Has anybody else managed to find a new doctor for follow up care?

As some of you know, I'm new to Charlotte.  I had my surgery in January in CT with Dr. Valin. I just called Dr. Melkonian's office here in Charlotte to try and schedule an appointment and was told they don't do follow up's with other doctors patients.  I guess I can understand that...sort of, kind of, not really.  Has anybody else here had their surgery done somewhere else and managed to find a new doctor for follow up care?  If you have, can you please pass along the name. Thanks, Joe

In theory  I suppose I understand why they don't, but in practice I think that's poor behavior.  Almost all surgeons recognize the importance of follow-up, do they expect those who move to drive hours and hours for their follow-up?  I'm sorry I can't help, but I wanted to comiserate with you. I hope you find someone who will take you on. Take care. Ellen

Thanks.  That was kind of my point exactly.  I can appreciate you not wanting to clean up someone else's mess, which I'm not...thank you very much, but I can't exactly get to Connecticut if there does happens to be some kind of problem.  Anywho....

Hi Joe - Just a thought here. Maybe if your surgeon in CT writes a request to a doctor near you explaining the situation, they may consider extending a professional courtesy to you. May be worth a try. I'd talk to your CT surgeon and see. Wouldn't hurt to try, right? Best of luck to you, Mary Ann

Hey Joe, I am not from Charlotte, but I was interested in knowing if I could have another surgeon for my follow ups because of the travel distance.  I called Dr.  Moran's office here in Raleigh and they were willing to take me on but wanted me to pay like $1,200.  The Office manager said that I am asking Dr Moran to take responsibility for someone else's work.  If I had heart surgery, would I have to pay $1,200 to see another cardiologist?  I wasn't asking them to educate me, or preform my surgery, just make sure I am ok for annual follow ups. I think it is possible to find a group to take you on, but I also thing that some Dr.'s are taking advantage of people.   I think the Charlotte is a healthy WLS market.  You should find someone to take you on!! Good luck to you... Candice

Hi Joe! Try Dr. Bauman or Dr. Pirello at Carolina Weight Loss Surgery.  They are in Concord, but are both excellent surgeons and are worth the drive. www.carolinaweightlosssurgery.com Roberta

:-( sorry to hear DrMs office couldnt help you. Hopefully you will find somebody!  I can understand why the Drs dont want to follow up... all of our surgeries are done so differently they may not be able to offer the best follow up care.

Have you tried Dr. Voellinger?

thanks for all your replies and the names.

Hey Joe.... Doctor Voellinger does... I have a close friend that used another surgeon and has since switched to Dr. Voellinger for follow up and she is thrilled with him and his staff. He is at Southeast Bariatrics... He is my surgeon and  is a great surgeon and really cares for his patients.  Not just saying that because he is my surgeon either... many friends have used him for surgery and I have never heard anything bad from any of them.... Good luck and take care... His office number is 704-347-4144   Mike