Anyone seen Dr. Robert Thompson of WUSTL?

[Jo*mar]

I was wondering too, about the poor post op care, is there a thread or post link with the info, it might help the poster to know the facts & how long ago it happened.

[tossucks]

Jomar and Stos2, I thought there was a thread, but can not find it. I know member Olecyn is familiar with recent issues that patients have had with his after care. He recently dropped a number of patients that he had been seeing post op, saying he would no longer be tending their post op care, even though he had signged contracts that he would. I personaly know a number of patients this has happend to. It is common practice as well that after he has preformed surgery that he no longer sees the patient for post op follow up care. The patient is seen by his assistant only. It is my opionion that a surgeon who takes your money should do post opp follow up appointments where he sees you personally for at least 1yr to track your progress. Any competent surgeon who about more than just your money would do this. IMO.
FYI no he was not my surgeon, but I have met him, I selected another.
Maybe Olecyn will chime in if she sees this....

[stos2]

Originally Posted by tossucks

Jomar and Stos2, I thought there was a thread, but can not find it. I know member Olecyn is familiar with recent issues that patients have had with his after care. He recently dropped a number of patients that he had been seeing post op, saying he would no longer be tending their post op care, even though he had signged contracts that he would. I personaly know a number of patients this has happend to. It is common practice as well that after he has preformed surgery that he no longer sees the patient for post op follow up care. The patient is seen by his assistant only. It is my opionion that a surgeon who takes your money should do post opp follow up appointments where he sees you personally for at least 1yr to track your progress. Any competent surgeon who about more than just your money would do this. IMO.
FYI no he was not my surgeon, but I have met him, I selected another.
Maybe Olecyn will chime in if she sees this....

Just confirming that you are referring to Dr. Thompson right? One of our junior members has an appointment with him this month and I have one in June. Thanks for your input, it is very valuable to be able to make an informed decision. Did you pick up on anything else, when you visited him? Our gut is usually right. Please share. Thanks so much for your time.

[stos2]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

I was wondering too, about the poor post op care, is there a thread or post link with the info, it might help the poster to know the facts & how long ago it happened.

Jo mar How do you search for Olecyn's thread about Dr. Thompson? Please help.

[nospam]

Originally Posted by stos2

Jo mar How do you search for Olecyn's thread about Dr. Thompson? Please help.

Olecyn does not appear to be a detractor of Dr. Thompson - http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...327#post769327

The only negative comments about him I have seen have been from tossucks. All points of view here are helpful, but don't take any as gospel.

I believe it is standard practice for many surgeons to discharge patients from their care after a year for most procedures unless additional surgery is required (as was the case with my cervical fusion). Some patients are not in great overall health and have unrealistic expectations of their surgeons. Pain management or primary care is not a surgeon's responsibility and sometimes patients have to be cut loose. Dr. Thompson has resources setup for patient management that appear to be quite thorough (including pain management). He may not have had all of that a few years ago.

Personally, I would recommend those in close proximity follow through with Dr. Thompson and ask the tough questions about after care (many questions are answered on his website). I choose not to travel to see him but I definitely would have if he were within driving distance or if I had no local options.

[rjewels13]

I am a patient of Dr. Thompson. Since I'm not having the surgery (I'm improving after 6 months of PT) it seems as if I'm seeing his NP now. I'm not real sure how my thoughts are about this Dr. I felt many times that I haven't been listened to as the patient. The anterior scalene and pec minor blocks gave me zero relief and he still suggested surgery. I'm glad I stuck it out with PT and am continuing that route for now.

My gut doesn't tell me that this TOS is the actual problem. I am not a medical professional, though!

Good luck of you go see him. I believe he knows what he's doing. I just wasn't or aren't convinced that I need or want this major surgery. My range of motion was perfect until the muscle blocks. The next day, I couldn't even reach above my head. I've had many issues and wish that those types of diagnostic tests could be done at a second appt instead of the very first. His office is 3 hrs away from me.

[Jo*mar]

a quick search brings up this post - no drs names mentioned..
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post848136-7.html

You can select an advanced search with the link in my siggy - by user name & then drs name as the search word..

I know from past postings, quite often surgeons would get patient thru the actual surgical recovery, and then if pain/sx was still an issue send them on to pain management.

[stos2]

Originally Posted by rjewels13

I am a patient of Dr. Thompson. Since I'm not having the surgery (I'm improving after 6 months of PT) it seems as if I'm seeing his NP now. I'm not real sure how my thoughts are about this Dr. I felt many times that I haven't been listened to as the patient. The anterior scalene and pec minor blocks gave me zero relief and he still suggested surgery. I'm glad I stuck it out with PT and am continuing that route for now.

My gut doesn't tell me that this TOS is the actual problem. I am not a medical professional, though!

Good luck of you go see him. I believe he knows what he's doing. I just wasn't or aren't convinced that I need or want this major surgery. My range of motion was perfect until the muscle blocks. The next day, I couldn't even reach above my head. I've had many issues and wish that those types of diagnostic tests could be done at a second appt instead of the very first. His office is 3 hrs away from me.

Thanks so much for taking the time to voice out your honest thoughts. I started PT yesterday and I am hopeful that that's all I will need. After reading your story I feel I am definitely going to give PT a few months instead of a few weeks.

[tossucks]

Originally Posted by nospam

Olecyn does not appear to be a detractor of Dr. Thompson - http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...327#post769327

The only negative comments about him I have seen have been from tossucks. All points of view here are helpful, but don't take any as gospel.

I believe it is standard practice for many surgeons to discharge patients from their care after a year for most procedures unless additional surgery is required (as was the case with my cervical fusion). Some patients are not in great overall health and have unrealistic expectations of their surgeons. Pain management or primary care is not a surgeon's responsibility and sometimes patients have to be cut loose. Dr. Thompson has resources setup for patient management that appear to be quite thorough (including pain management). He may not have had all of that a few years ago.

Personally, I would recommend those in close proximity follow through with Dr. Thompson and ask the tough questions about after care (many questions are answered on his website). I choose not to travel to see him but I definitely would have if he were within driving distance or if I had no local options.

MY word is far from gospel. I am just reporting what I have heard directly from patients of his I am in contact with. People make their own choices and I encourage that. I personaly feel an obligation to warn people about what I have seen other go through. Patients expectations are one thing, what they are told is another. Being discharged after a year is fine, but not seeing them after the surgery, and passing the patient onto the staff is another.
BTW that was an old post of Cindys that was brought up, Im not concerned if she responds or not.
My opinion only about dr. Thompson....nothing else.

[jkl626]

I agree with marc. sometimes the best surgeons dont have the best bedside manner.i.e. Dr Ahn. And Thompson is one of the TOp in the country .Most important to get all your questions answered. Have you tried calling him or e-mailing him before you travel? some dr's will and some wont.