I'd love to have the DS!

For those of you that had to travel a great distance did you do the consult & surgery in the same trip? How long before you was able to return home? Also did you have to go back 2 weeks later?

I traveled to my DS surgeon. The flight was 5.5 hours. I handle the after care though my PCP. My PCP helped set me up with all my pre testing that was required for surgery.

My surgeon is Dr. Keshishian in California. I made 2 trips, one to meet him and have him perform a scope on my pouch (RNY revision). I wanted to meet him face to face as this was a very difficult revision and it was important for me to meet the doctor who was going to be cutting on me before I let him do the procedure. The 2nd time was for the surgery, obviously. I had to stay in the area about 10 days before he would release me to travel home. He did his "2 week" check and removed drains at this time and I flew home the next day. He has always made himself available to me for post op care but honestly, I have not needed to contact him much. I get a lab order yearly from his office.

Like everyone else has stated it is worth the travel. And as someone who has had to go the revision route... Don't let the travel be the only factor that keeps you from the DS. Revisions are no fun.... research twice, cut once...

Good Luck to you,
SH

I travelled 8 hours by car from Canada to the US both for the consultation and to have my DS surgery.  I also did two follow-up visits with the surgeon, but my local PCP is the key person for my aftercare.  

My surgeon was a good cutter and performed a surgery with no complications.  Surgical aftercare was not required.

My aftercare consists of regular blood work testing, annual DEXA scan and monitoring of trends, which are ordered through my PCP.  I take a lot of personal interest and responsibility in my aftercare and all DS patients must be proactive in understanding their surgery and its lifelong implications on them.  Everyone is a little different.  Some DSers need subsequent follow-up with an Endochronoligist or Hematologist if levels get low, your PCP can refer you to someone closer to home.

The forums (OH, Proboards WLS and Facebook) are very important to your aftercare - connecting with veterans of the surgery and hearing the personal experiences of others.  Some of the more experienced vets (that don't post often here on OH) know more than many surgeons about the medical studies on the DS.

forgot to say, I stayed at hotel near surgeon until 10 days post op, when I had checkup and stitches removed, then took two days for hubby to drive me home.  Most surgeons want you to stay close for a bit until they know you are recovering well and there aren't any complications.