Type of Surgeon

[ccummins]

Hello. Looking for some thoughts on surgeons. I am meeting with a surgeon next week from a very good hospital in Chicago; Northwestern. Feeling very good about it until I heard of some possible negatives. At a big teaching hospital like this, there will likely be fellows and residents in the surgery who do some of the work. Also if something goes wrong post op, it will first go the resident, then the fellow then the surgeon. If I go to a hospital and use a private practice surgeon it would be him and his partner doing the surgery. If anything went wrong then they would be called. But they don't have the great reputation of my possible surgeon. Thoughts?

 

[Lynlw]

Hello. Looking for some thoughts on surgeons. I am meeting with a surgeon next week from a very good hospital in Chicago; Northwestern. Feeling very good about it until I heard of some possible negatives. At a big teaching hospital like this, there will likely be fellows and residents in the surgery who do some of the work. Also if something goes wrong post op, it will first go the resident, then the fellow then the surgeon. If I go to a hospital and use a private practice surgeon it would be him and his partner doing the surgery. If anything went wrong then they would be called. But they don't have the great reputation of my possible surgeon. Thoughts?

The good thing about large centers are there are always fellows 24/7 and usually an attending on site. There are negatives with any situation, but i always felt safest at the bigger centers that have seen everything and know how to handle any problem that comes up. The time frame from resident-to attending can be VERY quick if there are any complications. IMO North western is one of the top places to go and could handle anything that came up day or night (including week ends and Holidays)
Others prefer smaller centers, but since you are leaning towards North Western, I think you would be in great hands.(and No we don't go there)

 

[Eva]

I asked my surgeon at time I met with him many questions and his answer to your fear which was also mine at the time: he was the only one who would open my heart, replace the valves, etc...but residents with 5-8 years of experience will do the rest while and he will be the surgery room from start to end. You may ask this question of your surgeon.

 

[Lynlw]

I asked my surgeon at time I met with him many questions and his answer to your fear which was also mine at the time: he was the only one who would open my heart, replace the valves, etc...but residents with 5-8 years of experience will do the rest while and he will be the surgery room from start to end. You may ask this question of your surgeon.

I was just going to suggest asking the surgeon what he does and post op IF there are complications what happens ect. Speaking of which another reason large centers with residents and fellows can be good, is IF your post op complications happen during times when your surgeon is in the OR with other patients, it is nice to know there are highly qualified people to handle it.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Sounds like you've gotten some good suggestions for questions to ASK the Surgeon when you interview him.

To my mind, the #1 priority is to select a surgeon who you have confidence in to perform the type of surgery you need. Everything else is secondary to that.

Good Question.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[westie]

the only thing that matters

the only thing that matters

.
the surgeon who replaced my mitral valve was adamant that the only thing that mattered was "the surgeon who is doing the operation" everything else is of secondary importance to that .

having said that, my operation was in a mid sized private hospital where the surgeon did everything i.e. full operation, twice daily visits in hospital, and 3 follow up calls at home and instructed our g.p untill my first post op visit to the cardiologist. personally i regard this as optimal care.

having said that, when the surgeon was not in the hospital, i was 100% in the care of the nurses who sure were competent and confident; and they sure were in quick 24/7 phone contact with him if something was not right.

personally i prefer this situation to one where ongoing post op care is delegated down the line

 

[Bryan B]

Hello. Looking for some thoughts on surgeons. I am meeting with a surgeon next week from a very good hospital in Chicago; Northwestern. Feeling very good about it until I heard of some possible negatives. At a big teaching hospital like this, there will likely be fellows and residents in the surgery who do some of the work. Also if something goes wrong post op, it will first go the resident, then the fellow then the surgeon. If I go to a hospital and use a private practice surgeon it would be him and his partner doing the surgery. If anything went wrong then they would be called. But they don't have the great reputation of my possible surgeon. Thoughts?

I'm guessing that at one point your surgeon was a resident and then a fellow. How else could he have gained the experience needed to become an expert in his field. I don't really remember the resident very well, but I know the fellow sewed me up and removed my chest tubes the following day. For the vast majority of the surgery they are observing the surgeon and discussing the techniques he/she is using.

BTW...Northwestern is ranked as one of the 20 best heart hospitals in the nation. Most of the top rated heart hospitals in the nation are also large teaching hospitals.

Edit to mention that I do remember the resident now. She was the one that removed my pacer wires.

 

[geckley]

I had mine done at Hopkins and was totally at ease at their credentials. I felt that if they made it in to Hopkins they should be pretty good. I also asked the surgeon what I would expect from him. He was only a phone call away. I can't speak for your surgeon but mine guarded me like a mother bear over her cubs. I had 2 road bumps (not caused by interns or fellows), and he came to the rescue quickly, and openly laid down the law.

 

[DebbyA]

The degree of involvement with the surgeon post-surgery seems to vary from area to area and hospital to hospital and probably practice to practice.
Have you confirmed that the flow of responsibility is what you outlined? Yes, be sure to ask about the things that concern you and either be reassured by their answers or search for a surgeon who does make you feel confident.
My surgeon went on vacation right after my surgery, and was out of town when I had a problem 3 months later. And I was fine because his practice consisted of about a dozen excellent surgeons, plus great PAs at the hospital and NPs in the office.

 

[JaneBerm]

bummed out by surgeon

bummed out by surgeon

I had my second meeting with my surgeon yesterday and now I'm completely bummed out! He was accessible and answered all my questions the first time, but last night was a different story. He was abrupt and intimidating and even after signing my paperwork, I left nearly in tears. Yet I know he is the best surgeon in RI and fiercely protective of his patients. Thankfully I have a cardio who is a great listener and he is on staff at the hospital where I'll be having surgery.

Today was a rough day, with several phone calls and by the time I had worked my way through all the support folks, I started to feel OK again. Along the way I learned that he was in the middle of a medical crisis and after arriving late for our appointment, he was distracted and rushing to end our meeting. If I were the emergency, I'm sure I'd want him to be concerned about my wellbeing, but I do wish he had just told me and rescheduled the meeting. I've got a date for surgery on Feb. 24 and I do know that he is the best at what he does. Sometimes I guess you just have to look for the best mechanic and not expect him to hold your hand, but it sure is hard to do.