I am writing this review to document my personal experience at this surgery center, with the hope…read morethat it helps future patients make informed decisions. What should have been a difficult but manageable operation instead became an experience marked by significant stress, inconsistent information, financial pressure, and what I experienced as a lack of post-operative support.
I was referred to this center by my GP and told the situation was urgent. I was seen the same day. The nurse who initially brought me back was polite overall, but when I nervously asked, "Is this going to suck?" she replied "yes" and walked out. While this may seem minor, it increased my anxiety at an already stressful moment.
When Dr. Henry examined me, he strongly recommended that my operation be performed at this center. I later learned that he is a part owner of the surgery center. I was told the procedure could be done the next day. I was also told that having the operation at Allen Hospital would likely involve a longer wait and that the hospital might not have access to the same long-acting local anesthetic, which I was told could provide pain relief for several days rather than hours. Based on this information, I chose to proceed at this center.
On the morning of surgery, I arrived on time and was informed that the procedure would cost $2,700, with 25 percent required up front. I explained that I could not afford that amount and offered $100 with the intention of setting up a payment plan. While standing at the front desk, I heard staff discuss whether they should "allow" this arrangement. This interaction was embarrassing and extremely stressful for me.
I was eventually allowed to proceed and taken to pre-op. I was anxious about general anesthesia and was told that both the surgeon and anesthesiologist would speak with me beforehand. I waited for over two hours. When I asked about this, the nurse appeared surprised that neither doctor had spoken with me yet.
When Dr. Henry eventually came in, he referenced a discussion I was expected to have already had with the anesthesiologist. When I explained that this had not happened, there appeared to be confusion. This lack of coordination immediately before surgery significantly increased my anxiety.
I ultimately spoke with both doctors and was again told about the long-acting local anesthetic. I was also told I would be prescribed a specific antibiotic after surgery. I was then taken into the operating room.
When I woke up in recovery, I began spitting up blood and had severe throat pain. When I looked in the mirror, my uvula appeared swollen, bloody, and injured. I asked to see the surgeon but was told he had already left. A member of the anesthesia team evaluated me and stated that this was not typical, but that it can occur. In the days that followed, I developed a painful sore on my uvula that lasted several days, along with a persistent sensation of throat obstruction when swallowing. This was frightening and very uncomfortable.
I was discharged with post-operative paperwork and left with my fiancé.
At the pharmacy, I was provided two antibiotics that did not match what I recalled being told I would receive, nor what was listed in my paperwork. Additionally, the paperwork did not contain specific information about the long-acting local anesthetic that had been emphasized as a reason for choosing this facility. The paperwork instead contained general information stating that local anesthesia typically lasts four to eight hours. When I later asked about this discrepancy, I was told that the paperwork contains general descriptions rather than drug-specific information. Given that patients are told they may not remember post-operative discussions due to general anesthesia, I believe accurate written instructions are especially important.
Following surgery, I experienced severe and ongoing pain. I contacted the on-call service multiple times and felt that my concerns were increasingly unwelcome. At one point, I went to the emergency room due to pain. The ER provided treatment and then contacted the general surgery team, who advised that the treatment should not have been given. Receiving conflicting guidance between providers significantly increased my anxiety and fear for my safety.
Most recently, I contacted the on-call service again with concerns about a possible infection. I did not receive a timely response and was later advised by the answering service to go to the emergency room. When I called again, a doctor eventually returned my call, but the interaction felt rushed and dismissive.
There is no patient portal or secure messaging system available to communicate with this office. I raised this concern and was told it would be addressed, but it was not.
At this point, I am at home experiencing fear, pain, and frustration related to this experience. I feel that I made decisions based on incomplete or unclear information, and once the procedure was completed, I did not feel adequat
