The Surgeon and the knive

Meeting the Surgeon and the continuous paperwork

We drove about away miles to meet with a very specific general surgeon.  I was referred to this surgeon from a new friend that had a double mastectomy done.  It is important to feel comfortable and a whole lot of confidence in the doctors that you pick.  Secondly it is utmost important that you received a referral from your primary care physician.  Thirdly make (100%) sure that the doctor, the anesthesiologist and the hospital is on the insurance as in network provider.  The one that most of us forget to check on is the anesthesiologist.  Bottom line all referrals have to go through your Primary Car physician and - honestly I went to their office to make sure this was done and still it was not done.   The paperwork can be really frustrating - there are the referrals and then always with every doctor the family health history statements – as if having cancer is not enough to deal with.  

Regarding the FMLA forms for my employment to have time off for surgery.  Keep in mind you are supposed to get that paperwork back within 15 days to the employer that is US Federal law.  Well the primary car told me I need to send it to the oncologist , the oncologist said the surgeon have to do it and the surgeon said the plastic surgeon do it.  Well maybe nobody does it … every time I have to send and email to my boss and the FMLA Coordinator stating that the next doctor will have to complete it, finally now I know it is the plastic surgeon that have to complete the FMLA forms.  

What I learned at the surgeon office is the following:

The surgeon’s job is simply to follow the instructions on the incision marked lines that the plastic surgeon draw out on the breast before the scheduled surgery.  Secondly the surgeon is going to make sure all the breast tissue both sides are removed and if the surgery includes nipple preservation tissue from underneath each nipple is send to be tested separately.

However my surgeon insisted that the surgery will be done her in this remote location where his office is.