Ivonne’s medical issues started when she was admitted to the hospital with acute appendicitis. She underwent surgery to resolve the infection, but unfortunately her discomfort continued even after undergoing the operation. Her local doctors believed that Ivonne had developed an abscess which was subsequently treated with antibiotics.

During the 8 months after Ivonne’s surgery, she continued to experience bouts of extreme pain in her abdomen which eventually also spread to her leg. These episodes would leave Ivonne confined to her bed sometimes for up to a week at a time. During these post-operative months her pain episodes were so severe her energy levels dropped so low she had to stop working.

Ivonne underwent a range of testing conducted by several departments at her local hospital. Unfortunately, doctors were unable to uncover what was wrong with her. With no other medical explanation to diagnose her chronic pain, her local team concluded that the cause must be due to adhesions developed during the post-surgery healing process. Adhesions often form as a result of injury during surgery and connect tissues that ordinarily shouldn’t be connected. Ivonne was told she needed to learn to manage and live with her pain.

I was at my wits’ end and almost gave up, until I realized that I wouldn’t accept this lack of resolution in the workplace so why would I accept it when it involved my own life? I decided I wanted a second medical opinion and my insurer directed me to Best Doctors.’’

Ivonne’s case was reviewed by a world-renowned expert and the team at Best Doctors worked tirelessly to provide her with a detailed report that she could then share with her local treating doctors.

The Best Doctors report confirmed that my medical situation wasn’t in my head!’’

The expert reviewed all of her medical records and provided a conclusive diagnosis. He explained that her testing indicated that during surgery, a part of the appendix had remained in her abdomen and was now causing her pain attacks. When Ivonne shared the Best Doctors report with her treating specialist, he agreed with the expert’s findings and scheduled Ivonne for a revision surgery almost immediately.

I always knew something was wrong and I’m very happy I listened to my intuition. I’m fully recovered now, I’ve got my energy back and I’ve returned to work fulltime.’’