Do you ALLOW Gastro DOCS to do your aftercare?

If you do...you are looking for BIG TROUBLE...no one should be looking at your lap band pouch or assessing your esophagus BUT YOUR LAP BAND SURGEON NOT a gastroenterologist....THEY ARE NOT SKILLED ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU AN ACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR LAP BAND...YOUR LAP BAND SURGEON CALIBRATED YOUR POUCH SIZE WHEN THEY INSTALLED IT...AND CAN MONITOR UNUSUAL GROWTH

If you got a HMO or another type insurance that will dictate when you should pay a visit to your lap band surgeon....then...you are playing Russian Roulette with the longevity of your lap band....

Also..it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make sure you see your lap band surgeon for needed aftercare ...regardless if you have A HMO or not..

Also...most lap band surgeons are able to give you the same prescriptions such as reflux meds and any type of issues you may have...but if you are having other non related stomach issues....you may want to see a gastro doc...but you better not use the gastro doc as an alternative to your band surgeon to check on your lap band....

Sometimes, I feel, we need both. I've developed a small hiatal hernia, after being banded. I went to my lap band Dr office first, but also wanted the opinion of a gastro Dr. I do believe after care of the band should be done by our WLS.  But there are times we may need to go to a specialist and have the 2 Dr's work, together. Especially with esophagus problems.

Mari...that's good that you have a gastro doc...but my point was that your lap band surgeon SHOULD BE ACCESSING YOUR BAND HEALTH AND ESOPHAGUS.....NOT A GASTRO SURGEON...since a lap band may cause unique issues from typical gastro issues...

If it were me I would not allow a gastro doc to try to "assess" and treat any potential lap band issues, such as reflux or issues from being too tight... in other words...having a HMO is not a great idea with a lap band...you must be able to see your lap band surgeon any time you suspect a issue.

Also...since I've had my lap band I've never had to a see a gastro doc, since my lap band surgeon is very skilled in gastro issues as well. Before I got my lap band I used to suffer from GERD and had to see a gastro doc frequently...NOW my lap band surgeon can treat all gastro issues and perform hernia surgery as well if needed,  so I don't need a gastro doc....if I ever need a endoscopy they can just write a script and I go have one done and most lap band surgeons SHOULD KNOW EVERY THING A GASTRO doc knows and more...

But I can understand if someone has other chronic illness that a gastro doc should treat outside the realm of what most lap band surgeons have time to treat..

My post was not suggesting not to see a gastro doc IF YOU HAVE GASTRO ISSUES.....lap band issues and GASTRO issues are separately....EVEN if someone keeps their lap band too tight to damage the esophagus and/or cause other issues to other internal organs ...THE LAP BAND SURGEON SHOULD BE SEEN FIRST AND IF YOU HAVE FURTHER ISSUES OUTSIDE OF HIS REALM...THEN HE CAN REFER YOU....that's my point.

I've seen several people here never go back to their lap band surgeons for aftercare after a very tight fill adjustment-- until it's too late and their lap bands must come out.....

 

When your bariatric surgeon is working WITH another physician and has trained the other physician to do your routine followup and fills (which is the situation I find myself in) .. is a bit different than being sent to a GI doc by an insurance company.

I agree with Mari and Lisa. I went to a GI specialist who was recommended by my bariatric surgeon.

His referral is what got me a quick assessment by the GI specialist, and I got the best of both.

My GI specialist called my surgeon directly on the day of my endoscopy to tell him of his findings.

I got a follow up call from my surgeon that night, to tell me that they had spoken and to re explain what the GI found.

My health care is really a team approach. My bariatric surgeon spoke with my plastic surgeon to discuss my port placement and how that would change with my tummy tuck.

I love my surgeon, because he is truly my partner and sees me as more than a credit card.