1. < Lung Cancer

Lobectomy on Dec 12 and someone gave me bad story about surgeon HELP!

Posted by silvergirl29 @silvergirl29, Dec 7, 2023

So I have my upper right lobectomy on 12/12 my surgeon is using DaVinci robot. I heard once on a similar surgery where a rib had to be removed and downplayed it the persons clavicle now rubs on bone and hurts. They were told it happens sometimes. My cousins wife decided to call and tell me about an older IHSS client of hers who says that he insisted that she had lung cancer and needed lobectomy, refused to do a biopsy, took more out than he was supposed to and it turned out to not be cancer at all. I'm skeptical because I can't imagine ANY insurance company approving such an expensive procedure just on a surgeons word alone without a biopsy/labs to confirm especially Medicare/Partnership and my biopsy was done elsewhere and they referred me to Dr.Brusett . I have heard that he is really good and assume that learning DaVinci isn't a simple process so he must have skills. He has been doing them for years here locally and is one of maybe 2 local Drs. I have met him twice and felt comfortable around him. He has a reputation for being "arrogant/ brusque/mechanical" he didn't strike me that way at all and I think most surgeons I have met (quite a few at this point) do have that kind of personality and I'm not adding him to my circle of friends just counting on his expertise. I'm low key freaking the F out actually. He was involved in a 2002 case here in Redding where they were found to have performed 5 needless heart surgeries and Redding Medical/Tenet health was sued. It was all over the news but the other 2 involved were more at liability and his name wasn't out there.I remembered them ,only saw he was part of that with some deep google, He lost his license for a time, had probation and monitoring and complied. Also, this doesn't speak to his surgical ability to me, neither does personality. I'm low key freaked out and don't know what to do. What would you do?! I don't want to freak out and dramatically make a scene.HELP!!!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

pb50 | @pb50 | Dec 7, 2023

Well that gets a girls attention doesn’t it? Are you in Redding PA?

REPLY
pml | @pml | Dec 7, 2023

Hi Silvergirl29,
What a confusing situation. I would suggest putting your procedure on hold for a while. My husband has lung cancer and he had a lobectomy. It was just fine! A lobectomy can be put on hold for a little while. In the meantime, do as much research about the surgeon or surgeons you may have do the lobectomy. Start doing a Google search with just their name and go from there. The one you were referred to doesn't sound like the best. Perhaps you could find a better one. Both good and bad things can happen with medical procedures. It's your body and your money. You are in charge. Do what you feel is best. Pray about it and put it all in God's hands. I will say a prayer for you also.
Best wishes,
PML

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Dec 7, 2023

@silvergirl29, I can understand how this is concerning. We put trust in our doctors and we depend on them to do the right thing, each and every time, especially surgeons. In reading your messages, you make many points that exhibit confidence in the surgeon and the method of the procedure. It’s also normal to be on edge before a surgery, especially when you find new info like this. You need to believe that you are doing the right thing, no one else can tell you what to do.
What might help restore your confidence?, did you have a chance to ask how often he performs similar surgeries?

REPLY
1 reply
silvergirl29 | @silvergirl29 | Dec 7, 2023
In reply to @pb50 "Sent you a private message." + (show)
@pb50

Sent you a private message.

Jump to this post

Thanks 🙂

REPLY
silvergirl29 | @silvergirl29 | Dec 7, 2023
In reply to @pml "Hi Silvergirl29, What a confusing situation. I would suggest putting your procedure on hold for a..." + (show)
@pml

Hi Silvergirl29,
What a confusing situation. I would suggest putting your procedure on hold for a while. My husband has lung cancer and he had a lobectomy. It was just fine! A lobectomy can be put on hold for a little while. In the meantime, do as much research about the surgeon or surgeons you may have do the lobectomy. Start doing a Google search with just their name and go from there. The one you were referred to doesn't sound like the best. Perhaps you could find a better one. Both good and bad things can happen with medical procedures. It's your body and your money. You are in charge. Do what you feel is best. Pray about it and put it all in God's hands. I will say a prayer for you also.
Best wishes,
PML

Jump to this post

Thanks much 🙂

REPLY
silvergirl29 | @silvergirl29 | Dec 7, 2023
In reply to @lls8000 "@silvergirl29, I can understand how this is concerning. We put trust in our doctors and we..." + (show)
@lls8000

@silvergirl29, I can understand how this is concerning. We put trust in our doctors and we depend on them to do the right thing, each and every time, especially surgeons. In reading your messages, you make many points that exhibit confidence in the surgeon and the method of the procedure. It’s also normal to be on edge before a surgery, especially when you find new info like this. You need to believe that you are doing the right thing, no one else can tell you what to do.
What might help restore your confidence?, did you have a chance to ask how often he performs similar surgeries?

Jump to this post

He has done a lot of them, there were 3 follow ups in his office just the day I went in last week! The main complaints online were personality and I'm not in need of friends!

REPLY
cmcguire10 | @cmcguire10 | Dec 8, 2023

Hi Silvergiirl- Honestly, I don’t think I would go with him. Trust your gut! Are you scared if the surgery or the Surgeon? I really do believe that a Surgeon’s relationship with their patient can affect a lot of different things through this process. If they have NO bedside manner but you know and feel they’re the best, that will work, but if you’re not sure you can trust them and it might be a scam, definitely get a second opinion! I did not have a biopsy before my procedure, but I had no doubt what they were telling me. I was lucky to be at Mayo. They did the testing afterward, and, of course, it was adenocarcinoma. If you are that freaked out, which I understand, get a second opinion if possible. Don’t settle! Good Luck! God Bless you!

REPLY
jeffsmock | @jeffsmock | Dec 8, 2023

I'm sorry I don't have any answers for you. I had double lobectomy on my right lung, January 2021. They removed it through my back. I was to sick to be nervous about the surgery. I just thought I was going to die, and excepted it. Now I'm nervous about everything. But I am alive. Hope you get answers that make you feel more comfortable.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.