Follow up MD Scheduling Frustrations

One of the reasons I chose my bariatric surgery center was because it was ranked as a Center of Excellence - for those who know the Twin Cities - the one in Saint Louis Park. I have been very happy with my surgical results, but lately I have been incredibly disappointed and downright angry at their policy for scheduling appointments. My whole goal along this journey is to remain accountable and healthy - whether it's my vitamin levels or my "head." As part of the surgical follow ups, my clinic recommends you see both a bariatrician, nurse, and dietitian at different time periods. But, for the last two cycles I have been specifically told by the scheduler that "you don't NEED to see both the nurse and the doctor." I literally have to demand to see both. For example, last fall I had to literally fight with the lady at the front desk to give me my one year appointment with the nurse and doctor. She was incredibly rude, and then told me again that I "don't need" to see both. The only available appointments she told me were in March 2013, literally two months past my year date. I took them, and then left feeling incredibly bad about the experience.

Fast forward to yesterday, I got a call from the clinic telling me that my "nurse" appointment had been cancelled because the nurse I scheduled with was out of the office AND since I already had an appointment scheduled with the MD, I don't need to reschedule. I literally hit the roof!! I told the scheduler that I do want a nurse appointment and she once again resisted! Finally, I started to get upset and asked her what their policy actually was, because publicly they proclaim themselves to offer this support to their patients. She told me that they were trying to save their patients on co-pays. Allow me to call this statement what it really is - a bunch of smelly crap! As the conversation ended, I asked to speak with the charge nurse, and I was told to just tell the nurse when I had my next appointment.

And, let me qualify my visits to the MD, I only go when I am scheduled to go for my post-surgery follow ups. I am not calling the clinic, making extra appointments, etc. Instead, I go when I am suppose to. This has been very frustrating, and I will be sharing this with the nurse I see. But, honestly, it is very maddening. They present themselves to be a facility that will be caring and supportive throughout your weight loss surgery journey. Instead, once you reach six months, they encourage you not to come - cancel your appointments - and act like you are unreasonable when you ask for your "bariatric surgery timeline appointment as detailed in your post-surgical plan."

The question actual remains is whether or not the medical staff is acutely aware of the problem. During my last appointment, I shared this with the bariatrician, who appeared to be shocked and dismayed by this treatment. But, like I said, when I left that very appointment, I was again greeted with hostility and negativity from the scheduler. It is frustrating. And, for someone like me who actually wants to succeed and get the medical input necessary to be successful, I think it is a travesty.