Getting closer to the finish line, nervous about my assigned surgeon. Should I see if I can switch?

[lussa 21]

I have my final psych appt in 2 weeks. After, I’ll be set to have a first meeting with my surgeon. I did some research on her and she’s relatively new - she’s been practicing for 6 years. Another thing, she has very few ratings. Two of three of them are poor, one was excellent, and they were all from this year. Bad reviews spoke of complications, her bedside manner is awful, the positive spoke highly of her patience and listening. The funny thing? She was a lead researcher in how patient ratings predict outcomes.

So I’m nervous now. One of her colleagues has about 50 reviews that are largely positive and she was what originally drew me to that clinic, an hour away. She’s also had bariatric surgery herself. Prior to meeting the surgeon and submitting to insurance would be the best time to make a switch. I originally got this surgeon bc I had a recent endoscopy and that’s all this surgeon required and the other surgeons required more.

I feel like I should give her a chance but that review about having complications bc she was careless has me frazzled. I know any surgery can have them but my mom and I are already nervous enough.

[Hop_Scotch 1,627]

Because a review said she was careless doesn't mean she actually was. Were the reviews anonymous? Remember a lot of people with positive experiences often don't leave reviews. I had the best experience with my surgeon but for privacy reasons did not leave a review, I don't do anonymous reviews as they are meaningless to me....could be true, could be made up...etc.

It is up to you whether you change surgeon but I think you have lost confidence with her now because of the reviews/lack of positive reviews.

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

if I'm being 100% honest, I think I'd personally swap surgeons if at all possible.

[vikingbeast 985]

Here's the thing. Surgeons RARELY have good bedside manner. They're skilled technicians. But they tend to have pretty bad people skills. But ultimately YOUR comfort is your choice—so if you feel nervous, switch surgeons!

Edited November 30, 2021 by vikingbeast

[Arabesque 6,502]

May be have that first appointment & see how you feel. As others have said bad reviews don’t necessarily mean a bad surgeon. Could be just a personality clash. We felt a physician who cared for my dad was appalling (rude, uncaring, abrupt, never took time to speak to him or us about his status) but others love him. If after your first appointment you don’t feel confident & comfortable with your surgeon, find another one.

[huskymama 149]

I picked my surgeon because of his reviews 5/5 and he is also a GI Dr as well as a colon cancer Dr. He has amazing bedside manners and when he did my endoscopy I was just coming out from being under and I asked him if he saw any little green men in my tummy (I was groggy still) he laughed and teased me back and grabbed my toes. My husband said he was very kind in explaining to him everything so I take reviews very seriously. Check and see if you can find reviews on more than one place otherwise if your gut says change Drs I’d change

[catwoman7 10,881]

like some others, I wouldn't worry too much about the bedside manner reviews. Surgeons jobs are to cut. After they're done, you'll likely be dealing with other clinic staff for your follow-up appts (dietitian, likely a PA or ANP, etc). It's hard to say whether the complications comments are due to her skill or would have happened anyway.