Dr. Steven C. Dennis M.D. Doctor operated and refused to see me when complication set in. Newport Beach California

I would like to start this by saying I stumbled across this site and report in looking for Dr. Dennis's current info to give to a friend that is having back problems. I took the time to register and write this because of what Dr. Dennis did for me. I had fusion surgery for two herniated discs, L4-L5, L5-S1, seven years ago in 2003. One disc was herniated 9mm out and 11mm up my spine the other was 7mm, I know what back pain is. When I came to in post op after four and a half hours of surgery the constant pain down my right leg was gone. Don't get me wrong, I just went through major surgery which included installation of six screws and two rods, I wasn't pain free but that pain was gone. This woman does not say what type of procedure she had but I doubt if was as major as mine. Two co-workers also had surgery (laminectomys)  by Dr. Dennis before I did (that's how I found him) and came back 100%. One is a carpenter and the other is a plumber, it's not like they have a desk job. My only regret about Dr. Dennis is that I didn't find him sooner. I would send my children to him.  I would highly recommend Dr. Dennis and Hoag hospital to any one who needs back surgery.  

Newport Orthopedic Institute prides itself on our physician-patient relationships. In order for these relationships to be successful it requires a mutual respect from both sides. It cannot be a one-sided endeavor. The patient must take responsibility and be an active participant in their care. As previously stated in the response from Nurse.ray, medical ethics, as well as our malpractice carrier, require that the patient be seen and evaluated by the physician before continuing to be provided medications and treatment.

In a situation where a patient will not come in to the office for follow-up visits, despite multiple attempts by the office to arrange this, we have no other option but to discontinue the patient's care. During this process, the patient is given a grace period to find a new physician, provided the appropriate information to assist in the process of locating a physician, and the patient's primary care physician is notified. Newport Orthopedic Institute strives to provide comprehensive orthopedic care in a compassionate and caring environment for all our patients.

You said in your complaint that you didn't return for follow-up appointments when asked to do so ("telling my husband to bring me in for a follow up visit and he told them he couldn't...") - even though your condition (as you described it) clearly indicated that you needed to see the doctor.

Then, in spite of the fact that you refused to return for follow-ups so that the doctor could evaluate/treat your current condition, you apparently attempted to get the doctor to prescribe pain meds for you anyway. ("because...i needed pain med's...")

So. Based on YOUR actions, the doctor made the appropriate decision to officially release you as his patient. This is standard practice. Doctors can't legally or ethically treat patients that they can't see face-to-face. It would be unreasonable to expect to remain under this doctor's care when you didn't return for necessary follow-up appointments. The doctor did nothing wrong.

Since you chose to seek treatment at the ER, you're responsible for paying for it. $1000 sounds pretty reasonable for an ER visit like the one you described.

Your assertion that "most Attorneys don't want to fight the system" is baseless. No attorney would take your case because you HAVE NO CASE! You made the decision to not return to the doctor when you were supposed to do so. If your health has suffered as a result, then YOU bear responsibility for that.

If you're still having problems, then the logical thing to do is: find a new doctor!