When to Bug Surgeon?

[perkicar]

This might sound crazy--but it's been nearly two weeks since Dr Griffin told me that Dr Lytle's scheduler would be calling me to set up my surgery. Now I know that none of us are chomping at the bit to go under the knife, but at the same time, I'm really wanting to get the date set so I can really get my head around what is happening.
Am I being impatient or should I be calling them to light a fire under their butts? Since I have already been told he books out two months, times a'wasting!
Thanks in advance listening to my goofy request!

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Definitely call -- I had about the same AS severity when they operated on me and I think you should get your plans made and your valve safely replaced ASAP.

What I gathered from my experience was not to let the hypertrophy of the left ventricle go unchecked for long -- the least this does is prolong your recovery.

 

[geebee]

Carolyn,

Be a squeaky wheel. You are not being impatient - just wanting to get on with your life.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

There's a difference between being aggressive and being assertive. It is in your best interest to be assertive to get things moving in a polite manner. It took me two months to get my AVR surgery lined up and I felt that I got there 'just in time'.

I would recommend calling the scheduler and asking how soon they can accomodate you as you want to get on with your surgery before there is any more damage to your heart. The surgeon probably won't even be aware of your call.

Best wishes,

'AL'

 

[Ross]

Past experience with CCF tells me to tell you to call. Those people do not move on anything without some enhancement. Enhance them!

Another thing, don't go getting all worked up over the bills that come from 2 weeks ago. I'm forewarning you that their billing department is horrendous. They won't forget to bill you, believe me, but when they do, go over it with a fine tooth comb. I'm sure you'll find things that shouldn't be there.

 

[tommy]

I'd prompt the scheduler. Two weeks is long enough without hearing anything. Are they still getting authorization from insurance?

Also, if the scheduler turns out to be slow, I'd find a quiet moment (not just prior to OR) to let the surgeon know.

 

[perkicar]

After two weeks, I'd call. Actually, after one week I'd call. One time I had a similar experience, and it turned out that the referral form had been sent to the wrong person. The paperwork was sitting on the wrong person's desk, she felt no urgency to do anything with it, and the right person had no idea that I was waiting for her to call. If I hadn't called them, no telling when they would have straightened it out.

I called them last week, and Dr Lytle's secretary was clueless. In her defense, she probably doesn't do alot with his surgery schedule, but she did tell me she'd get my chart and get it to the scheduler. That was last tuesday. So I think I'll give them today to call, and if I don't hear anything I'll call them again tomorrow. I might contact the cardiologist too since he's the one who told me to get the surgery scheduled!
Thanks!

 

[inlaguna]

I scheduled about 2 months out. I called and e-mailed. I made sure to e-mail my cardio and the surgeon on my e-mail so they were pretty prompt about getting me the date.

Getting on the schedule should be the least of your worries. They should handle that for you and you should not have to keep reminding them.

 

[hensylee]

My post was going to be what Gina said. Be the squeaky wheel. My bro was scheduled for a procedure and theY FORGOT! Don't let it happen to you. Call every day.

 

[MelissaM]

If possible, have your cardiologist (or your cardiologist's office) call on your behalf. That helped expedite the scheduling at CCF for me, anyway.

 

[perkicar]

Surgery Schedule Update

Surgery Schedule Update

Well, I called this morning (meant to call earlier in the week, tried yesterday but they'd gone home). Paperwork is on Dr Lytle's desk for him to review, they'll be calling me in the next 3 or 4 days. So this time next week we should have a date (and if we don't I'm gonna drive up to Cleveland and kick some bootie!)
My anxiety level has actually gone down since my visit there, but I'm sure it will begin to ramp up as the actual date approaches......

 

[Ross]

* Hint to the lady above* Stop worrying before it's time and then worry only for one day! *End hint to lady above*