"Lack of post-operative care after surgery"

Earlier this year I had a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy at Monash Health.

I was informed about some possible complications but was under the impression that help would be provided if anything went wrong.

Since the surgery I have had abdominal and chest pain and gastrointestinal issues for several months now. I feel sick every day, I have had a few episodes of chest pain so strong that I couldn't breathe normally, I've avoided social situations because I would be unable to stop belching. My abdomen has become oddly sensitive to touch so I have to avoid any activity where something might press against my stomach. This is very restrictive and makes it hard to exercise, work sitting at a desk, hug people, or have any kind of sexual contact. It's affecting my mental health and I just feel miserable a lot of the time. Sometimes I've felt too sick to leave the house and have had so stay home in bed all day just lying in bed clutching my stomach.

I've had an x-ray and a few tests and have been prescribed a few medications by a GP, but was told I need specialist care.

However, I found Monash Health has not been any help. I asked them for help over and over for months, but kept being told to wait for the problem to go away on its own.

I recall a doctor at Monash Health told me that the problem may be caused by gas moving from my lungs to my stomach while intubated. I went and saw a respiratory physician who told me, I recall, that this is complete nonsense and they can't believe anyone would tell me that.

After several months of asking for help I was put on a waiting list to see a Monash Health gastroenterologist and told my appointment was categorized as non urgent. 

Around this time I was left unable to breathe normally for three days when the chest pains got substantially worse, but apparently this is not considered even semi-urgent.

I am shocked and horrified by the apparent lack of post-surgical care. I have become really depressed about Monash Health's seeming indifference to the problem I believe they have created and feel like I've lost all faith in doctors and people's ability to care about others. I believe they have destroyed my abdomen and then shrugged and left me alone with it. I'm devastated.