your office on Monday morning at approximately 9:30 am. A staff member said that Deb was in surgery but that she would page her and have her call me in between cases. I waited the ENTIRE day by the phone and finally gave up at 5:30 and called the answering service. They paged you and I gave you a brief description of the pain and you suggested I go to the ER for an xray. I told you that I had been getting fluids in and wasn’t dehydrated. I can’t help but feel that if someone would have called me back earlier in the day… the ER visit could have been avoided and tests could have been ordered as an outpatient.

Tuesday…I called your office at 9:15 as I was unsure what testing you wanted. Joanne stated that I needed an order to see the GI doctor and she would talk with Dr. Rudic and get back to me. I waited by the phone ALL DAY once again. Joanne did call me back at 5:15 only to tell me that Dr. Rudic couldn’t handle the problem and that she would talk to you the next day. I also asked her to discuss the possibility of something simple such as gastritis.

Wednesday… I talked to Joanne and she said she would page you to find out what tests were needed. I waited ALL DAY… only to be told that she was not able to get a hold of you. She stated that she would be working with you on Thursday at Sinai and would ask you then.

Thursday… Called your office and spoke to Kelly and was in tears. She assured me that Joanne was working on the problem and she would be getting back to me. I waited ALL DAY again by the phone. I finally gave up and called the office at 4:15, only to get the answering service… more tears. I then attended the support group meeting in FDL where Kathy called you and in minutes I was able to get the information I had been waiting by the phone for days to obtain. It was an awful week for me and I was left very concerned about the type of after-care I was coming to know.

Since this whole thing started... NOBODY has asked if the abdominal discomfort is better... worse... or unchanged and I honestly feel that nobody really cares one way or another.

Just as a matter of interest… the place that changes our oil just called to make sure we were happy with their service and to let us know they would welcome any suggestions for improvement. I could feel the friendly smile on the other end of the phone and in mere seconds I hung up with a smile on mine. That’s how quick and easy caring customer service can be.

Thank you for your time,

[claraluz 2]

Ok, I hope I'm not being too critical, but I have one or two additional suggestions. This is why my students cringe when they hand me their chart notes to read and approve.

You are correct that the letter is still long and I'm afraid that may mean that a lot of it won't get read. Could you perhaps summarize your long and agonizing experience with his office? Perhaps something like this: I first called your office to report severe pain with eating and drinking (it was pain, not discomfort, after all)on Monday morning at 9:30 AM. Unfortunately, even after five additional calls to your office and answering service, four days of waiting by the phone in pain all day, and one emergency room visit, I still had not received a definitive response from you or your office staff. It was only after Kathy called you from the support group meeting, that you told me what tests you felt needed to be done by the GI specialist to whom you had referred me . . .

Well, you get the idea. I do really think the first two paragraphs and the last two make your point in a direct but polite way. And I like the part about them not calling to check on you and the contrast with the oil change place. That they didn't call to check on you is inexcusable.

On the other hand, you could just scrap the whole letter and speak to Dr. Chua when you see him on Friday, but it may be easier to say it in a letter. There have been times when I've meant to complain directly to a doctor during an appointment and then chickened out.

In answer to your question about PCPs doing fills, my surgeon has teamed with an internist who works part time in his office doing fills. She has the band herself, and I think it works out very nicely.

Nancy

[DeLarla 22]

My appointment with my primary was useless. He pressed and felt my incision but didn't know what it was. He ref'd me to a surgeon but said they're booked for two months. No problem, I'll just drop dead by then, right? (Laughing!) He also ref'd me for an ultrasound of the area (another 2 month wait.)

He denied my request for a culture because he said after all my antibiotics, it's probably sterile. However, he did feel it and he thinks it will eventually go away. He did not tell me to lance or not to lance and drain (up to me and Gross Darcy, I suppose.) I am traveling to California this weekend, so I'll show it to Nurse Penni and get her opinion, which seems to be more valuable than my doctor.

I guess my doc helped me a little, but I'm disgusted with him for not acknowledging my weight loss or blood pressure. I said, "I've lost a bunch, can you look at my chart at my highest weight and blood pressure?" and he said, "no, I'll just take your word for it" with a really bland expression. My records show 313 pounds and 170/100. Today I was 268 and 104/80. What kinda bedside manner is that? And why didn't I get to pick TWO toys from the treasure chest?

[La_madam 20]

Hey Delarla

Have a great time here in California, I hope nurse Penni can look at your incision and can help you one way or another. Sorry we did not get the chance to hook up while I was in Vegas. Send me your address so I can mail you a big box of the clothes I was to give you

[nightingale2u 42]

Lisa... dag nabbit! *sigh* how frustrating is it to need medical care???? I am at a loss... (((hugs)))

Dr. Chua called tonight to tell me the results of my upper GI were normal... AND... he asked me how I am feeling??? I told him that I have been feeling better and so he wants me to cancel the EGD. He aslo said they will not do my fill this Friday because of the problems I have been having. Soooo... we shall see how far out they are booking for fills. I guess if I lose more restriction I am going to either have to control myself or shove everything I can find in my mouth... (Lisa... get that thought out of your mind).

So... no EGD... no fill... and feel much better that my Dr. called me right away and took the time to really talk to me. I have a hard time staying mad... so all is well for now.

[claraluz 2]

I'm so glad he called to check on you. That makes me feel better too! As for staying mad, there's really no percentage in it, especially since you don't have a choice of doctors. It makes sense to me that he wouldn't want to do a fill just now. Your stomach probably needs a little rest. So glad you are feeling better.

Nancy

[DeLarla 22]

Darc, regardless, you still need to report the problem to Inamed. It doesn't have to be in the form of a complaint, but you should report your discomfort. They need to know this kinda stuff to continue perfecting our little bands.

[Neicy 0]

Darcy, so glad to hear all is better.

Lisa, you are having terrible luck with doctors, ( like you couldn't tell!) That doctor sounds totally apathetic to your problem, that's horrible. Is the wound continuing to decrease in size? Did they give you any instruction or advice for wound care? I feel so bad for you.

Years ago, I had a pilonidal cyst removed from the base of my spine. It was chronicly infected. They had to keep packing it for several weeks to let it heal from the inside out. Talk about a pain in the ass! Anyhow, I hated having to go every day and bend over, have the area shaved, have gause packed etc. It was so degrading even though they were very nice. I begged for them to let it heal over, but the doctor said it was the only way to have the wound heal properly.

Your port wound is probably similar to this, deep wounds need to heal from the inside, not fun. I hope you continue to heal without further complications, my friend.

[DeLarla 22]

Neicy, I had the same "pain in my ass" when I was a teen! But they only lanced it and drained it once. I'm going to listen to you though, because my instinct tells me exactly the same thing, that I need to continue to drain the thing. I remember how painful that cyst on my spine was (spine is a nice word for buttcrack.)

Thanks for responding. The doctor did not give me any instruction other than a referral to a surgeon in two months, but in two months the area will be as swollen as a grapefruit. So I'll continue lancing and draining it. It's not that big of a deal since I only have to prick the thing, and the skin is like blister skin so it doesn't hurt that bad. But yes, it reminds me of that kind of cyst, with the hard lump underneath that keeps getting smaller... slowly, very slowly, but it is getting smaller.

Do we qualify as doctors now?