Has anyone switched surgeons post-op for follow-up?

Recently Dr. Kamelgard closed his practice, and I had my records transferred to my PCP. She said she found them fascinating, but she thinks I ought to have a follow-up with another bariatric surgeon to make sure everything is on track for the long term. I guess I never really felt the need for that kind of follow-up, since I'm healthy, happy & I've moved on to the plastic surgery bit. I honestly don't know what I should do, or who I should approach.

Actually I had my surgury with Dr. Biloff of West Orange and I go for my follow ups to Dr. Jean Baptiste in Plainfield it really is not a big deal , any questions you can email me [email protected]. Harris

i would think that a pcp can check you at this point.  other than blood work, what would a surgeon do for you down the line, usually nothing, is my opinion. however, if you are concerned and need peace of mind, then call a few surgeons and see if one is willing to follow up with you. im 19 months out, and my pcp does my bloodwork twice a year and so far im doing grand take care, jacki

Did your bariatric surgeon say he would see you this far out?  I know after my current frequent visits (2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 mos, 6 mos, 9 mos, year) my visits will be yearly - but I don't know for how long.  I tend to agree with you - about not really needing follow up by a bariatric surgeon at this point out in your journey.  The only thing I might consider otherwise is to see one maybe once a year ***just in case*** you end up having some sort of complications like a bowel obstruction or something.  At least then you have a somewhat familiarity with a surgeon who you also know deals with your "pre existing condition" Let us know what happens.... Pam

i tend to agree with jacki -- it's basically only bloodwork -- and you already know that -- i can give you the list of vitamins and stuff my surgeon looks for in our bloodwork if that would help you or give you some type of guideline with your PCP  good luck to you :) and Jus_chanJ is another person who had surgery with one and follow up with another  take care roberta

Thanks, everyone, I have to say - with no complications, I never even thought about follow-up care. My PCP wanted to make sure I had someone who understood the surgery and all, but I don't think I need to have any follow-ups for routine bloodwork. All my labs have come back excellent over the years. The hernia has been removed, and the only minor problem I experience is occasional reflux due to the ring that my dr. put around the top of the stomach.

Hi, Adele!   Glad to hear everything is going well for you.  I had just switched back to doing my yearly follow-up with Dr. K and--bam--2 months later he made his announcement.  I had been following up annually with Asha Bale, at Obesity Treatment Center (Dr. K's old place).  She and her office people always treated me fine, and it was good to know that---just in case---I had a surgeon who knew the surgery I had and could treat me in an emergency.  I decided to go back to Dr. K only because the visits were just annual at this point and I do think he's an excellent surgeon---just in case.  Now, I'm where you are.  What do I do for follow-up at this point....?  Up until this year, my bloodwork had been perfect. Doing what I've always done, some of my levels stated a downward slide.  I've had to increase certain things. I had no clue this was happening and wouldn't have, had it not been for my bloodwork.  I also feel great, but another year of going like I was going, who knows how I would've felt.  So, regardless of who does your bloodwork, from my experience I think it's still very importnat to do.  If you go on the OOG-Kamelgard site, in the file section is a list of recommended labs. You could always print that out and give to your PCP. My other concern is the "what if I have an emergency" scenario....I've heard horror stories of folks who, all of a sudden, find themselves in the emergency room, and no one is able to diagnose them or wants to touch them because they aren't familiar with the surgery.  I certainly *hope* I never have a stricture or bowel obstruction, but if I do I would want someone who knows what my anatomy looks like diagnosing and treating  me.  I've met Dr. Biloff and he's great.  I go to Dr. Baptiste's support group at Muhlenberg, and everyone raves about him.  I am considering one of them for my next follow-up, which won't be until October 2008. Whatever you do, wherever you go, please don't discount your yearly bloodwork.  Alot can happen without you having any knowledge of it until it's "too late".   Best wishes to you!! Julie

Hey Julie! Nice to see you. I wonder if I should check in at Dr. Bale's since she's close by, and Newark might still have a copy of the surgical records. I know I can get the labs done with my PCP but yeah, the follow-up with someone who understands the surgery would be nice. I think more & more doctors are aware of the surgery and the follow-up requirements. My last set of labs came back on target, so I'm not overly worried. I still have no idea why Dr. Kamelgard decided to close his practice, but I thank him for helping me change my life. :)

We all think we don't need to at least stay in contact with a surgeon and that's what I thought too until January of 2008. My original surgeon was Dr Benotti who is now out of state. I went to the ER at ST Claire's in Dover and they found a stricture and the bariatric surgeon there wanted to rip me open to do emergency bowel surgery but wouldn't even scope me first. As a nurse, that is bad business. Well they admitted me and I kept telling them it was my RNY, please check it out. They wanted to transfer me 4 hours by ambulance to PA to be treated because their bariatric surgeon would not even consider checking my pouch. Well I signed myself out and went to Valley Hospital. There I met Dr Gritsus who did all the testing, later to find out the pain was from my bypass and the stricture had resolved itself. But the back pain I had been having and the vomiting were from 2 ulcers and dehisced staples in  my pouch and the opening that extends from the pouch had been made way too narrow from my previous surgery. I am now scheduled for a revision on 2/27, and can't work due to the fact I am constantly vomiting. Please everyone at least follow up yearly with a bariatric surgeon so they know your case. I never thought this would be me almost 8 8 years postop.