What if your surgeon is not listening to you!

[islandgrl47]

I met the gyn/onc recommended to me by my obgyn and did not feel comfortable from the time I walked into the office. I brought all my films, ultrasounds, reports and pelvic MRI films with me and they did not even look at them. Instead they decided they were going to do another ultrasound. Why would you need another ultrasound when you have an MRI that was only 5 days old? My other ultrasound had to be pre-approved by insurance now I'm afraid I am getting stuck with a bill for one that is not authorized they did not ask they just did and the tech was very cold. When I didn't want to walk in the hallway with just a cloth rapped around me she copped an attitude. Then when the dr came in he didnt look at any of the stuff I brought. He said the surgery had to be done immediately (I have a 10cm mixed cyst) when I told him I was unavailable until March 10th he literaly said "I don't care" When I told him I prefered one hospital location over the other he kept pushing for the other (the one he likes is a teaching hospital and alot of students will be in my surgery) I don't want students. He said the resident would be stitching me up which I did not want. He said I could not donate my own blood because there isn't enough time. I just don't have peace about this guy. Any suggestions?

[hopeshell]

I agree you should go with your gut instinct and a second opinion is always good.  But, gyn/oncs usually are the one to trust.  There are very few that overall in relation to other specialties.  So, you may not have good luck at finding another one in the time frame you need.  It would be wonderful if bedside manner was also there.  But, the skill they provide in surgery is the thing you need the most for your type of mass.  

One thing I have learned from being a cancer patient, is that the teaching hospitals are usually the best when it comes to serious and unusual conditions.  They stay updated on the latest and most recent information and usually have more experienced pathologists interpreting your condition.  I also am not a fan of the students and the whole teaching hospital experience.  But, I did have my surgery at a teaching hospital and am happy with the experience.  I had great insurance and live in a large city.  But, the teaching hospital was the best option.  I have since met others who travel from smaller cities to get the experience at the teaching hospital.  So, try to keep an open mind.  You will probably get the best care possible by going this route.  

But, most importantly, get that tumor out of there!  I don't think you should wait either until March.  You should move on it and cancel any other plans.  This takes priority.  The key in surviving ovarian cancer is removing the mass before it has spread.  Your cyst could rupture any day.  There is no way to know if it is benign or malignant without surgery.  If the gyn/onc wants to do your surgery alone...go for it!  My gyn was originally going to be part of my surgery, but they gyn/onc did it alone.  I am so thankful now that I was able to have it removed at an early stage!

[islandgrl47]

Thank you. That is what I felt led to do. After I thought about it when I spoke to my ob/gyn she said originally that she would be doing the surgery with the gyn/onc. He did not even mention her at all in the consult. I thought something is not right.

[ku111]

Yes, get a second opinion asap!  If you don't feel comfortable, then don't.  Call someone else that will do surgery at the hospital of your choice and one you will feel comfortable with having do it.  Call and tell them what is going on.  I work at a teaching hospital also but the patient always has the right to refuse students and a resident.