Help! My surgeon just went out on leave. What should I do?

[Tanette 69]

Hello everyone I am new to this site. I have a question though. I have finished all of my requirements for the surgery besides, seeing the nutritionist next month and losing the 15lbs. I'm at a point of excitement and I'm ready to see my surgeon. The first consultation I had was with her Nurse Practitioner, however it was suppose to be with her but she wasn't in. I let that slide. Now I'm stuck again because she is out on leave. No one has returned my calls and I'm worried about getting surgery done from her because she is never around. My surgery is suppose to be done at John Hopkins Bayview Hospital in Baltimore MD. I requested to see another surgeon there and they said they would get back to me as well. It's been about 2 weeks since I spoke with my surgeons assistant and a week since I spoke with the other surgeons assistant. Would you guys suggest I go to another hospital for a different surgeon? Is this at all possible for me to do? Will I have to redo all the requirements again? Or will they be able to use the results from everything I did for the original surgeon I was going to use? I hope you all can help me with my dilemma. Thanks everyone.

[James Marusek 5,244]

A little confused here. Nurse Practitioners do not perform bariatric surgery. So how does your surgeon and hospital rate? John Hopkins is a top rated hospital, isn't it!

[LisaMergs 2,854]

I certainly can't speak directly to your situation, but I will say that having a team that is responsive to calls and I mean immediately, is very important. If you are having issues with this, I would suggest finding out who the practice administrator is and contacting them. If someone offers to "take a message", kindly inform them that you have waited long enough and would prefer that you speak immediately to that person.

I will tell you this- kill them with kindness and respect until you get to speak with the person you want. You will get much further up the chain this way. But don't take no for an answer- and then when you get to the person who can help you the most, don't get off the phone until you have the desired answers.

Your other option is to go directly to the office and ask to speak to them. . They can't exactly ignore you when you are standing there.

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[Tanette 69]

Thanks guys. That was helpful Lisa. It worries me a little that I get no answers and for me to have a major surgery that really worries me. Again I have done all of my requirements but the nutritionist . Not sure what the hold up is. It's not that easy for me to get to the office though I love about an hour from the hospital. I will try once again this week. If I don't get any answers then I will try to see another surgeon. Smh .

James, I was confused as well being as though I'm new to this they insured me that the nurse practitioner new everything I needed to know. I really however have been wanting to see the surgeon. I don't want to get all in my head like "You shouldn't be getting the surgery anyway" or "Try to lose weight on your own again"

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