Do i have the right to pick my own surgeon?

Question

You idiots that comment just to get points please stop. This is seriouse. You dumb ***'s.
I have a herniated disk on l5-s1 and more. But they are only conserned about how it is on my nerves. I am in pain even though on oxycodone. I had one surgeons office call after my referral that was really rude! For real. So i told my doc.They got me to another doc, but she wont operate cause i had a glass of whine to ease my nerves before and lied cause she smelled it. So my personal doc is mad, but i need to walk again! without these pills. What do i do. And my own doc. treated me like **** cause i refused the first surgeon, and now i messed up. What do i do? I am in pain. I messed up with the 2nd doc, but what is wrong with me refusung the first? And i was not all impressed with the 2nd surgeon either. Why can't i pick who i put my life in their care, or can i? They make me feel like it is me.Like the last doc. wont give more than vicodin es in recovery. GEE. i been there and it hurt. help?

Answer 1

I dunno, but next time don't disobey doctor's orders and drink wine before a surgical procedure. The presence of the wine in your stomach makes administration of general anasthesia far too dangerous. You probably didn't make any friends lying about it as well. Sort of makes it hard for them to trust you from now on...

Start by apologizing. There isn't necessarily anything wrong with refusing a given surgeon - but keep in mind unless you are medically trained, you truly don't have any idea who is best for you. The friendliest doctor might be relatively incompetent.

Also, keep in mind that when a doctor's office calls you, or you call them, there might be a good reason they are rude that you aren't aware of. Maybe the receptionist found out this morning that her husband has been cheating on her. Not that it is an excuse, but it is an explanation - and may have nothig to do with the surgeon's proficiency.

In America, for some insane reason, we worship those with 'attitude.' But here is a prime example of when taking professional advice rather than doing what you want would have been a better course.

Seriously - apologize for disobeying and lying, and try to get your second surgeon back. Admit you were wrong - it might be hard, but it will hurt less than your herniated disk will for the rest of your life...

Answer 2

On picking a surgeon, sometimes it's up to the insurance company and even the hospital. The surgeon has to have agreements with them in order to get paid. Now you have further restricted your choices by alienating some of them.

Are you aware that most of us have surgery without even bothering to ask what drug will be given in recovery? You need to get treatment for your drug and alcohol addiction because you don't know anymore what's pain and what's addiction.

I'm sympathetic to a point, my autistic son was "fired" by a pediatrician when he was 6 because the office nurse thought he shouldn't need incontinence suuplies. But at this point, it doesn't matter how or why you got addicted. The treatment is the same.

Answer 3

I had the same thing....I wound up getting a partial lamonectomy and now I am fine. First of all. NEVER drink when going to the doctors office...I know the pain and dealth with it, you can too! A doctor can refuse to treat if you are rude to them and to be quite honest, you need to see a neurosurgeon. Unfortunately, they, I find are the most egotistical doctors, but they are probably the smartest...so swallow you pride and bite your toungue...BE NICE. Check over your insurance...do you have a PPO? If you do, check to see if you can REALLY go out of network, if you can, your insurance may pay a percentage of the surgery, if not and you don't like the doctors that are being referred to you, do your own research and pay cash, but shop around...you would be surprised when you mention cash upfront the discount you can get...I highly recommend getting the book "Healthcare for LEss" by Michelle Katz....go to her website at www.healthcareforless.us and click "buy a book"..it will take you right to the amazon website of the reviews of her book which is only about $12...it is worth it and will go through this whole process with you...I think she had the same problem we did but had no insurance and got through it with minimal bills!!!!! I got through mine with insurance....I paid NOTHING...so it is possible...just become friends with your doctor and let them know what pain you are in...they will help you...just find a doctor that you get along with....they will become your advocate and be sure you get through it OK:)

Answer 4

Slow down dude. Your in the medical mine field of pain management and they are quick to label you an addict. Depending on your insurance, if you have to have a referral from your primary doctor then you can get as many as you want from him. It's your body and you have the right to choose. There is a law called HIPPA which protects you medical records from being shared with anyone only you sign a medical release form. When you present to the new surgeon you want to interview, do not mention negative past encounters with the other doctors. Start fresh and simply state he/she was referred to you by your primary doctor. Do not be a fool and show up with alcohol on your breath. I can't imagine the pain your in but I know it must be high on the scale to be on prescription Oxycotins! Be more profession with your health care providers and they will treat you with the respect you deserve. You have rights but don't abuse them or your primary care doctor will fire you.

Answer 5

You do have the right to chose your surgeon. You do not have the right to lie to doctors and jerk them around. They ask you specific questions so that they do not injure you during a surgery.

Ask your original doctor for a referral to another doctor and then be straight with that doctor. If they perform surgery on you and it works, you shouldnt need any pain medications. However, you will need help weaning off of the Oxycodone. So ask your original doctor how you can prepare for this ahead of your surgery. Then have someone in your family or a friend help you after the surgery to rid yourself of this addicitive drug.

Answer 6

Sure you can pick your own surgeon as long as you or your insurance company is going to pay him. Perhaps drinking wine and taking meds simultaneously has something to do with the way you are being treated. Wine causes more pain than it cures!