Friday, April 1, 2011

Plastic Surgeons & Bedside Manner

So, I visited many plastic surgeons before choosing one.  The first guy barely gave any info on the procedure and when I asked him to show me some pictures he grabbed some slides of one patient and made me hold them up to the light to try to see them.  Really?  That was it--that's all he offered as an example of his work.  He's the same one that wanted to make nipples out of my labia tissue.  Just trying to get a peek of my hoo-hoo, I think.  So didn't choose him.  Second guy was highly experienced and credentialed, had impressive slide show, very cushy fancy robes, very informative, was actually going to choose him until I found out he was out of network.  Good thing I ditched him too cuz that one consult cost me $600.  Seriously..the nerve.  Third guy clearly thought he was God and was extremely offended that we were actually questioning him on his take of the procedure.   Treated me like I was there to just get a random boob job--Hello, I'm not here by choice, forgive me if I have some questions about how all of this is going to go down.  And then his nurse was quite bitchy and offended when I saw one set of his pictures and the final result wasn't pretty.  So my natural response was I don't want to end up looking like that.  She made it very clear that she found that rude.  Once again, if I am going to be paying you to be hacking off body parts and rebuilding them, I want to make it really clear how I would like the final result result to look.   So that led us to number 4 who I ended up choosing.
Number 4 spent a good two hours with us at the first consult and was very straightforward on how things would go down.  He was generous with his photos of all stages of breast reconstruction and we liked his work.  He was young (mid 40's maybe), down to earth, had a good laid back vibe, nice office, and most importantly, FREE PARKING!!!!!!!!!!!  Ok maybe not most importantly, but important.  And he was the only one to even mention the use of the ONCUE pain patch that was implanted in my chest after surgery that delivered a constant flow of anethestic over the first few days after surgery.  Those first three days were bliss--I felt nothing--I miss those days.

Anyway, now that I've had some time to spend with my ps, I'd like to talk about bedside manner.  Yes, he tolerated my midnight and early morning calls those first couple weeks when I was freaking out and in pain and really miserable.  I was not an easy patient at first.  But having no frame of reference for what I was dealing with, quite understandable i think.  So kudos to him for putting up with me. 
As far as office visits are concerned, I've had three fills and one other visit just to check everything out while I was healing before the expansion process began.  Ok, I've got these pokey uncomfortable expanders in that are stretching my skin and muscle beyond comprehension. I've got some weird skin sensitivity on my chest that is unbearable at times.  Do you really need to poke and push and prod at me that roughly?  I understand you need to feel what's going on in there, but seriously, have a little compassion.  All of those places you are poking rather harshly are REALLY REALLY SORE!!  And when I say "Hey settle down, that hurts"or "ouch" then ease up mister.   I know you are not the coddling type, and maybe that is part of your charm, but once in awhile, gimme a little bit of sympathy.  I wish you could have these expanders for a week or two to really know how this feels.  The funniest thing is that Max usually goes to my appts with me.  After the last injection, both Max and my ps actually had a conversation about how cool and awesome it is how the boobs are instantly bigger after the injection. Really?  Have you two seen the size of that syringe you come at me with every  week?  But I get it--they are men and men are still boys when it comes to boobs, nipples or not.  I love a great pair of boobs too and yes it is kinda cool that they get bigger every week, but they also get harder and heavier and I think they have moved into my armpits now as well.  Not cool. 
  So anyway, my point is that bedside manner counts.  Yes I think you are clever and funny and I honestly think you are the right guy to give me the perfect set of boobs when all is said and done.  Your tendency toward honesty, good or bad, is greatly appreciated.  But maybe just once we could role play and I can stick a big ass syringe full of saline in your chest or even better in your penis and then remark how cool and awesome it is!  that would be fun, wouldn't it?  Don't worry, I'd make sure to poke and prod really hard to make sure everything is in place before and after. Especially where it really hurts.  And the best part, I would bill you for services rendered when I'm done!  In my next life, I'm coming back as a plastic surgeon. 

In all honesty, folks--as much as this sucks, I do love my ps and even though I'm honest it's all in good fun.  You can find his link on my homepage--I'd recommend him for anything.

3 comments:

  1. Ouch! I remember my boobs when I was nursing my babies, and they got hard, and they hurt, and I'm sure not anything like what you are going through. I'm so sorry! I just don't think men really understand. If I had it to do, I'd go down a few sizes!

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  2. All that is so amazingly disturbing isn't it? I mean, it's your health, your body, your LIFE, and you aren't suppose to ask questions! You are supposed to blindly accept what King Doctor says. WTF? When will they stop being that way? ECHHHH!!!!!! Good for you for standing up for what you need and I like the revenge fantasy. Absolutely.

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  3. I thought it was strange that nobody used the same approach to the procedure. Number 3 was blown away by the tattooing that number 2 was doing, acted as if he'd never heard of doing it that way before - questioned us a couple of times as to whether we really understood what he meant. So glad that you kept looking for someone better after that guy. Braithwaite is the perfect choice for you, a little rough at times, but very understanding and concerned about your appearance and mental health.

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