Not good news!

Linda,

I am so sorry that your going through this.  I would just be insistent and persistent because I wouldn't want to wait that long either. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Gina

I don't know what is wrong with Dr. Chin's office but the first I would say, is I think you should get me in, because something is wrong with the surgery he performed on me and according to the gastro guy there is problem.  I mean come on Dr.Chin didn't do something correct on you, or your body did something wrong, but in the end, he is responsible. So I would be in his office on Tuesday when he is supposed to be there, and demand to see him.  Please don't let having surgery again scare you, if I can do it, you can.  I didn't like it much either, but it was a necessity!

I hope you get better soon, sorry this is not going well for you


Diane

Thank you Diane,

Your right.  If another surgery is going to get me better, than of course I will do it.  And yes, I am planning on visiting Dr. Chins office Tuesday.  Im tired of being put off like I'm not that important.


Linda

I really think puking in Chin's office is a really good idea too, then make them clean it up.  Sometime being aggressive is the only way to get things done and I am so sorry that you are having to go through that.  I also wonder when they stretched you the first time, he didn't notice then that there was a problem with it being off to the side.  Sometimes being a biatch gets alot more things done then being nice, especially when it comes to your health.

You can take me along with you, I promise you something will happen!!!

Hugs, Diane

Linda, that's the worst customer service from a dr's office I've heard in a while.  How dare they treat you like that.  I'd be so furious and I freakin' love Magnificent MoMo's idea!!! 

What jerks!!  Grrrrr!   Get mad girl!  xo  Kim P.S. Sounds like you need some sort of patient advocate if possible.  Can your PCP assist?  Just throwing ideas out there!  xo

Hi I'm Vera

I considering surgery and wanted to read this post,, this is very very scary for me to hear that something like this could actually happen..
I don't know what a stretch is?
Do you regret having surgery? I have to know.
I just have to know do you wish yuou did the lapband instead or no surgery?

I want to loose weight but not at the cost of being sick all the time or endlessly on a liquid diet?

Thanks Vera

Hi Vera,

NO I absolutely do not regret having the surgery.  I know I am going thru some yucky stuff, but I would have done it all over again.  I know the problem can be fixed.  I did all of my research and knew about most of the complications.  This one (I admit) threw me a curve ball. 

I have lost over 70 lbs, I am no longer a diabetic, my blood pressure is under control for the first time in almost 10 years.  I work out at the gym 5 days a week, 

I know I made the right choice and don't regret it. 

I just have to be optimistic that the problem will be fixed.  Being stretched is a simple procedure.  I had too much scar tissue form after the surgery and the opening to my stomach was too small which wasn't allowing solid food to go down. So the doctor uses an endoscope to go down my throat to stretch the opening.  I am under sedation. and it does not hurt at all.  (thats called a stricture) and happens in about 10% of cases.

Do your research.  complications are rare, but like I said, I would do it again.

Linda

Hi Linda,

Sorry to hear you're having problems... keep your *****sorry couldn't resist) up.

I had my surgery through the same group (different surgeon). Luckily, I had no post-op issues/problems. I'm not sure if this could be your experience or not... but, based on my experience and in my opinion... the problem is the PA's. In fact I stopped going for post-op visits (my primary care doc does my blood work yearly) after a year because I was tired of dealing with them (at my 1-year post-op one of the PA told me I was going to fail because I didn't wait 10-minutes between bites... "hello" - I've yet to meet anyone that does... and I had lost over 110 lbs at that time) - but, I digress... insist on seeing a surgeon, not a PA.

As for your Gastroenterologist... I used Dr. Dilberto for my EGD. He was recommended by that group. I found he, and his staff to be very patient friendly.

Good luck to you...

- Patty

Linda,

I am so sorry to hear about all of this.  Years ago I worked for a Dr.  and what I found out if that front office staff is very minimally trained, paid lousey and the benefits are the same.  That being said, they are the gatekeepers to the Dr.  I would tell them that you want an appointment on Tuesday OR do what Maureen and others said and show up there and tell them you will wait to see Dr. Chin.  I would find out what his office hours are and be there at the start.  DO NOT let them tell you they will work you in with a Physician's Assistant (PA).  You may have to be persistant but stand your ground and let them know you need to see him before the holiday, because trust me, he and his staff will be taking a 4 day holiday.

Remember this as well, never be intimidated by a physician, they are just people with many years of schooling.  While the doc I worked for was brilliant medically, he missed the boat when common sense was handed out.  They don't always get educated in business management and it shows in their staff.  On the flip side, I also have my own physicians who value training their staffs and do a good job to keep them and boy it sure makes a difference.

Gang in there and go for the gusto on Tuesday.  One other thing, I would call his answering service to see if by chance he might be on call this weekend.  If you leave a message, you would talk to him directly, not his staff.  Tricks of the trade.

Good luck,

Barb

Wow is all I can say Linda and do pray that someone does something for you really soon! Take all the good advise everyone gave you here....go barf in the office is the best!