Anytime you opt for elective surgery, as a patient you have the right to ask the surgeon questions. This information was disclosed in her personal intake forms.
I took off of work to see this doctor as she was recommended by a dear friend. She spent some time explaining the different types and risks. Then she examined me. I had a little difficulty understanding her because her face didn’t move.
She examined me and we reviewed what implant and procedure would be best. I was starting to really trust her background and input. I started to ask her questions about the surgery, such as where the incision would be, and if it would affect certain muscles (like shoulder, ribs, and back muscles). She from the very beginning took an approach that I was dealing with anxiety and not ready for the surgery.
I’ve been ready for two years. I just didn’t have the financial means. I finally have the opportunity to do it and this doctor was turned off and uncomfortable by my asking questions. She spent 3 hours of my time, to later have her secretary tell me she doesn’t think my questions were appropriate for surgery. I found this very unprofessional. The questions I asked were in regards to where my incisions would be. She took this as me being overly anxious with deeply rooted issues. I attempted to explain to her I have thought this out for a while, and made the mistake of sharing with others who have told me horror stories.
Instead of making me feel comfortable, she made me feel like there was something wrong with me asking her questions. Undergoing an elective surgery for cash warrants the patient the right to ask questions. These questions should not make a talented surgeon uncomfortable—which is clearly the case for this doctor.
She shared multiple times that she’s operated on more educated individuals such as myself (I’m a doctor of physical therapy) but more qualified and “more educated†people like surgeons don’t ask the questions I asked (regarding healing and incision sites). She was very condescending, and “concerned†and clearly intimidated by me asking simple questions.
This is alarming for a doctor who is a plastic surgeon. Their job is to make a patient feel comfortable. I left in tears because she didn’t even have the respect or professional business acumen to state she doesn’t want to perform my surgery. As a result, she not only made me feel worse than when I walked in, she made me feel bad for asking her questions. Which her job is, to answer questions to make a patient feel comfortable.
I am really disappointed by the level of professionalism this surgeon displayed. Anyone confident in their skills, would not be threatened by questions. Anyone that also respects others time, doesn’t waste 3 hours to later have their secretary tell them “yeah sorry you’re not an appropriate candidate.â€