How do you get referred to a different surgeon?

Public Archive
1

Hi
I would like to know what I have to do if I want to be referred to a different consultant/surgeon at a different hospital.

The surgeon I have had for the last year has made a complete hash of what was once my breast and I have no faith left in him and would like a second opinion from a surgeon who has been recommended in another hospital.

Last year I had a WLE, then a re-excision, then developed an abcess (which I’m convinced was caused by the surgeon cos I’ve never seen him wash his hands before he examines me!) I had the abcess drained and packed then a few weeks later I had my mastectomy and a tissue expander was fitted. The tissue expander never felt right and over the course of 8 months I was repeatedly given anti biotics culminating in the expander trying to make its way out of my skin and having to be removed. By that time the infection was so deep that 2 months later I still have an open wound which has to be dressed daily and the surgeon says he can’t do anything until the tissue softens which may take months.

This may be right but after all this I don’t trust him to be able to make a good job of anything when I eventually get round to having reconstruction.

If I go to see another surgeon will that automatically take me off the current surgeons list?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Debs
x

2

Debs

Sorry to hear you have had such a rubbish time with everything.

Go to see your GP and tell him you want a referral. If you know who you want to go to see instead, I would phone his / her secretary, say that you’re planning on getting a referral and check out things like info they need and time scales etc. then after you have seen the new surgeon and assuming you both are happy, you can just transfer.

Shouldn’t be a hassle. If you have any problems, you can contact the PALS at your local hospital (Patient Advice and Liaison Service).

If you’re going for a second opinion, you shouldn’t be taken off the surgeons list (though after what you have said, I’m sure I wouldn’t want to be on his list!)

Good luck

Laurie x

3

Thanks Laurie. I think I will start putting the wheels in motion next week
X

4

I spoke to my BCN yesterday and she is going to get me referred. I’ve decided I will probably go for DIEP reconstruction now because I think its the only way I will get a good result now. Luckily my surgeon doesn’t do that kind of recon so its a good excuse to go to someone else!