Surgeon put titanium clips during breast cancer surgery against my wishes
Surgeon put titanium clips in my breast during breast cancer surgery against my wishes. I expressly told the surgeons nurse during pre-op that I did NOT want the clips placed in my breast. I understand why and what for but declined. How to handle this wrong doing. My body my choice.
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Hi @sailorgal747, I'm sorry your wishes were not followed. You could contact the hospital's patient relations department as a first step. Large hospitals often have a compliance office which has a variety of functions but also will investigate unresolved patient issues.
Did you discuss this with the surgeon during a presurgical appointment or send a message via the patient portal? When you sign the surgical consent form any variation from the standard surgical procedure needs to be noted. When I read my consent form it gave permission for the sugeon to do an axillary dissection rather than a sentinal lymph node biopsy if she thought it was necessary. I told her I was not comfortable with that and would have a discussion as well as a second surgery if necessary after the pathology report came back. The consent form was changed before I signed it.
The pre-op nurse's role is to get the patient ready for surgery. She would probably not be present during the surgery and might never have seen the surgeon if someone else wheeled you into the operating room. If there is a last minute change or health update you can always ask to see the surgeon before things begin. Important medical information needs to be put in writing rather than delivered orally.
I have heard of someone who had her clips removed after she developed an allergic reaction so removal is a possibility. All the best.
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