Divorcing your Breast Surgeon

Vera, how incredibly frustrating. I would call first thing in Monday morning.

I don’t think your expectations are too high at all. My last core biopsy results came in on a Friday, I called my surgeons office to get the results and found out he was in surgery all day. I explained my anxiety over having to wait over the weekend and asked the nurse if she could call my surgeon to see if he could check in between surgeries.

He actually went into the office after hours when his surgeries were done and called me to go over the report with me.

When my Oncotype test results came in, my oncologist called me personally to review them and discuss chemo (until the test, we didn’t think I’d need chemo)

If a doctor, or their staff, are unresponsive or unprofessional, or they dismiss your concerns, or you lose faith in them, it’s time to find a new doctor

I have had similar issues with my breast surgeon, and I'm divorcing him and his awful staff. Everyone else on my treatment team is amazing, but this crew? YUCK. And making us wait so long for results? Unconscionable. Hang in there--I know waiting is just the worst!

I had my breast bx done on 12/31 and my BS did not contact me with results until 1/7 and then only because I called. I should have run then but listened to the nurse navigator (should have listened to myself). Had to have a second lumpectomy due to iffy margins on first and he revealed his true colors that day with paternalistic behaviors and the old "I know best" comment. NOT!

I went back for suture removal, and listened to his last lie about cosmesis of the surgery. I had made a return appointment but canceled it and would never let this BS touch me or any of my loved ones. My RO orders my mammograms and I have not seen a surgeon since that last appointment. Gave lip service to how invested he was in women's health especially those with BC and it was said with a forked tongue.

If you do not like your BS now, there are plenty more available and sometimes the ones that are touted as the best have an ego issue that interferes with their ability to hear their patient's needs. Believe me, I met one and am still feeling the effects of poor treatment 3 years later. So I wish I had divorced him earlier since my body bears the physical and psychological scars of poor care.

I liked my breast surgeon but it was clear from the beginning, perhaps because my diagnosis was DCIS, that she was going to be available if needed but not follow me with regular visits. So for the past 10 years, I am most closely followed by my RO who orders my mammos and then by my MO who I also see yearly. Just a year or two after my surgery, my breast surgeon became ill and even though quite young, had to stop practicing. I considered preemptively consulting with another breast surgeon, to kind of get them on board in case anything were to require their services, but I didn't do that. If I were you, I would not return to your BS and her incompetent office help, I would research other surgeons and if and when you think you need to consult one, do so and if you like them - have your records transferred. You might want to discuss this issue with your MO who you like and trust - they might give you some suggestions.

Sorry you have to go through that. I love my BS... she is a great surgeon and a sweet person, we are about the same age and our kids are too so we bonded quickly. I genuinely look forward to seeing her.

I would say if it's just issues with the staff, those can be sorted out, and should be because most docs hate to find out their staff is incompetent and will take steps to fix it. But if you don't like or more importantly trust the doctor, it's time to move on. Maybe since you get on well with your MO, see if they can recommend someone so you have an established surgeon just in case you need one after one of those mammograms. That way you aren't just taking first available. They all know or know of each other. I've found my best doctors through personal doctor recommendations. My so-so doctors are ones seen out of geographic convenience or easy availability.

I would run to another surgeon if mine hadn't heard of Lymphedema. How could she not?!

I really liked my BS who was extremely prompt to answer and diligent. She would call me immediately with results. She called at 8pm with biopsy results as soon as they came out after close of business.

I would not want to deal with someone who won't do a phonee call.

Divorce!