virginiaRN

If this were just a bunch of sorority girls, yeah, maybe (?) let it go--or have the confrontation there. But this PA--a provider with a lot of power over the lives of others--needs to have her card pulled. Trust that I am on this. After sleeping on it, and waking up a little fresher, I wrote a letter to the surgeon and the practice manager. But I may not be done there. Taking stock and deciding about next steps.

I empathize with Bootscraper's feelings that feels she should have spoken up, but personally I don't have one lick of regret. I know that had I done so, no justice would have been served. The real justice is reporting her higher up the food chain, which is what I am doing. That would have been squashed, and ended there. I am playing the long game, not a quick adrenaline hit. I kept my cool and showed restraint, which now will give me much more credibility in the retelling of the story to the surgeon and the office manager (which I have done). Further, had I said something, that would then be fodder for the PA and her minions to twist in a game of telephone. I will not have my words twisted. I gave her *nothing* to twist around. I walked away or "turned the other cheek." But I am making sure that the right people are aware of her actions. While current circumstances may not reflect it, the culture around the DC area is not one in which you can just have confrontations and say whatever you want. So, I cannot think of a word I could have said or anything I could have done differently that would change anything. Had the office manager or surgeon been there, I could have told them. But they weren't in the office. Anyway, to each his own.

No, no. Have been going there 2 years and never was asked to fill out a survey. As I wrote in a previous comment, I have already written a letter to the surgeon & practice manager. Thanks

It is a private practice. Not part of hospital.

Yes I deleted my reply as I realized I miss understood that part of your reply, as Jan was trying to point out to me. I apologize and am removing myself from the conversation. Have a nice day. Got it. Sorry. I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone. I would love to have cute boobs, trust me! Take care.

Done this morning. I had to follow up. I couldn't live with myself if I let that behavior go unchecked. Like I said, I worry more about the person who may feel more vulnerable than me. A friend of mine went to this practice to inquire about the process and said the PA was so rude to her, she never came back. And this would be such a blessing to her, she has a lot of weight to lose, many comorbidities and a couple little kids to care for. I am hoping she will check out some other practices!

Done and done! Thank you.

I can't see GamePlan18's post. It looks to be deleted. I'm surprised that I have to further denigrate my own looks to state: No, I ***WISH*** they looked like porn/stripper breasts, or hell even normal person breasts. Mine look very odd, with literally NO BREAST TISSUE and not even human. I think I made that pretty clear. Many people have made the erroneous comment that "oh well, at least you get a free boob job" when they heard I was dx'd with breast cancer. *THAT* is the point of that whole section. That my breasts look abnormal and weird, and unlike what unempathetic people have said, getting a "free boob job" wasn't a "upside" of getting cancer. Hope me further describing how hideous my breasts are clarify that for you! Really wasn't trying to go back in that hole today.

So mean. These are the wrong people to be in the medical field. I hate when I hear this, I am so ashamed of my fellow healthcare workers. I'm sorry that happened to you.

I did just that this morning. I agree wholeheartedly. It's just a shame, really. Hopefully, they will remedy this situation and educate/counsel their employees.

If I wasn't an RN, I might not report it. But I feel just like I am a mandatory reporter of abuse for the elderly and children, I am a mandatory "feedback giver." Unfortunately, they crossed someone who knows all too well exactly what ethical codes they have violated, not to mention HIPAA. I will let them know in writing, likely the PA, the MD, and the office manager. And I will be discontinuing care with them. I didn't want to add fuel the fire, but the PA's plan of care was completely inappropriate for my case. She wanted me to get allergy tested (right, b/c after 44 years of living, a brand new food allergy developed 2 weeks ago--yes, it can happen but it's unlikely.) And she recommended I take a medication with aspirin in it, which the MD expressly told all patients never to take. In fact, I have his printed packet stating not to take it. So odd. Having just gotten over a peptic ulcer d/t taking celebrex with nexium (also rx'd by a different PA)--which is not optimal to take as a bariatric patient, but is indicated sometimes, I am extremely leery of taking any NSAIDs or aspirin. I can say that I did personally grow from this and will be even more on guard to protect my patients. But it is just sad that people who are trusted with the care of others are so blase about it. Anyway, thanks folks for your help! I feel better just being able to vent! I will let you know how it goes.

For real!

I mean, I was the only patient there from 3-4. And they close at 4. Not to be d**k ex-ER nurse but that’s not that high stress. And I’ve been going there 2 years. It’s a casual pace compared to most practices. In all likelihood, I will blow it off. But it’s actually just sad. I feel worse for the pre-op people who are exposed to this brand new PA (they have been thru 8 in 2 years).

Is your FB name Jacksonsec? Here is a screenshot of mine.

Trying to find FB group. When I click on the links posted, I can't see it... I guess b/c it is private? Can someone add me? My FB name is Alexa Marlene. Thanks.

Hmmm.... yeah. I was in a decent amount of pain. Not the "worst pain ever" but a good 7/10. I don't know how anyone experienced no pain, but.... anyway, that was not my experience. LOL Thanks.

That is so awesome. I hope I am in the same boat. Impressive weight loss too! I never had c-sections so... yeah. But good to hear. Makes me a LOT more comfortable.

Hi folks. I'm about to have surgery tomorrow w/Fitzer at Reston. For whatever reason, I am having such a hard time processing that we do not go home on pain meds. I read and hear from other people with other surgeons and they are. So, is the way Fitzer is doing the surgery vastly different than other surgeons so it is less painful or this just a policy? Also, f/u question: when you went home, how many very painful days did you have and did straight Tylenol do the trick? I am just trying to get a sense of this. Thanks!

Sorry, I meant to reply to one above yours. to @Jacksonsec

What is the FB group called? Also, is it private or open? Thanks.