Post Surgery Aftercare

Did anyone have problems getting their primary care doctor to provide aftercare when you had your surgery outside of the US? I am going to talk with my doctor on the 20th, and she was very supportive of my surgery in general, but since I am doing it out of the country, I am not sure how she will feel. I would be interested to hear how other people handled this. Thanks, Tiffany

Some doctors will not see someone who has had the surgery outside of the country. You need to find a doctor how will see you after you get surgery. The doctor that you choose should have names of doctors who are willing to see patients that have gone to MX for surgery. Mine did. I have already made arrangements with them for fills and follow up care. Where do you live?? Kelli

I too went to Mexico and had my Vertical Sleeve surgery. One of the reasons I chose this surgery is that there is really not any aftercare maintenance other than annual labs and checkups like I have always kept on top of anyway. The lapband was not an option for me after I checked into it further because of the fills and having that foreign object and mainly the port under my skin. I am almost two months out now and love my sleeve. My PCP knew I was contemplating WLS but I did not tell her until after I returned from Mexico and had my regular checkup for my diabetes. I can honestly say she about dropped her mouth - but after doing my labs and checking me out - she was pleasantly surprised and supportive of my decision to have WLS. My lab work was perfect by the way and I have not had to take my diabetes medicine since the night before surgery. Ye haw!!! Hope this helps someone - Bobbie in Texas - down a total of 33 including preop WL

My doctor talked to my PCP and then he was happy to do my follow-ups. I am almost a year out and all my labs are normal now. Good luck to you. God bless, Tina

My pcp gave me the whole out of the country is not a good idea speech but I did it anyway and he has been doing my labs for me and is so pleased with my surgery results so far. The whole office staff is excited and comes in when I weigh LOL. I haven't had any complications. I did have a kidney stone @ 3 weeks. I suffered from those pre-op and went to the ER for it. I informed them I was 3 weeks post-op (they didn't ask where I had it done and I didn't share it not that I wouldn't have) and was treated as usual for my stone. SOTB is not for everyone but it was the best decision I ever made. Hope all goes well for you, ~Michelle