I cancelled my surgery today...

[Girl111]

If it was me I would have done the same thing, as
You say, colon resection is no minor surgery and you want someone hands on with a lot of experience .

My dad had his cancelled twice to be honest ( due to other reasons ) and it did not make any difference .

Don't worry, I think you have made the right choice .

Tina x

[Carolinabluetec]

I agree with your decision. I spent my entire working life (46 years) in the Medical Industry. Most of it was in hospitals dealing with physicians.They are not all created equal. If you are not comfortable with a particular person, it is best not to use them for whatever reason. It is your body and your life. I got the best colorectal surgeon that I could find in the area. I got opinions from other doctors and staff that referred patients to surgeons or worked with them. It payed off in the end.

[lorrainem]

My gut hasn't failed me, so I applaud your brave decision. As has been said, unless there are other factors, colon cancer is generally slow growing, a month won't be too long. Many surgeries are delayed when the patient has a fever, etc. Put your mind at ease for this and do your due diligence on the surgeon you will be meeting next month.
Good luck.

[Meili]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm so fortunate to have your suggestions and support during these difficult times. I have no regrets about the cancellation and will use this one month to improve my health as much as possible. I'm juicing, jogging and smiling everyday!

[singingholly]

You have burnt some bridges at that hospital. That surgeon you rejected and the anasthesiologist assigned for the surgery are definitely not happy about you wasting their time like this.

This is just absurd: Melili has full right to choose without expecting any nasty consequence at all!

[KWT]

You have burnt some bridges at that hospital. That surgeon you rejected and the anasthesiologist assigned for the surgery are definitely not happy about you wasting their time like this.

This is just absurd: Melili has full right to choose without expecting any nasty consequence at all!

They are probably in love with you. As they were able to get in an extra nine holes at the country club

[Bev G]

I would have, and in fact did, make the same decision. I cancelled surgery with the newly minted Dr. My HMO assigned me. He was board eligible for colorectal surgery, but had not bothered to take his exam yet. Said he does rectal resection surgery about every three months. He told me he would give me an APR with permanent colostomy. Period. Second opinion at at a cancer center said LAR with 80% chance of reconnect. Third opinion was even more experienced, does colorectal surgery almost exclusively, will do LAR and even more positive about reconnect. I went on chemo and have waited four months to have surgery with #3 after insurance changes in January. A risk, yes, but one I was willing to take. Gotta go with your gut. You only get one shot at this, so make sure you trust the person holding your fate in their hands. Bev made a bunch of great points in her post. Good luck!

Teddi

Sounds like you made a great decision, too Teddi, One small point I'd like to make: You mentioned your guy was 'Board Eligible", all the sub-specialists are for quite a while. It isn't that he hadn't bothered to take the exam. Before Board certifications all doctors have to do a certain (large) number of procedures, and have accumulated a huge case list. The exams include being grilled for hours by several experienced specialists about the patients on their case list, and about ever decision they made in their treatment. It's very intense, and very difficult. My husband was Board Eligible for about 3 years before he could take his Boards. (he passed the first time, which is not a guarantee ) So, there's nothing at all wrong with being Board Eligible---doctors can remain in that status for a long time.

Best wishes to you!

Bev

[peanut_8]

Good luck to you Meili. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, and I think you made the right decision. You also seem to have a great attitude. That is important for recovery, as I'm sure you know this isn't just minor surgery. Lots of folks have pointed out that not all surgeons are created equally. I just wanted to mention that it is the same for posters here on the Colon Club. Bev G is one of the best. Hope you keep us posted on your progress.
cheers, peanut

[KWT]

I'm curious with it being open enrollment, why not purchase a policy that would allow you to recieve care at the facility of your choice? One of the best things about the ACA is the no preexisting condition clause. Take advantage of that if you can.hell you could end up,at Sloan if you wanted.

[weisssoccermom]

Melli....no one here can tell you which option was/wasn't the best for you. Only YOU can decide that for your situation. It doesn't really matter now anyway since you already made the decision and you are comfortable with it. Was it the correct one? No one can say. I am confused though....how do you know that you will get a different (better) surgeon in a month? I'm just curious about that.

You may/may not have caused the hospital to look unfavorably on you....let's be honest....we hope it doesn't happen but be realistic that your cancellation may 'flag' you as a 'difficult' patient. For now, though, don't stress about the choice you made. As I said, it was the right choice for YOU and that is what is most important. Give yourself this added month.....relax and enjoy the holidays...and as you stated, take this time to improve your health and be prepared for the journey that lies ahead.

[lhawk0730]

You have burnt some bridges at that hospital. That surgeon you rejected and the anasthesiologist assigned for the surgery are definitely not happy about you wasting their time like this.

This is just absurd: Melili has full right to choose without expecting any nasty consequence at all!

They are probably in love with you. As they were able to get in an extra nine holes at the country club

I work for multiple surgeons. They don't bat an eye at cancellations. Yours probably won't remember your name. Your decision was a win-win. You feel more comfortable and it did no harm in terms of your standing with your medical team. Good job going with your gut.

[meatie]

Melli....no one here can tell you which option was/wasn't the best for you. Only YOU can decide that for your situation. It doesn't really matter now anyway since you already made the decision and you are comfortable with it. Was it the correct one? No one can say. I am confused though....how do you know that you will get a different (better) surgeon in a month? I'm just curious about that.

You may/may not have caused the hospital to look unfavorably on you....let's be honest....we hope it doesn't happen but be realistic that your cancellation may 'flag' you as a 'difficult' patient. For now, though, don't stress about the choice you made. As I said, it was the right choice for YOU and that is what is most important. Give yourself this added month.....relax and enjoy the holidays...and as you stated, take this time to improve your health and be prepared for the journey that lies ahead.

I am glad somebody does agree with me!

[GreenMonkey]

listen to your gut... (also certified colorectal surgeon)

when I had my double mastectomy I knew (in my gut) that my plastics surgeon was NOT the right way to go but my breast surgeon talked me into it. HE BUTCHERED ME. it took 7 additional surgeries to fix his mistakes.

when I had my rectal surgery, I had 100 percent faith in my surgeon and she did a wonderful job.

[KWT]

All this burning bridges shit is just crazy talk. Give it a rest what's done is done.

The green monkey flies again!

[weisssoccermom]

Meatie - please don't misunderstand my point. I'm NOT saying that Mellie has burned any bridges. I'm just merely commenting that there 'may' be (notice that I emphasized 'may') be some consequences....then again, there may not be. Whatever happens is irrelevant. Each person must do what they feel is best for THEM and no one else. I learned long ago that what is right for one person isn't necessarily right for another. Take my situation.....I did well with an excision and PUSHED for it when all the surgeons disagreed. I won't tell another person that an excision is/isn't right for them.....what I will say, however, was that it was right for ME. If Melli's gut told her to cancel, then that was the right decision for HER and as I said earlier, no one on this board can/can't say what is right for someone else. We shouldn't be arguing about another person's decision regarding their health care decisions....it isn't our place to do so.