I live in Dallas. I wasn't going to come all the way to Houston just to see this guy. I figured these doctor's would know best, it's their specialty. I spent over 200 bucks just to see those 2 doctors with co-pay from my insurance. I was the stupid one, I was going to go ahead with the surgery. I trusted these doctors...then it was my dad who said enough of this BS, come home! The best part is, I was in a hospital with 5 different buildings and the doctor was telling me to go to some medical plaza to get the surgery done!! I told him, why would I have to do that when I'm already in a hospital. These clowns make no sense at all. He told me it's because this hospital is for major surgeries and you could get bumped at any time. I said, "OK, I can wait all day if I need to. Better yet, I live 5 minutes away, why not come to my apartment and perform the surgery?" My insurance company wasn't going to pay for the hospital charge, which was coming up to over 1600 bucks. On top of that, I needed to pay an additional 2000 up front and then my insurance was going to pay 75% of the remaining. Completely insane. Like I said, Dr. T just burst out laughing when I told him they said the only option was surgery. I just don't understand why it has to be so difficult...
So you saw two doctors (orthopedics?) who both told you the same thing, that you needed surgery? I assume they reviewed the Xray (not MRI right?) and stated that you needed surgery. You then came to Houston to see Dr. T who did not think you needed surgery and popped your finger back into place. Did Dr. T review the Xray?
Yes he did, for free I might add. He took a angle shot of something those other guys didn't, my hand straight on the table, palms facing down. He showed me that the bones were jammed. He said once he takes them apart, the rest will heal itself, which makes perfect sense to me. You guys aren't trying to understand what I'm trying to say. These doctors want your money, just like the dentists out there (I started a thread about that too). Obviously they are going to say you need surgery every chance they get. Why wouldn't they? They show you your x-ray and point out how its broken. They put a splint on it and then take another x-ray and say some BS like, "Yep, it's not going to heal properly, you need surgery." Seriously, my dad has been in this country for a long time now and knows the scams. He's been hospitalized numerous times before because of stomach problems. He understands how this business works. I feel sorry for all you guys who spend 1000's each year for medical treatment, whatever it may be. Houston is great for cancer treatment. That's completely different and I can't argue with that. I'm just talking about your every day, normal illnesses. Strep throat, migraines, warts, busted fingers, colonoscopy, get your heart/blood checked...why go to a hospital in those cases? For stuff like that, it's best to go to people like Dr. T. Unfortunately, he's the only one I know of his kind... Right now I'm cured. In 10 days I can remove these bandages and continue with my normal life. I'm in no pain whatsoever. This is just bogus. If Dr. T wanted my money, he would've told me the same damn thing. But this guy is an honest, genuine human being, and I respect him for that.
Umm, I suppose I understand your reasoning but at the end of the day it comes down to trusting that the professionals are being ethical in their diagnosis. I understand that we inherently put more trust into someone who seemingly saves us money (like your doctor) because, in our minds, we know he could theoretically try to convince us that we need additional (more expensive) procedures. And we feel comfort in that. Then we wonder why nobody else does this. Then we start to distrust everybody else in the industry -- thinking that they're crooks, because *our* guy is the only 'straight shooter' of the bunch. Kinda like when we get bids on car repair and we find that one mechanic who says it's actually something simple that will only cost a fraction of what everybody else says. I get that. We tend to trust these people more. But, at the end of the day, how do we *ever* know that doctors are being unscrupulous in their diagnosis and course of treatment? By shopping it around and getting four or five opinions just to make sure there's no variance between them? I don't know about you, but chances are I'm not doing that. For the most part I'm about developing relationships -- whether it be with plumbers, electricians, or doctors. And when I find one that I'm comfortable with -- and I trust -- I'm probably going to stick with him. Even *if* I could possibly "save" more by going elsewhere. But that's just me.
I have doctors in my family...yes, the system is very messy here and it's all about the money. I'm not saying Dr. T didn't fix you...but he's shady man. Dr. T is a low time scammer himself with his weightloss programs. I'm glad you got it fixed for cheap and hopefully it stays that way...but Dr. T is a nice guy and all...not sure if he's the benchmark for integrity though. That 2 minute physical he's famous for is good because it's cheap and not thorough. Just saying you should be careful with Dr. T. One thing good about the US system is that those people with rare problems get helped here more than anywhere else.
How can a doctor scam someone with a weight-loss program? Is he prescribing special pills or vitamins or something?
I don't know if he still does those sessions. It's the oldest trick in the book, and it's been exposed on local news a few times already...not Dr. T specifically, but the pills. They're these magical pills that make you lose weight, but the reality is that all they do is make you lose water, and it's only temporary...so it's no real diet at all. Mostly fools fall for that stuff. I know for sure Dr. T was running it, but that thing is so 90's...with the internet and all nowadays, I don't think that scam can work anymore. But then, I'm surprised that so many cons still work...but there's the freakin internet...it's so great in terms of making idiots able to be more wise to this type of stuff. Hey, I liked Dr. T. My only dealings with him were in Middle School. I knew I figured I was healthy and he signed my papers and all. All the guys who didn't go to Dr. T paid more and got their balls looked at iirc...now I still am not sure if they're BSing about getting their balls cupped. I have no idea what a proper physical is, but I'm damn sure all of us that went to Dr. T did not get a proper physical. He passed every young obese ****** out there. Well, exercise is good for kids, so i guess it's alright. But you get the point. He's a cut corners old school doctor. It's like if your car is broke. You can take it into the dealership, get it fixed and have them bend you over on pricing. Or you can go to mechanic joe's in the hood, get fake inspection stickers and have them do enough just to make it run. Dealerships, like most doctors, are looking to make as much money possible...unneeded work etc. Mechanic Joe is someone who will hook you up with a good deal and make your car work. Dr. T is mechanic Joe. I wouldn't be surprised if Dr. T has messed up many times before. I don't think he's as bad as those illegal doctors that got jailed and all. I don't think he's bad at all. Just saying, if I was rich, I wouldn't go to Dr. T, but if I'm in a bind, then he's not a bad option at all.
