topic Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr. in Among Friends

Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

RinaRina — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 14:54:07 GMT

As many of you know, I had a knee replacement (TLKR) last year but, after such a bad experience in the hospital: (for those who don't know)

#1 - After calling a nurse for 1.5 hrs. - she was a no-show, and I fell in my hospital room the day after my surgery

and

#2 - My surgeon has a bad temper ...

I decided NOT to have the right knee done.

Well, "deciding" not to do the right knee is not up to me. It's up to my knee, and it wants to be replaced.

When I visited my primary care Dr. 2 months ago, she insisted that I go to the same Dr. who replaced my L knee.

Well, I've had time to "think about it", and I really don't want to do that. First of all, the surgery would be done in the same hospital. (#*LL NO, I won't go!), and the surgeon was so rude to me during my last visit, (I had a mass in my L knee & after asking him a few questions about his procedure, he became VERY annoyed), I just don't want to see him again.

Here's my problem --- My primary care Dr. was adamant. Her words .... "Do NOT go to another Dr.. Any surgeon can look up what happened in the hospital and you may have already been branded a "difficult" patient. No Dr. wants to work with a difficult patient."

I can't wait any longer. My knee is getting wacky.

It's time for me to go to another Dr.

If he asks me why I'm not going to the same Dr. who did my L knee, should I tell him the truth?

(I don't like the hospital** and I'm uncomfortable w/ the oiriginal surgeon.)

I want to be diplomatic and positive ....

** BTW, when I originally posted the hospital incident last year, someone on this board KNEW which hospital it was eventho' I did not specify. THAT is how bad this hospital is. It's got a bad reputation.

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

qualitygal — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 15:03:14 GMT

I hope someone has a good answer for you on that. I would think you should be able to go to who you want. I'm wondering about insurance though. Hope someone can help you on this. That must be very hard.

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

ASTP — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 15:06:06 GMT

Yes, be up front and it's your right to seek other doctors and the hospitals they go to. I had RKR several years ago and for hospital, doctors, nurses and an inpatient rehab hospital, I had a great experience and that's what helps you get through. This is a big operation and you need to be comfortable. I hope this helps.

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

muttmom — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 15:06:25 GMT

Your knee, your choice. I do not think most doctors ask why you've chosen to change doctors or hospitals. If the new one did, personal reasons is a sufficient answer.

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

RinaRina — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 15:12:08 GMT

@qualitygal wrote:
I hope someone has a good answer for you on that. I would think you should be able to go to who you want. I'm wondering about insurance though. Hope someone can help you on this. That must be very hard.

======

You'd think so. But like my Primary care Dr. said, they all know each other -- and they all talk to each other. Back in the "old days" this was not a problem when each hospital was a private entity. Now, they're all under the same "corporate" umbrella, so all my info is accessible by anyone.

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

RinaRina — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 15:13:58 GMT

@muttmom wrote:
Your knee, your choice. I do not think most doctors ask why you've chosen to change doctors or hospitals. If the new one did, personal reasons is a sufficient answer.

"Personal reasons" ... excellent!

Thank you!

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

Vivian — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 15:36:12 GMT

You have every right to choose the surgeon and the hospital for this serious procedure. It's major surgery and your primary care physician is not acting appropriately or even professionally. Her first priority is caring for her patient...you...not her colleague. You don't owe her an explanation. Choose the surgeon and hospital you want and if she asks why you switched you can reply any way you like. Good luck!

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

Kim-QVC — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 15:53:46 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC because it is inappropriate.

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

jaxs mom — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 15:56:54 GMT

Your PCP doesn't have the final say which orthopedic surgeon does your knee replacement.

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

Shop Till you Drop — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 16:01:07 GMT

You better believe you should find another surgeon! Very important to have a Dr. that is the best for you!! Your Your primary Dr has no business telling you what to do in this situation, and giving horrible advise at that, Best of luck to you!

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

Peaches McPhee — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 16:07:09 GMT

There is not enough in your story for you to be listed as a "bad patient".

You fell out of bed - that is on the hospital, not on you.

You asked questions of your surgeon - not an issue.

Even if the new doctor/hospital looks up your record, there won't be anything there that labels you. Your PCP is out of line.

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

Carmie — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 16:51:35 GMT

My take on this is... you as a patient, employ a doctor and other health providers to take care of your medical needs. They are getting paid and not doing you a favor.

As with any employer, if your employee is not doing their job correctly or you are not happy with anything, you are free to fire them and hire someone else.

Health care professionals are not gods or superior human beings. They are like everyone else. Some are wonderful, some are not. It is very important for a patient to trust the doctor and the hospital who will provide care.

Your PCP is not acting in a professional manner. If she feels your prior surgeon to be superior in his work to other surgeons, she should say so. Telling you that you are probably on a "list" of difficult patients is wrong and it is wrong that a list even exists. What doctor has time to look up a patient's hospital records and read everything in detail? They are only interested in the surgeons notes and any medical problems that existed.

That said, sometimes we have to suck it up and just do what is best. If this surgeon is the best, don't cut off your nose to spite your face. You deserve the best. Sometimes we have to ignore the parts of people that are unpleasant. Not all physicians have a wonderful bedside manner.

You should never have to wait 1.5 hours to get help when you call. That was wrong. you should have never gotten out of bed by yourself either. Next time, just wet or soil yourself.... hopefully, there will not be a next time. A complaint to the head nurse was in order. I can tell you that complaints are taken seriously and they are monitored by the state. All falls must be reported too by law.

If you do go to another doctor and he asks why you are not going back to the the first surgeon, tread lightly.

Don't make any claims about doctor #1's bad bedside manners to doctor #2.

Best of luck to you,

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

chrystaltree — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 16:58:45 GMT

Good grief, you Pcp is not the BOSS of you. She cannot tell you what surgeon to go to. It doesn't work that way. You have EXCELLENT reasons for wanting to go to a different surgeon. Obviously, she funnels patients to that particular surgeon. You do not have to go along with that scheme. You have stand up for yourself with her but if you cannot do that, you should change Pcp's....she's not very ethical anyway....and have that doctor refer you to surgeon. That's if you need a referral. If your insurer does not require a referral, you can make an appointment yourself with any orthopedic surgeon who specializes in knee replacements. If you do Google search, you can find them. Or, you can make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist or a rheumatologist and have that doctor refer you to a surgeon. The one you are seeing is protecting the surgeon and the income of the surgeon who served you so poorly. Shame on her!

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

1jenniferjuniper — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 17:19:03 GMT

@RinaRina wrote:
As many of you know, I had a knee replacement (TLKR) last year but, after such a bad experience in the hospital: (for those who don't know)
#1 - After calling a nurse for 1.5 hrs. - she was a no-show, and I fell in my hospital room the day after my surgery
and
#2 - My surgeon has a bad temper ...

I decided NOT to have the right knee done.

Well, "deciding" not to do the right knee is not up to me. It's up to my knee, and it wants to be replaced.

When I visited my primary care Dr. 2 months ago, she insisted that I go to the same Dr. who replaced my L knee.
Well, I've had time to "think about it", and I really don't want to do that. First of all, the surgery would be done in the same hospital. (#*LL NO, I won't go!), and the surgeon was so rude to me during my last visit, (I had a mass in my L knee & after asking him a few questions about his procedure, he became VERY annoyed), I just don't want to see him again.

Here's my problem --- My primary care Dr. was adamant. Her words .... "Do NOT go to another Dr.. Any surgeon can look up what happened in the hospital and you may have already been branded a "difficult" patient. No Dr. wants to work with a difficult patient."

I can't wait any longer. My knee is getting wacky.
It's time for me to go to another Dr.
If he asks me why I'm not going to the same Dr. who did my L knee, should I tell him the truth?
(I don't like the hospital** and I'm uncomfortable w/ the oiriginal surgeon.)
I want to be diplomatic and positive ....

** BTW, when I originally posted the hospital incident last year, someone on this board KNEW which hospital it was eventho' I did not specify. THAT is how bad this hospital is. It's got a bad reputation.

In addition to a new ortho I would find a new PCP!

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

sassenach1 — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 18:06:46 GMT

Totally agree that you should have a new surgeon, hospital, and a new PCP. Your PCP is out of line on this. Leave this group/entity.

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

RedTop — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 19:28:02 GMT

I myself am hoping to have my second knee replacement surgery in the next 4-5 months. I will be having it done in the same facility, and by the same surgeon as with my first procedure. I have no hesitation or reservation with either. I had an awesome experience the first time and will do my best to repeat it.

I am truly sorry you have this dilemma, but in all honesty, I remember your posts about the incident very well. I did not agree with how you chose to handle your issues, and remember giving you suggestions on the proper channels to follow to file a complaint. It would not surprise me if you were labeled a bad patient after that admission.

Hospitals have protocol in place for patients who are at risk for falls. There are signs posted in patient rooms advising patients to never get out of bed without assistance. I know this because I printed the signs in the facility where I worked, and ordered the proper colored fall risk bracelets for the patients. This is a state required compliance, not just a hospital thing. As I remember, your fall was due to overextending your reach for an item on your table, bedrails were down, and you fell out of bed.

I would not look forward to further treatment by a physician I had an issue with in the past. However, if I knew I played a big part in that issue, I would own up to it, consult him again, and try to be a better patient the second time around!

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

hckynut — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:05:10 GMT

@RinaRina

I pick my own doctors, including my Primary Care Physician. Fortunately I have direct family members that are doctors, and numerous good friends also. One friend is a Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon that specializes in Hip and Knee Repair and Replacement. Another, is in the same field, but his practice specialty is with our state name Spinal Hospital.

Of course I have no clue who is your Medical Insurer, so I can only tell you what I do, and have done, when I run into a doctor that does not meet MY standards. That being, I tell them to their face, and find a doctor that listens to my experience gained knowledge of my body. I am my body's Primary Care Advocate, and I let each doctor know that upfront.

hckynut(john)

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

Kachina624 — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:17:37 GMT

@RinaRina Why would your PCP even tell you that you must use the same surgeon again? Are the in the same medical group? Did she give you a reason?

The ortho who did my TKR retired about a year after my surgery but I have another selected if I decide to have the other knee done.

I had gallbladder surgery done years ago by a really arrogant AH. I'd never go back to him.

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

abbeythe 8th — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:33:14 GMT

@RinaRina

I see no dilemma. There is no reason for you to return to a surgeon or hospital you did not find satisfactory.

Unless you need a referral and your insurance limits your choices, you, not your PCP, can choice your surgeon.

Re: Knee Replacement Dilemma-Need Another Dr.

jaxs mom — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 01:50:51 GMT

I'd do my own research and then request the referral to the specific surgeon you want. That is if a referral is required by your insurance to see a specialist. Otherwise I'd just make the appointment myself.