So I called my Ob/GYN's office this morning to schedule my annual. The receptionist took forever to take me off of hold and finally looked up my information to schedule the appointment. So she tells me she can put me with the NP or another male doctor, Dr. O (my doctor is male, so that wasn't the problem). I said "My doctor is Dr.D" and she told me he is "limiting his annual appointments and has hired Dr. O to help." I told her that I went to Dr. O for my follow-up a few months ago and will not see him again as I had a very VERY bad experience. She offered Dr. H and I said "ok, if I can't see my own doctor". I know Dr. H and she's ok, but honestly...I just want my own darn doctor!
I'm infuriated. So I called my sister (aka, bridezilla) and told her. She got all ticked off (as expected) and called them. He apparently isn't even doing deliveries anymore...only specialty robotic surgery.
My sisters and I have been going to him for 12 years (about 7 for me) and we don't really know what to do now. I know it is a personal decision, but we all seem to have the same preference for doctors, so we're in a pretty rough spot. Bridezilla is TTC (we'll know in about 10 days if she's pregnant this time) and without a doctor now and we plan to start trying within the next year or so.
Ugh. This sucks. How did you find your OB/GYN? I feel like we're going to have to do what they did in Knocked Up and interview like 20 doctors. Ugh.
Re: So irritated!!! (Doctor vent)
Ugh, that's infuriating. I can see giving up a certain practice, but geez, inform your patients!
I asked around and I got extremely lucky on the first try. I won't ever go to an OB/GYN without a recommendation from friends.
Sage & Berries Blog
I think that is my biggest problem with the situation. The receptionist was really abrupt and rude about it and I was in complete shock. It definitely could have been handled better.
Luckily, my sisters have friends in the area (I don't really) so they're working on getting recommendations. My biggest worry is the hospital that the doctor is affiliated with. I am extremely particular about what hospitals I want to be in and I think it is going to be a bit difficult to find exactly what I'm looking for with the right hospital affiliation. And the search begins...ugh.
My doctor retired on me and then his partner was wonderful and he retired (and he was the most sweet man - loves, loves women and helped me with the major stuff I dealth with that I already talked about months ago.) But his partner was an a$$hole - I was just a number. There was no way I was going to him.
So there I was with no doctor. I asked my primary doctor and I told him what was important to me and without blinking an eye he made a recommendation. Dr. Walsh is wonderful! I referred my BF and she just had a baby and is now pregnant with twins!
I think asking a doctor that you already know you like about what doctor to see is a very good way to go about it.
Married
I'm with you on this! and it was the #1 factor in finding a new OB/GYN. I used my general care physician (who I have been going to forever) to find a doc in the hospital network that I wanted. She knows my insurance info so she looked around and gave me a top 3. I went to the doc about a month after our wedding and I really liked her. We talked about TTC eventually and BC and she was great. I hope finding a new doc isnt as hard as you think it's going to be!
Married Bio
Planning Bio
I am so sorry that you are going through this! How frustrating that the receptionist was so rude about the situation.
I would definitely rely on family and friends and do your research.
I love my OB/GYN and the hospital she is with so I would be upset if I had to change. I have had good experience with other doctors in her practice though and know I will be taken care of if she can't be there. That is important to me.
That stinks!! I'm sorry! I hated my first gyno, so I know how it can be trying to find a new one. I actually met my current one at the pharmacy when I was working. She was really nice and down to earth, so I booked an appointment. Have you tried posting on your local boards? I feel like word of mouth is a good way to find someone new. I can't believe he didn't inform his patients!
Well, the storm has calmed a bit and I've decided to stick it out for now. We still have the ability to see him (even if it is limited) if we want to, so that is good to know. Also, his OB nurse is staying and my sister likes her, so that is also good to know. I am familiar with Dr. H (she worked with me a year ago on my nutrition plan that has totally gone down the tubes...lol), but not as a GYN patient. I'm sure it'll be ok, but my sister did mention that female OB/GYNs are less sympathetic to any complaints/issues than males usually are. lol
...and no one really posts on my local board. Which is ok...the ones I've seen post on TK, TN & TB are all kind of weird...lol