Breakingwaves:
I've changed doctors more times that I like to admit. It's always the most difficult thing to do, even when I know it must be done. The first time was when my husband was hospitalized for endocarditis. His doctor,an internist, did not seem to be treating my husband aggressively. We both had questions about his treatment plan, or lack of one. I called the doctor and he told me that I was not the patient, merely the wife....and, he said, that made me nothing! I made arrangements to have my husband released from the hospital without doctor's approval and had him transported by ambulance (which required cash) to another hospital's emergency room. Also made arrangements with a Cardiologist (with the assistance of my surgeon) to see him in the emergency room. My husband was admitted to the second hospital where he stayed until he could go home on IV antibiotics. To this day, the cardiologist still tells me that I probably saved my guy's life. My husband had been seing the "fired" doctor for 8 years and did not want to change because he was "used to him."
I recently visited a gyn surgeon for myself. When I questioned a method he was going to use, he told me to "take it or leave it." I told him to shove it, on the spot. I visited with another surgeon, whom I did not choose because he had a terrible skin condition with open sores on his face. The third one I found impressed me because he answered most of my questions and has a most pleasant "bed-side manner. My surgery will be done in a few weeks after I get rid of the aftermath of a cold. It's rather like you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. Bottom line is that you have to have a doctor who is not only expert at what s/he does, but you need one who cares about you as a person. The surgeon I choose tells me that I remind him of his mother, and he adores his mother. He may be full of baloney, but that's ok.
I wish the very best for you in whatever you choose.
Regards, Blanche (who is also plus-size)
