Shocked and hurt by the most unprofessional behaviour!

<p>Dr Maasdorp has been my ob/gyn for three years. I went routinely for checkups, and was charmed by his friendly and funny bedside manner. I recommended him to everyone, much to my embarrassment now. In July 2016, I noticed a swelling on my inner *****, and my GP drained it for me, 3 months later it was back, and after draining it a second time she recommended I see my gynae. At Dr Maasdorp, I waited an extra 2 HOURS after my appointment time, after which he rushed me through a very hurried "consultation". With no proper examination, he decided I needed to go under the knife ASAP, as I had a Bartholin cyst. It was not infected, or causing me any pain or harm, but he insisted he had to remove it to prevent future problems. As he had earned my trust, I trusted his decision and scheduled the op for the next week. During this consultation, all he told me was that he would remove it and that recovery will be a quick 3 days. He made it sound extremely easy and painless. I informed him I was busy with a very stressful time at work, and would not be free for a longer recovery period. He laughed and insisted I'll be fine. The morning of the op, his receptionist <strong>Tari Mudzvinarombo</strong> - and I am naming her specifically because of how disrespectful and unprofessional her behaviour is! - phoned me and my parents multiple times. When I reached the office she was relieved, and said that she forgot to call me the day before to give me the necessary pre-op instructions. She forced me to sign an indemnity agreement. When reading it, I noticed that nothing had been discussed in my consultation, not the risks involved, or how extensive the recovery period can be. I told her I'd sign it but I wanted him to come see me before the op so I can be fully informed. </p> <p>It took two nurses and a personal call from the anesthesiologist to get him to come talk to me, but he finally did. By that time, I had gotten advice from the head nurse and fellow patients who'd had the procedure, all who told me that the pain lasts a minimum of two weeks. It turns out the op was not nearly as simple and pain-free as I was told. I repeated that I could not afford such a long recovery period, and he agreed, suggesting that we move it up a month to December 2016 when things at work calm down. He was friendly about it! I also told him in no uncertain terms that I need to be properly informed about the risks involved and what to expect, and he agreed wholeheartedly. He gave me his personal cellphone number, and asked me to call him so he can consult with me over the phone. I was happy with that and went home.</p> <p>Two weeks before the op I called him around lunchtime to have the consultation, he answered and said he was still busy with clients, but to call back at 16:30 when he will be finished, and we can chat as long as we want. I said no problem. When I called back however, there was no answer. This started a very long charade which I won't bore you with, but the bottom line is the following: He refused to take any of my calls, and got Tari - his disgustingly rude receptionist - to call me instead after days of trying to get in touch with him, to ask me what the hell my problem is and why I am bothering him. I calmly explained the situation to her. She told me that had no right to a telephonic consultation, that he never does that and that I am ridiculous to expect special treatment! I was shocked. I told her that I don't understand the problem - it was HIS idea that I call him for the consultation, otherwise why would he have given me his cellphone number?? She said she will talk to him and get back to me. This went on for a full week. Her calling me, insulting me every which way, me sticking to my story and repeating that all I want is to be fully informed before I allow this man to cut me open, which is fully within my rights, and her saying she'll talk to him again. Finally, she said that the Dr denies ever having promised me that, and that if I really want a consultation (according to her he told me everything in the first consultation and therefore I am just being a pain), I have to drive through and pay for one myself, as my specialist fund was exhausted (it was December). I told her I didn't have the money to do that, and even so, that means me taking off work, putting in leave, driving all the way to the hospital in JHB CBD (I work in Pta), just to consult with him for ten minutes! I repeated for the millionth time that I really like him, that I don't have a problem with the op, but just felt like I deserved to be informed of the risks and the recovery involved. Just let him keep his word and give me a quick call. She admitted that she told him I thought he was ***********, that he doesn't do his job, that I am rude to her, that I am a **** and proceeded to order me to get a different gynaecologist.</p> <p>All this time, I have no idea who was speaking the truth - since Donald still blocks all my calls I cannot get through to him to speak to him about it personally. And Tari, with no integrity and no honesty whatsoever, has probably been lying to both of us the entire time.</p> <p>Shocked by the ********* behaviour of this Dr whom I trusted, and hurt by the wrongful accusations thrown at me, I did seek another gynae. I was told by him that I never should have gotten that operation anyway, as the cyst was drained at the time and therefore Donald would have had no idea where to cut because you can't see the cyst unless it is swollen by fluid, which means he would have just been cutting away and quite possibly causing nerve damage in a very sensitive area.</p> <p>If you are looking for a gynae who is friendly when there is nothing wrong with you, feel free to go to Dr Maasdorp and his receptionist from hell. But God forbid you actually need him, because you will be abandoned and left to pick up the pieces of pure incompetence!</p>