On 5/22/2023 Dr. Elahi implanted a Spinal Cord Stimulator into my back. Previous office visits medical issues were discussed, ongoing back pain, newly full shoulder replacement, etc. On surgery date it was reiterated to surgical staff not to mess up my shoulder replacement. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN. After the surgery, I wondered why my left shoulder was in pain. I was told by Haliegh(BS rep.) that it was probably because of how I was turned on the operating table. This was conveyed to me in person and via phone. E.R. visited to St. Joseph was needed due to pain, orthopedic surgeon referral and primary care dr. was suggested. OS was seen x-rays completed at Lodi memorial Hospital and referral to PT Solutions for physical therapy. Keep in mind, 4 days prior my OS stated I was doing exceptional well (documented in visit summary). Scheduling for August for right shoulder replacement was in the planning. Due to the issue of my left shoulder injury/pain, surgery has been cancelled and now having to wait.
Now I have small shocks throughout my body, numbness in hands have returned and previously non-existing sciatic nerve pain which leaves me sleeping in a recliner due to left shoulder pain, surgery sight tenderness and new sciatic pain on right side of body. Two more initial E.R. visits in Sept.-Lodi memorial and St. Joseph's Hospital-Stockton.
After several calls from St. Joseph staff checking on my shoulder pain, I contacted Dr. Elahi (not responsive). Also a few calls to and from BS. It took St. Joseph's upper management team (Matti 209-461-6838) to inform me that my arms during surgery were spread eagle and it wasn't necessary, that the surgery could have been completed without raising my left arm. After more than a month of phone calls, ST. Jospeh personally, called Dr. Elahi. I was told that anything in St. Joseph's operating room is by direction of the attending surgeon. Dr. Elahi proceeds to call me within the ending of talking with St. Joseph. He truly was not concerned with my injury, only that I was going to make a complaint which would come back to him.
Jumping forward (standing up and many breaks due to pain)
I was seen in his office on Sept. 26th, 2023, and the rep. from BS who usually is talkative was literally, a figure of a person (no verbalization at all). This was strange due to the fact; she was the one who kept telling me "It must have been the way you were turned on the table". I guess she was silenced. Dr. Elahi gave two alternatives:
1. let them recalibrate the device
2. take the device out
I decided on the latter. Especially, after enduring the ongoing pain, the strange behaviors from both Dr. Elahi and the noticeable disconnect from rep. from Boston Scientific. Surgery was set for Oct. 23, 2023 at St. Joseph Hospital. The surgery paper states on the top "As Soon As Possible". The new date is Oct. 9, 2023 (tomorrow).
I would have made this complaint many moons ago but dealing with the new shoulder injury, surgical site tenderness which remains today and sleep deprivation, I was and still am tired, stressed, and appalled.
This has taken me almost 4 hours to type. The pain is unbearable.
What kind of surgeon goes against a patient's overly requested plea: to be careful of their shoulder? I guess Dr. Elahi!!!
On surgery day it was clear of the needed changes. St. Joseph staff made sure I knew that a repositioning of my left arm would take place (Guessing -Pollo, I think they said). This was due to the injury reported from 5/23/2023 surgery on my left shoulder. After the surgery, Nikki Craig (St. Joseph Hospital/complaint Dept), pays me a personal visit in the recovery room (she wanted to put a face to the name/after we spoke several times). I was totally surprised and wondered if St. Joseph had reported the original complaint given in May, to the correct agency).
My discharge envelope had no documentation of a follow-up, and I had no idea there was staples in my back. I found this out after leaving Dr. Elahi s office a message on 10/11/2023 and receiving a call from his front office: Due to shooting pain up spine, lingering sciatic issues, no prescription for pain meds, MRI Dr. Elahi requested can't be completed for six week because of surgery (Nov. 21-Stockton Imaging) and requesting the need for a walker. The information of a follow-up was conveyed with "Dr. Elahi doesn't order or prescribe walkers", and St. Joseph should of put follow-up information in discharge paperwork. What does he do, after turning a person's life upside down?
Here we go!
On 10/17/2023 @10AM, I visited Dr. Elahi's office in Manteca. This was a follow-up on surgery performed on 10/09/2023. Once again, rep. was present from Boston Scientific without consent or any welcoming communication. Dr. Elahi continued to ask, "How are you feeling" even though I kept saying "Not good at all". The question was found to be repetitive and unnecessary. The rep. stood by the door and said absolutely nothing. (SEE FULL BBB) read more