Surgery

Twisted Fate · 21-09-2021, 01:09 AM

I have idea what to do. The doctor wants me to have an ablation on my heart. I had stomach surgery last year and that was hell. It's been almost a year and I still have issues from the surgery. I joined an online support group page on facebook for those who have had the surgery and a lot of them say the recovery time is months. My doctor said recovery would be about a week. It sounds like I will have to be awake for part of the surgery- the part where they send my heart into an episode. I'm terrified of all of it. My symptoms are pretty well controlled on my meds but the doctor wants to do the surgery to just "cure" the issue completely. To make it worse my friend had this same surgery and it actually caused a blood clot for her that went to her lungs. This whole thing is just making me extremely anxious. I have no idea what to do. I don't really know what I'm expecting from posting this.

Auror. · 22-09-2021, 10:38 PM

That sounds really confusing.

Are you able to have a chat with your doctor to find out more about your concerns, and see how necessary they really think it is? If it's managed on meds, maybe you can explain that you'd prefer things stay that way unless there is no other option?

If not, are you able to see another doctor to get a second opinion?

Twisted Fate · 23-09-2021, 12:32 AM

My doctor seemed kind of rushed during the appointment. He didn't really explain anything to me about the surgery and I did ask some questions but he just came off as rushed and like he thought the surgery was no big deal because he does them all the time. I'm thinking I do need the surgery because I've been so stressed about it that I've been having more episodes of tachycardia and more arrhythmias.

I could get a second opinion but it takes months to get into specialists here in the US and it would cost a lot more money to switch to a different doctor since insurance is crappy here.

Auror. · 23-09-2021, 02:57 AM

Is there not more than one of that specialist who takes your insurance? It might be worth trying to book a second appointment with your regular doctor and ask for more time to discuss it, and then also try booking with a new one as well. Then whichever happens first, you can talk to. Maybe you could even ask for a virtual visit, since you really just want to discuss options anyways. Often they can get you in for virtual visits quicker than in person ones in my experience recently. That could also expand your provider search network to further away too if you don't have to drive there.

You shouldn't have to pay more money just to see a new doctor if there's another one who takes your insurance and is in network too. So even if there is a wait, it couldn't hurt anything to make multiple appointments. It isn't like you pay when you make the appointment.

Twisted Fate · 24-09-2021, 03:38 AM

There are others who take my insurance but it takes months to get an appointment. The issue is if I went to someone new things take so long that I probably wouldn't be able to get the surgery until next year. I've met my insurance deductible this year and next year it would start over. So basically it would cost me a lot more money to have it done next year. The appointments are actually really expensive. It costs $65 (US) every time I see any specialist. My best option is to call the office and talk to the nurse who could likely answer my questions which I plan to do.

Auror. · 24-09-2021, 04:52 AM

Ah okay. It seems a bit late in the year to be able to book and get surgery, especially since so many hospitals are pausing surgery for now, but it does make sense to want to try if you've already met your deductible. And maybe hospitals in your area are doing better than where I live.

Ringing the office to try to speak to a nurse sounds like a fantastic idea. I hope they can answer your questions and get the process started for you!

Also, unsure of your financial situation, but if you've got that many medical expenses and are lower income, it might be worth checking to see if you meed the criteria for medicaid? You can have medicaid as secondary insurance, and then if your providers take medicaid too, that can remove some of the other fees like copays and deductibles in certain situations. I was able to do that with my previous insurance which really helped me out.

Twisted Fate · 25-09-2021, 01:53 AM

You're in the US then? I assumed you were from the UK lol. If I can't have it done this year then I don't plan to get it done. I think here it depends on the surgery. For my stomach surgery I was able to get in right away as soon as I had all the testing done. I don't qualify for Medicaid or anything. I have a decent job just crap insurance. I appreciate the replies!

Auror. · 25-09-2021, 03:22 AM

Yes, I'm in the US.

I hope it works out for you!

Derepotyn · 02-09-2022, 10:20 AM

I wouldn't do surgery with a doctor who can't answer my questions. I may be luckier than you because I can afford to have the surgery or pay more for it.

Pi.R^2 · 02-09-2022, 03:54 PM

Closing due to length of time elapsed. Twisted Fate, do let me know if at any point you would like the thread reopening!