Has anyone had a successful experience with any doctors in Cleveland that they would like to share? Also a Mom looking for a good outcome for her son.
hi! did you ever find someone good in Cleveland? thank you!
Looking for the same.
Saw Amitabh Goel at UH Geneva since he was on this list of surgeons on this forum. In general I try to avoid bashing people and I was going to stay silent on this but given how my situation unfolded I think its appropriate to share.
I saw Goel in 2012 when it appeared I was starting to get a sinus. He said to just keep it clean and dry. Wash it twice and day and apply baby powder. Also gave me a month of antibiotics.
So I was not the best patient. I shower daily and applied baby powder most days but I wasnt extremely vigilant. Still I shower every day unless theres a special reason such as camping or whatever.
Fast forward to Feb of this year and this thing is giving me trouble with 2 sinuses and nasty abscesses. I see Goel again figuring its time for some sort of surgery. He acts like surgery is ludicrous and tells me to keep it clean and dry and it will go away. More antibiotics too. He halfway blames me for not being clean enough.
I should have sought a second opinion right then. I didnt because of his demeanor of confidence and dismissiveness about the potential for surgical necessity.
Just had another nasty flare up that prompted me to go to the ER and a general surgeon cut 2 abscesses so they could drain and put me on antibiotics. Said I needed surgery very soon and it was the only option. Said the condition was advanced and that my only option is some sort of barbaric surgery where I have an open wound for 8 weeks that needs packing.
I am hoping that such a medieval technique is not the necessary case and some of the less invasive techniques will work. I am trying to find a Dr that will take care of it soon but its hard in NE OH area and with Covid going on.
My issue with Goel is that I think he was very wrong about me needing surgery and his attitude dissuaded me from exploring that option more thoroughly. In general, I do not get upset about bedside manner and I would prefer honesty and directness over politeness, especially if it is coupled with competence.
Now I am concerned that I am not eligible for some of the less invasive options given that I have sinuses on each side. Certainly if I would have pursued surgery in 2012 I would not be in this position but perhaps even in Feb I could have avoided this.
I was set to see Dr Rosengart in Pittsburgh but he canceled appointments due to Covid. They rescheduled me with Dr Jason Sperry at the same facility. I am not sure if he deals with Pilonidals as I cant find information on that.
So as a conclusion, and a reiteration, Amitabh Goel is listed as a viable surgeon on this website but from my experience he is reluctant to recommend a surgical route.
And to be clear, I certainly own a lot of the blame. I could have sought another doctor immediately, and that is why I am writing this post, to recommend you all do so. And I could have been more vigilant with cleaning, although I dont think washing and applying baby powder multiple times a day for the rest of my life is a reasonable way to live.
So finally, if anyone has doctor in OH PA or IN that would be awesome.
