Would You Change Doctors?

[weebeasties]

Here is the short version.
My partner had hernia surgery several months ago. The pain never ended. Finally, she was sent for another CT scan. The results were "surgical hernia". The surgeon is not claiming any fault, but says there is a hernia at the site of first hernia surgery. They are now setting up appointment for another surgery. Should we try to get a different surgeon for this one? I don't like the thought of using the same doctor if he did botch it the first time, but no one is actually saying he did. Also, a nurse commented that no other doctor would want to touch it because "it was his work." That was not reassuring AT ALL.
What would you do?

 

[LuvDeezKittez]

What would you do?

Trust your gut! What the nurse said is completely not true at all! I chose a different surgeon for my 2nd sinus surgery because I thought the first guy did a crappy job. I'm glad I didn't just go back to first guy, my second experience was so positive and much less stressful.

It's not as if the 2nd surgery won't cost anything $$$ and you are certainly free to choose a different surgeon. Having surgery is a major decision and you should feel completely comfortable both before and after. If you truly believe the surgeon may be at fault you should consider at the very least talking to a medical malpractice attorney, just to weigh your options, get a second opinion about the results of the procedure, etc. That being said, it can be a long road and depending on Florida's laws it may be difficult to prove "neglect" or "fault".

In the meantime, do your research (it's not fun but necessary) to find another surgeon with positive reviews from previous patients, that works with your insurance situation AND MOST IMPORTANTLY you feel comfortable sharing your concerns and suspicions about the first procedure. Who knows, you may learn that a 2nd hernia at the surgery site is common and not the fault of the doctor, or perhaps you'll learn something else. Either way, when facing an important decision or having doubts about something that already happened, arm yourself with knowledge and reach out to many people. The more you know, the better you'll feel about making the right decision.

 

[weebeasties]

Thanks LuvDeezKittez for the advice. It's been a very trying and confusing time for us. I will contact her insurance to see if there are other surgeons in her plan that can do this operation.
I would love to be able to just give all her medical records to an independent doctor for review so they could tell us if there was a mistake made somewhere. This will be her 4th surgery in 9 months and we are emotionally and financially exhausted. Not to mention she has been in constant pain this whole time. Her original surgery was a hysterectomy. She kept complaining of pain afterwards, but they said they didn't know why and were going to send her to physical therapy. That was when a nurse practitioner said it sounded like a hernia and sent her to be tested. It was a HUGE hernia. So they did surgery and sewed a 12"x12" piece of mesh into her stomach. Now she has a hernia in the same spot. I don't know if she has had incompetent doctors , or if she has just had really bad luck.

 

[neely]

I'm so sorry your partner had to go through the first hernia surgery only to be told she needs another surgical procedure at the same site. I would definitely get a second opinion, not only from another doctor but from one at another hospital too. Also have your partner check with her insurance to make sure they will cover a second hernia surgery this soon. They may have certain rules or procedures to follow regarding pre-approval authorization. Sending special thoughts your way.

 

[betsygee]

I would definitely get a second opinion. My spouse had back surgery and I was convinced at the time that the surgeon botched it. Hubby went back to the same guy for the 'repair,' over my objections, only because he was in so much pain he didn't want to take the time and effort to get more opinions and wait longer.

The second one didn't work, either. He finally went to see another back specialist who said he'd have never done surgery to begin with! Hubby ended up at a different hospital and surgeon for two additional back surgeries.

It was a nightmare, and a lesson learned the hard way. As LuvDeezKittez said, go with your gut.

 

[Lari]

I'm thinking a second opinion probably wouldn't hurt either. My grandma kept going back to the same doctor that replaced her knee replacement, even after it got infected (though I think that was a mixture of the hospital and the first nursing home being negligent), and she never really recovered. I thought she should see someone new at that point.

Maybe there was no mistake with the last surgery, but in my opinion, if you don't feel good about it, it's going to be hard to trust the doctor she had this time.

 

[Mia6]

I would fine another doc quickly. Sorry she is going through this.

 

[Winchester]

When you lose trust, it's time to see somebody else. And I do agree with neely that you might want to even go to a second hospital. I wish your partner the best of luck.

 

[AbbysMom]

I totally agree with getting a second opinion from a doctor in a hospital network not affiliated with this one.

Good luck!

 

[kashmir64]

I do agree with getting a second opinion, however, it may not have been the surgeon's fault. I found this about it.
Incisional Hernia | Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library