Follow-up Appointments

I was curious to know from long term bandsters what is the norm for follow-up appointments? Do I have to follow-up even if I have no problems and have reached a good fill point? I want to know do I have a slew of doctor visits in my future or do I only follow-up when needed?

My first year, I went in every 6 weeks to 2 months.  Most of the time I got a small fill at these appointments.  Like .5 or .2 cc's.   

I've had very little problems with getting stuck or pb'ing because they took my fill level up very slowly.  I had lots of time to adjust.

I was last in the office for a doc's visit in early March and my next appt is now in June.  I do keep in touch with one of my nurses via facebook and I can call in anytime I have a pressing need and they will work me in.

I would want to be seen at least every 2 or 3 months my first year and really maybe more often, but that's just me.  I like going in even if I don't need any adjusting just to check that I'm doing well and following the guidelines.  It's a more one on one than I get in support group.

this is how my doc does it.  After the first yr alot of his patients just see him every 6 months . You have to go in every six months and some go in every three months it depends on how you feel about it and how often you want to see him.

First yr he expects to see you every month . Now he is making a expect ion for me and its my choice if I want to do this or not .  Only because Im self pay and he is trying to help me out on cost.

I can go in every other month and see him and that way I can save my free visits when I do need him .

he told me if I lose at least 6 pounds every month and I'm not getting hungry there is no since of me coming in and seeing him when all he is going to do is record my weight and say good job that is all he has been doing the last two months since I have not needed a fill .

My next appt is May 2nd I can postpone that one but I have to go in and see him in June no expectations on that one .

But he did put a rule on me if I skip I have go to the support group meeting and he can see me there :o) just to make sure Im doing okay lol

I will see how I'm doing by the end of April and go from there. , but he also told me since I have not had a fill I can call him at anytime and he will get me in asap .

At my first appt with my surgeon, I asked if I could have my fills closer to home (his office is about 45 minutes from my home and there is a nurse who does fills about 10 minutes from my home).

We had a good discussion about follow up --- and his strong feeling that consistent, face-to-face contact is the key factor to success with WLS.

He asked me to commit to seeing him only for the first year --- every 3 - 4 weeks at first, then spacing out my appointments after that.

Yes, I kept my part of the deal -- I went in to see him even if I didn't think that I needed a fill.
Yes, I showed up -- and got weighed and looked him in the eye every few weeks.

When I read here -- most of the people who are successful have consistent follow up care.
Most of the people who struggle seem to report that they have not seen their doctors for months, they have not had fills - can't afford them, or whatever.

My surgeon makes it easy -- he charges me (self-pay) 50.00 for an appointment, 100.00 if I have a fill or unfill.
Compared to the money I used to spend to eat out --- that money is reasonable and I have made it a priority.

I am at my weight loss goal now (7 pounds below it, actually) and I saw my surgeon in Feb 2011.
We agreed at that time that I will go back in 6 months (I see him every month at a Support Group) -- sooner if I need his help.

I don't think that there is ANYTHING more important than consistent follow up with the Band.

One more thing --- I have dieted ALOT in my life -- -and the 'beginning of the end' of every attempt was me going in to denial -- and just giving up.

Basically, I went in to hiding -- and tried to ignore what was happening.

Part of my committment to 'showing up' to see my surgeon frequently was really my committment to ME to 'show up' and 'stay in the game'.

I am NOT giving up on ME this time.

Kathy....we started at almost the same weight.  I can't imagine how good you must feel after losing all that weight!!  I am down 22lbs, and feel good, but cant imagine how good I will feel when I'm down 100lbs!!  Your such an inspiration....My doc is 1.5 hours away from my house.  its such a pain in the ass to travel down there but I made the commitment and I refuse to let it fail....So if I have to travel, I like you will do whatever it takes!!  Thank you so much!!!    How long did it take you to lose your weight? 

J ---

I lost 18 pounds pre-op, so went in to surgery on 6/5/09 at 266.

I got to my goal weight of 155 on 12/24/10 (yep, Christmas Eve). 

So, basically it took me 18 1/2 months.

I had just turned 51 years old at the time of my surgery --- and have gone from peri-menopause to full-blown menopause in the 2 years time.

After I got to my goal weight, I spent about 8 weeks going up and down between 154-157 --- then, in late Feb, I saw my surgeon and got a .25 cc fill -- just enough to top things off and dim my hunger again.

In the last 6 weeks I have lost 7 pounds and weighed in last Saturday at Weigh****chers at 148.

Hang in there --- keep up the great work -- I focused on losing 5 pounds at a time -- 26 times.

Can't remember the first year! But since i got to goal, i have a barium swallow every year. If there are no probs, I don't see the doc; if there were any, I would!

I can go any time, of course, just don't get regular appts.

Kate

Basimah, how are you feeling re: your heart palpitations?  I'm going for my final dietician appt tomorrow and then submit to insurance.  I have my fingers crossed!!