Riva Road Surgical Center

My 1st surgery ever at age 41 … if this is what surgery is like with all those amazing dr’s and nurses (who btw, I just want to be friends with now) I would do this all the time! From entering the front door to leaving I felt nothing but love, great energy and fully taken care of like mama would’ve done. Gina at the front desk was funny, so engaging. GiGi got me and took me back. She was warm and fuzzy and adorable. Super sweet and very attentive. My other nurse who did my IV and sat with me we jumped right into good conversation we things we had in common and because I was so at ease I forgot her name. (Claudette?) Then of course Dr. Gina Massoglia who I have had the pleasure of meeting before came in and she is possibly the most knowledgeable Dr I’ve ever come across. You know the kind of… you write down everything you want to ask even the dumb stuff you feel is common sense. Well you never have to ask it because she already answers it when she’s talking. I felt perfectly safe and comfortable and that’s what you want in a surgical team! Days before my surgery everyone kept asking me if I was nervous and I really wasn’t. I kept waiting for the nerves and anxiety to kick in- I mean HEY this is surgery!! Those feelings never came. Not even when I was in the OR. Dr. Gina rubbed my arm as I fell asleep and boom I was awake. With all of my new friends (staff) right there with me. It was truly an incredible experience and if I ever need their specialty’s ever again count me in!!

Unlike large hospital surgical centers Which can be a bit cold and impersonal, This facility and staff are sympathetic to the patient and puts them at ease throughout the whole process. Doctor, Anesthesiologist, Nurses and staff were great.

The nurse called the day after surgery and when I told her I was doing everything they told me to and still in unbearable pain, to the point where I haven't eaten in 36 hours, her response was to keep doing what I'm doing and that the pain wouldn't get to a 0. Prior to surgery, I explained to the doctor that I've had trouble managing pain after precious surgeries. She also gaslight and dismissed me and prescribed the same medication she prescribes for everyone, as if all bodies experience pain and metabolize medications exactly the same. If you like medical professionals gaslighting you while you're suffering, this is the place to go!

This is a warning to anyone who may have a surgery or procedure at Riva Road Surgical Center. If something goes awry, do not expect for them to do the right thing or take responsibility. I understand that Riva Road Surgical Center was acquired by a corporation this past year (United Surgical Partners International - USPI). I had surgery recently and it was a much different experience than I had experienced there previously over the last few years. This particular surgery included being assigned anesthesiologist Peter Craig who completely ignored my drug sensitivities and my wishes. Although my medical records clearly stated that I had serious adverse reactions to a particular drug including previous allergic reaction to that drug - and I specifically told him not to administer that drug to me - he did anyway, and then lied to me. There were other issues with him, but these are the most egregious. I had both a significant adverse reaction, as expected, and clear sensitivity/allergic reaction to that and other drugs. I reported this very timely to Riva Road Surgical Center and after "review" their response, in part, about Peter Craig's actions was as follows: "No medication error occurred during your procedure. Dr. Craig made a professional medical decision to administer [the drug] as part of your surgical plan.. We regret that you experienced strong and uncomfortable side effects post-operatively....We respect your wish to avoid such side effects in the future and your request will remain part of the medical record." The future? IT WAS ALREADY DOCUMENTED IN MY MEDICAL RECORD THAT I WOULD HAVE THIS ADVERSE REACTION [emphasis because their response was so ridiculous]. Essentially, Riva Road Surgical Center's position was that although it was documented in my medical record that I had an allergy to this drug and paradoxical adverse effects, we support that he administered this drug to you without your consent and against your wishes. We regret you had yet another adverse reaction to this drug. I would never return to Riva Road Surgical Center .

If Sayan is your Doc have him prescribe you pain meds before the day of surgery. This way you don’t need to have your partner running around post surgery the day of trying to fill the script while you’re at home in pain. Or at least have him send it electronically the day of. It ain’t the 80s anymore.