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Denied surgery consult!!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/3/2014 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'm doing much better on IVIG but wanted to go for a surgery consult....just to ask questions etc. (thanks to embers glow for giving me the courage to do this.). I called my GI & left message with secretary requesting a referral to surgeon. She told me that the surgeon would not see me because I'm doing well! I can't believe it !this is a major surgery & I'm a complicated case given PG. I'd rather not wait for my next crisis to make such a decision. Unbelievable!!
Posted 6/3/2014 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry, that sounds horrible for someone to hear that has to live a life with this disease in a flare or not. Not sure if that is because you live in CA or not, but did you tell your GI what you said here? That you would rather get the information on this surgery while you are healthy and can think clear so that when an emergency happens you are well prepared? That just sounds like you are trying to be the best patient possible for them, you would think they would encourage this not discourage you from it.
Posted 6/3/2014 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
I would contact the surgeon you want to see -
Posted 6/3/2014 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Soy. It doesn't make sense that the surgeon says you're not bad enough for a consult.

or, get YOUR doctor to call you.

q
Posted 6/3/2014 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ridiculous! You don't need your GI's permission to get a surgical consult. However, if your insurance does require a pre authorization, get your primary doctor to issue it. If that happened to me I would report the office worker to the GI for that comment. They have no right making those decisions on your behalf.

Sue
Posted 6/3/2014 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
And I will also add that for most people this surgery is elective, meaning we can opt for it at any time provided the surgeon thinks it's reasonable. It's never a decision that a GI should or could make.

Sue
Posted 6/3/2014 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't tell my GI until after the surgical consult. I just called Cleveland Clinic and scheduled it. Surgery is totally your decision and your GI should not deny you a consult.
Posted 6/3/2014 7:13 PM (GMT 0)

Indycat23 said...
I didn't tell my GI until after the surgical consult. I just called Cleveland Clinic and scheduled it. Surgery is totally your decision and your GI should not deny you a consult.

IndyCat,

Congratulations on your surgery, I know that you have been going back and forth on whether to have it for a while now. I was the same way but in the end I decided to have the surgery and I feel really good now, I know that it is the old surgical cliche` but I only wish that I had surgery sooner.
Posted 6/3/2014 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
I'm guessing that you are in Ontario Canada so it may or not be different there. I didn't need my GI to recommend surgery in order to have surgery, it was nice that he was on board with it and he recommended a great surgeon for me.

I would suggest an office visit instead of the phone call and get in front of the GI and ask the GI about a surgeon and surgery. Tell your GI why you want surgery. And who really cares what the secretary says.

I didn't have to justify the surgery to my GI but I did have to convince the surgeon that I was a good candidate for surgery but that didn't take too much, he had my medical records in front of him.
Posted 6/3/2014 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hey KS-I didn't have the surgery yet. I just went for the consult so I could ask all my questions and understand the process. I want to wait for Vedo. If Vedo does not work for me, I can be ok with doing everything possible before having the surgery.
Posted 6/3/2014 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty sure the OP said it was the surgeon who denied the consult, not the GI. Either way, it's not cool. I went in for my consult with the knowledge that AFTER meeting with me the surgeon could say she did not think I was a good surgical candidate...but not before seeing me.
Posted 6/3/2014 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Actually if I was in your position, I would be happy that my GI was not pushing for surgery. Seems to indicate that you're not in bad shape.
My GI suggested a colectomy back in 2010. I did my own "research" and "consulting", adopted several diet and supplement changes (suggested on this website) and have resisted his recommendation ever since.

In my experience, surgeons are too quick to suggest surgery. After all, it's how they make a living.
Just a thought.
IAS :-)
Posted 6/3/2014 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
That's the stupidest thing I think I have heard in a while.
A consult is to gather information, ask questions, ect. And with this disease...and given your history...you should be prepared with knowledge. And your GI's office said the surgeon wouldn't see you for a consult?? That makes no sense at all. How would your GI's office know that? My GI gave me the name of my surgeon but I had to call the surgeon's office myself and make the appt. I couldn't imagine them saying that to me!
Posted 6/4/2014 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Exactly bye bye!! All I wanted was to talk to a surgeon. I haven't decided on surgery, I just want answers to my questions & to meet him/her gage their opinion & my confidence in them. My last flare going 40 times scared me so much that I want to make an informed decision. I'm currently doing much better, formed stools 2-3 times a day. No b or m, but urgency remains an issue & frankly I feel awful.

If I was getting a nose job I'd have no probs going for a consult. This is the most ridiculous thing I've heard. I'm going to call my GI tomorrow & ask again. It's my right to get a consult as a patient of the hospital.
Posted 6/4/2014 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
Perhaps your family doctor can give you a referral. Also not that it matters but I would assume the wait time for a consult is pretty long... Ontario and all - especially if it's just questions. Still though, it would be nice to hear an opinion from the surgeon.

If you do go, make sure you actually write your questions down on paper... I've been to a consult for another surgery (lung) and forgot all the things I wanted to ask when I was there.
Posted 6/4/2014 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Can you get a referral from your GP Instead of GI? I've never heard of an insurance plan that requires a referral from a specialist. When I had an HMO, I needed a referral from my PCP. I am in the US, not Canada. My PCP didn't know much about UC but i am sure she would have given me a referral.
Posted 6/4/2014 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
I thought you need a referral from your GP not GI. GIs are traditionally against surgery. Although he shouldn't deny you that.
Sorry you are having such a hard time with your doc. You need a supportive doc with this disease.
Posted 6/4/2014 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
rbartolo, how long have you had UC? Even if you were in remission (which it sounds like you're not quite), if you've had the disease for long enough for dysplasia to be a concern it's totally reasonable to seek a surgical consult.
Posted 6/4/2014 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Where do you live and what type of insurance do you have? I called Clev Clinic without referral from my GI. I didn't really need the GI for anything. If you have a PPO, you should be able to self refer without having to consult your GP or GI.
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