Uncomfortable with surgeon...any advice?

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#1 Post by **switchblades** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:12 pm

So, I went in for another adjustment (my 3rd for my uppers, 1st for my lowers) and my ortho told me he thinks my teeth have moved enough already to get me in for my consult with an oral surgeon. As some of you may recall, when I first spoke to my ortho about surgery he intended to set me up with the same surgeon who removed my wisdom teeth years ago. Dr. C. Now, my wisdom teeth surgery was a mess...my appointment was moved from noon to 6pm and I wasn't told, because Dr. C had a patient cancel on him and decided to call in 4 or 5 others from later in the week, and all of them showed up. I was told I couldn't even have a glass of water from 8pm the night before, and was severely dehydrated going into surgery and had a reaction to the anaesthetic as a result. I woke up with an oxygen mask on because I'd stopped breathing. He also did a shoddy job of stitching up my incisions, and I have scar tissue in the FRONT of my mouth - from wisdon teeth extractions. I wasn't given any instructions for care after I got my extractions, and my mother was never informed of the complications (I was 14 when I had the surgery). I ended up on antibiotics for 2 months for severe infection.

I expressed this discomfort with my ortho, and told him if it came down to having to go under the knife with Dr. C. I would simply not get the surgery done. I feel that Dr. C. acted very unprofessionally, and would describe the experience overall as having some degree of negative effect. My ortho said he would find me another surgeon.

After doing some research, however, I've come to discover that Dr. C. specializes in exactly what I need done, and none of the other surgeons at the firm do - one is specialized in cleft palate and sinus surgeries, one in rhinoplasty, etc., but Dr. C. seems to be THE go-to guy for orthognathic surgery. Now I'm wondering if I should just try to get past what happened before, or if I should really insist on another surgeon. I get a sick feeling in my gut at the thought of having another surgery done by him, but if he's the best of the best, am I selling myself short by trusting someone else?

#2 Post by **FuzzyPants** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:17 pm

It's too bad that you had a bad experience with this surgeon in the past. However, if he is the best in your area for orthognathic surgery, then you should go to your consultation. You don't have to commit to him just yet. Ask him a lot of questions about your surgery, post-op care, etc to assess whether you can trust him again. Good luck!

#3 Post by **switchblades** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:36 pm

I haven't had my consult set in stone yet, but my ortho has noted my issues with the surgeon in question and is requesting my surgery be done by someone else. Would it be wise, then, to ask if Dr. C. agrees with the course of action taken by the other surgeon?

I am just starting to make myself sick with all of this, now that it's coming down to the time. I know I am not comfortable going under the knife with someone who has caused me grief with a previous surgery, but at the same time, I don't want to have someone who isn't experienced cutting up my jaw!

#4 Post by **Thathrill** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:02 pm

well if it were me, I would pick someone that I am comfortable with. remember this is your body. it is bad that you had previous bad experience but its like the old saying...Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

#5 Post by **changes09** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:22 am

I say go with your gut feeling. I would not want to go with a doc that freaks you out and makes you sick just thinking about getting another susrgery done by him.

Good luck

#6 Post by **switchblades** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:21 pm

Thanks for the input, you all pretty much affirmed what I was thinking. My mother is dead against me getting the surgery altogether, so my #1 go-to for advice isn't helpful this time, especially since she probably would have murdered the surgeon when she found out (from me, who was told by a nurse whilst really drugged up) had he been in the room! I figure, my quality of life will be improved later, and it will likely reduce or eliminate the migraines and grinding, which will in turn help save my teeth.

#7 Post by **Braceschris** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:47 pm

I think you need to go with your gut like everyone else has said. I would get several options etc. If you say that this doctor is the only one who does it I would see what he has to say and then compare it to what the other doctors have to say. I would take it one step at a time and ask all the questions you need. Just make a notebook and take it along with you.

Chris

#8 Post by **anotherbraceface** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:37 pm

try looking him up at http://www.ratemds.com/ -- check put other peoples experiences before you make a decision.

#9 Post by **phil** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 6:23 am

switchblades,

Go with your gut, is my advice. I would not have anyone whose skill is in question working on my body. That is just asking for trouble.

There are ALWAYS other options available. See what you can do to explore them.

All the best!

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

#10 Post by **JennX** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:08 am

Definitely do not go with someone who makes you this anxious prior to surgery. I switched surgeons at pretty much the last minute. I went to see surgeon #2 on the advice of a friend who had had the procedure, because he was aghast when I told him how rude and unengaged my current surgeon was acting. After my first consult with surgeon #2, I couldn't believe what I had been putting up with all that time. It made me realize that medical care is like a lot of other transactions-- YOU are the customer. I know it can feel like the doctor is the authority figure and you may feel somewhat pressured to go along with what they are doing and to assume that they must be right, but you'll never know what a different experience might be like unless you shop around. I cannot tell you how glad I am that I did. Good luck to you!

Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:34 am

i definetly agree with everyone else on this matter. If you feel anxious and nervous about this particular surgeon then you should do something about, such as seeking out different options and surgeons in your area. If it were me personally i'd feel better if i felt comfortable with the surgeon verses not feeling comfortable. Perhaps your ortho could find you a different surgeon and i would ask around if you have any friends that went through the surgery with the surgeon that is picked by your ortho (if thatz possible). I would also bring along lots of questions when you go and meet the new surgeon in question and make sure you feel comfortable and satisfied with the surgeon. Keep us updated and remember its your body and you want to make sure you take good care of it!!!! best of luck and here hoping you find a new surgeon that will treat you better!!!! sorry to hear about your bad experience!

#12 Post by **switchblades** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 2:54 pm

Thanks guys!

My ortho said he would find me another surgeon, but he's sending me to the same surgical firm, and Dr. C. is THE orthognathic surgeon there. There is one Surgeon there who does TMJ surgery, but it seems as if this guy is the most experienced. Within the firm though, I'm told they consult with each other as well, so it may be possible to have a few different takes from the single consult.

I think the problem is, I live in Nova Scotia, and there is only the one firm here. I will be sure to remind my ortho that I don't wish to have Dr. C do my procedure. I haven't gotten a call back yet from OMS (the firm), so I'm not sure if he remembered to do my referral yet but he put me in stainless steel instead of aluminum wires last week, which tells me we're getting ready to get to that point

Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:24 pm

best of luck switchblades!! welcome aboard to the stainless steel wire club lol lol let us know how it goes! i to am waiting to hear from the dental surgeron. should hear from them next week, we called the surgeon on friday and they were just waiting to get the referral from my ortho, they got the call from my ortho already last wednesday so they are just waiting for the referral and then they'll go ahead and schedule all the pre op apts and the surgery. excited and yet nervous all the same time but it will be worth it!

#14 Post by **Arvensis** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:41 pm

Two thoughts.

1) while I would never ever condone going with a surgeon you are uncomfortable with and indeed myself elected not to have surgery ten years ago originally because the surgeon made me uncomfortable, I would still advise a consult with him if he is the specialist in the area just to see what he says

2) the surgeon I didn't go with was a specialist in lower jaws. This is what my ortho thought I needed. My second surgeon was specialist in upper. This utrned out to be what I needed. Funny how the guy I didn't like didn't specialize in the right kind of op.

#15 Post by **switchblades** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:26 pm

I have my consult set up, with another surgeon in the same office. I asked the receptionist why the website for the firm did not say he was an orthognatic surgeon, and she wasn't sure, but said he's been doing the surgeries for years, though it's harder tog et in with him because he does a week in Halifax and a week in Yarmouth - about 4 hours away. My appointment is Monday, we'll see what he says!

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Uncomfortable with surgeon...any advice?

Uncomfortable with surgeon...any advice?

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