PCP

I had surgery in Mexico and haven't seen a doctor since then. I need to find a PCP and get a referal to a GI specialist for an endoscopy and chronic GERD options. Posting for accountability because im really nervous. I can't imagine telling a doctor that i went to mexico and had my stomach cut out and lost 100lbs and now am at risk for esophageal cancer. I feel like they'd shame me. A GI doctor will probably just say to keep taking my PPI since 20mg nexium every 2-3 days controls the symptoms (but likely is not preventing damage). I hate to spend tons of money to just be told to take the PPI forever ( which im not willing to do). I hate to go through the process of getting a referral to a GI only to be told that they wont see me because i had surgery in mexico. This feels like a mess. Just venting, thanks OH.

I had surgery in MX and have never had a doctor I told about it to shame me for it. Most thought it was a very smart thing to do.

I hope that will be the case for you also.

You had a surgical treatment for obesity. If a doctor is judgmental, kick them to the curb.

If you do not have to have a referral for your insurance, refer yourself to a GI doctor.

Don't delay. GERD is treatable.

Seeing a bariatric surgeon might be a better bet perhaps. I say this because my bariatric surgeon is also a general surgeon, so I get the combo of the understanding of WLS but also the ability to investigate what's going on with my acid stuff when I see him. Which is what I'm doing right now, since I've had some acid problems recently and I'm paranoid. (This can happen to people who didn't go to Mexico and self-pay, so if a doctor shames you for that, they're an ignorant asshat.) So I've got an endoscopy with my bariatric surgeon on Tuesday. My understanding is that GI docs can be clueless about WLS anatomy.

A good doctor won't shame you. (Although I've certainly had those experiences, and they suck.)

A good doctor should not tell you to take a PPI forever. (Here's a super recent [2018] study -- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HCtJMg-ZdtpcejsOJiLh1XApsE0 o0Adu/view?usp=sharing. Short version: PPIs don't prevent esophageal cancer anyway, lolz.)

And, hey, you should have a PCP anyway since you should be having regular lab work, etc, in your post-op life. (Weren't you concerned about malabsorption issues back when you initially had surgery?) So, regardless, finding a PCP is a Very Good Idea.

If a doctor shames you for seeking surgery outside of the US, he/she is an ass! I've lived all over the world and so have had care in many countries, some of it far superior to what is available to most here!

Go find a doctor who is a decent human being before you get permanent damage.

I had surgery in usa, with a great doc and I have GERD. Sometimes GERD is due to food and acid coming back up, in my case - it is a result of food allergies and intolerances.

You may have hernia, or you sleeve may be small and if you over eat - you could create high pressure condition in your sleeve. And before you tell me that you don't overeat, let me tell you that there are a few only post-op WLS people when never took that extra bite not realizing that it is one bite to many. In my case - I have days I can eat relatively normal portion then I may have a week that I feel full after just a few bites.

As others said - if doc would give you a hard time surgery in Mexico, that would be a sign to me that he/ she is not a good doc.

BTW: seams to me youmsy be projecting on a potential diocs your own insecurities about having a surgery in Mexico.

Not having a doc is not a big deal, but not getting blood work done so far post op WLS is shocking to me. You are risking your health if not life but not having at least yearly blood work.

To clarify, I have had blood work done since surgery. I just self pay through an online lab.

I am glad to hear that.

I know you?re just venting. Anxiety has us writing other people?s scripts all the time. You?re writing a lot of your future doctors script (they?re going to shame you for Mexico surgery, they?re going to think your somehow at fault for having GERD?. They're going to tell you to just take your PPI. are you sure this is what they will think, or is it you projecting your own thoughts?). Stop writing their script. They are going to meet you where you are and work on fixing your problem. If you get any note of judgement or shame, just get a new doc. But I think you?re going to be surprised.

So sorry to hear all you are going through. No PCP worth their medical degree will ever make you feel guilty. And if they do, run out of the door. Try a bariatric surgeon first. Not all PCP's are educated to the degree you would need in WLS. I had to cough, cough train mine to take care of me.

Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing?

Take care,

Kathy