S.V. was referred to me by her friend. She was a 35-year-old with what everyone thought were fibroids. These non-cancerous lumps grow in the uterus and can cause various symptoms. She had seen a doctor who wanted to remove the rapidly growing fibroids through laparoscopic surgery (surgery through tubes sticking into the belly). S.V. was a successful writer and had a busy schedule. There was something odd about her presentation and clinical findings. This was about 15 years ago, and laparoscopic resection surgeries of fibroids were just getting started as a first-line surgery. The surgeon she was going to for the operation was fine, but he had the reputation of being a little aggressive for his abilities.
Needless to say, I suggested that she see another pelvic surgeon whom I had worked with in the past. This surgeon was also a gynecologic cancer surgeon. He was excellent in the operating room and, most importantly, knew his limitations. S.V. met with him, but ended up going with the younger, more aggressive surgeon. She liked this surgeon partly because he had a very effective social media presence. At that time, social media was also just starting but had already become a powerful tool to influence people.
