Strange occurence

My bariatric surgeon has recently become affiliated with another doctor (Internist) to help with the fills for lapband patients.  My surgeon's office is so busy it's often really difficult to get in for a fill.  I've often had to make appointments not knowing if I'd really need a fill.. just guestimating.

While I was at the gym this morning, the doctor's office called that my appointment on June 7 needed to be rescheduled.   When I called them back, they explained that Dr. C.(the internist)'s office would be doing my fills from now on.  I asked if my whole case was being transferred and they said no, I'd still come in for my yearly checks, but not for fills.

Now granted, I'm 2 years out, and probably won't need that many fills any longer.. but I'm feeling very strange about this.  It's like I'm being shuffled off ..I don't think it's monetary, but more like I'm so normal and non-critical I'm not interesting as a patient!  LOL   I don't know whether to give this internist a chance (they did give me a sooner appt) or to start checking out other bariatric surgeons in my area.

If you are happy with the office in general I wouldn't change just becuse of this. Lots of offices are this way, once you have had the surgery you never see the surgeon again until check up time. Some have a nurse that will do fills and others like your office have a different doc do it. Think about it, it is a waste of time for a surgeon to give you a fill when he could be doing another surgery for someone else. Most anyone who is properly trained can give a fill. It probaby all boils down to efficiency and of course money.

I've never had the surgeon do my fills.. all been done by the NP or LVN, which I'm very comfy with.

I think what's perturbing to me is that I understood that going to this other doctor was an OPTION for banded patients.. not "you must go here".  

There's also the fact that the bariatric surgeon and the internist I'm being sent to are both a 50 mile drive from my town.  I was willing to make the drive to see a bariatric specialist.. but if an Internist is OK to do fills, why couldn't one in my town also be OK ?  Provided of course, that they have a huber needle and experience with accessing ports.

I've never met this Internist and since they won't have my chart, how will they know much about me?  I asked if all my care was being transferred and they said no, I would still be seen on my surgical anniversary at the bariatric office (which will be another year now..just hit my 2 year mark in March).

I think I will call my nurse at the Bariatric Surgeon's office and talk to her some tomorrow.

either OH or my browser is acting up.. see my reply above.

never mind.. it self-corrected.

I have never gotten filled by my surgeon.  I haven't seen my surgeon since the surgery and I'm a little over a year out.  Do most of you see your surgeon every year on the anniversary?  I know the office is training other medical people to do fills for those who are too far away from the office.

I would find out if you could find someone closer to do a fill if you need one.  If your insurance would cover someone closer and your surgeon okays it, I would give a closer internist a try if needing a fill.  I'm lucky that my surgeon's office is only 10 minutes away and her PA does fills. 

Being normal is a good thing!  : )
Kristi

The only reason I would change offices is because of the drive. As others have said, many times it isn't the surgeon who does fills. For me it was, but many have NP's or PA's do it. I would be sure your information ie. chart, gets forwarded. Otherwise how will they be able to decide how much to put in? Good luck!

Oh.. Yea.. I never see the surgeon either, but If both are a 50 mile drive, see if you can find someone closer to do them...

can any internist do fills?  ?  I bet a lot of bariatric offices would not want to make that common knowledge...   $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Good luck...