question about having surgery not at local hospital

[Lynlw]

I posted this in Deanna's thread when I was asking about the cardiologist that followed her while she was in the hospital that her own card wasn't on staff at. this is how our experience has been and I was wonderring how what others experiences were Thanks Lyn

I don't know how it works w/ everyone because I tend to be pretty anal when it comes to Justin's heart, and like more docs to know it well, BUT Justin has is own ped card that has been his doctor for the most part from the time he was one day old. but when Justin had surgery where his card wasn't on staff. while he was at say CHOP last year, he had his surgeon then there was a cardiologist on staff there that was Justin's cardiologist temporarily, checked on his every day, we ran things by him ect since you rarely see the surgeon the staff cardiologist wrote all of Justin's discharge meds and instrustions and was having all Justin's records sent to his main cardiologist. Any concerns we had that were surgery related we call the card that was following him at CHOP, for example Justin started getting signs of fluid a few days after he got home, the ped cardilogist at CHOP took care of that. then at the 6 week check up Justin saw the chop cardiologist who signed off on him until /if Justin has another surgery there. We also made a 6 week check up appt w/ HIS reg cardiologist, just so he would have a baseline of how Justin's heart was after this surgery.
Anyway now i am wonderring how others do it when you don't have surgery at the hospital your cardiologist proactices in. sounds like a good thing for a poll lol Lyn
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[BackDoc]

you brought up a very good topic. I am in the waiting room. I have already decided against any such procedure at my local community hospital.

I have opted to have the surgery, when the time comes, 70 miles away, at the Cleveland Clinic, Weston Florida, as opposed to in my own backyard. I consulted with two local surgeons that my cardiologist recommended and did not feel comfortable with either, for several reasons. One of which is that I am just not comfortable with my local hospital.

The surgeon that I consulted with at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Boyd, just came across much better--it's an intangable.
My cardiologist (who also happens to be a patient of mine),
isn't on staff, since Cleveland is so far away from Palm Beach Gardens, where I live.

The persons responsible for my well being, once I am on that table, is the surgeon, his/her surgical team, and the ICU team. I want to know that they see this condition everyday, operate on this condition everyday, and provide follow up care for this condition on a daily basis. I also needed to feel comfortable by knowing that they have seen and handled the unforseen that can occur afterwards.

This is as opposed to the local hospital which performs a fraction of these type of heart procedures. My own cardiologist will have plenty of opportunity to follow me before as well as afterwards, when I arrive home. I have also established a relationship with one of Clevelands cardiologists, who I also see 2x year, and who will be providing cardiology follow up once I do have the surgery.

I believe you have to go where you feel the most comfortable, whether it be close to home or somewhere else. It's your life, and it's your decision.

Just my opinions.

 

[cam4est]

I had the same situation last year when I had surgery at the Mayo. I was followed there by Dr. Phillips as my card and of course the surgeon. The surgeon saw me every day as did Dr. Phillips. I had everything transferred to my card here and even called him while I was in MN. It all worked great. When I had issues at home following the surgery, my card took care of it here. I had to call to MN a couple of times and my card here followed their advice. It worked well. I will see Dr. Phillips on the 24th and 25th of August and except for the few pounds I have gained I will be looking forward to seeing her. At least this year I will be able to breathe and talk at the same time!! Karen