Follow-up Visits

I am researching new doctors for follow-up to surgery since my surgeon is out of network for me, I need to find an alterntive in-network process to do my follow-ups as I can't handle the out-of-pocket expense.  I'm a year out and doing well, so don't feel that it is necessary to keep seeing a surgeon just for a script for blood work every 3 months.  What kind of follow-up schedule's are some of the older post-ops on?  I'm just curious so that I can plan it out.  Thanks.

Hi Trish, Can't you go to your primary physician and ask them to draw the required blood and keep track? Maryellen

I probably could do that but how often is it necessary after the 1 year milestone?  Also, I have to find a new pcp as mine coincidentally just left his practice to go to work at the VA hosp in E. Northport.  I feel abandoned right now....issues that I don't do too well with.  I'm having a tough time and meetings are not helping.  This is one of those days where I feel like I want to just rip my skin off!!...lol  I guess I knew it would come to this eventually but Dr. A should have discussed his "charges" with me ahead of time so that I knew what was going to happen.  I received a whopping bill last night on my 1 year anniversary and it sent me into a tailspin.  I just cancelled my next appt with him and I'm done.  The sad truth is that they won't even notice

Hi Trish, Sorry to hear that you are having a rough time and that meetings aren't helping you.  There are many other meetings that you can attend for free.  Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip offers a meeting every other Saturday morning from 9-10:30 and there is one at Southside Hosptial in Bay Shore on the first Monday of each month and then there's one that alternates at the Selden and Centereach Lilbrary on Friday evenings. 

Have you tried journaling?   There is no cost and many people feel that journaling helps them.  I think you should call Seema, advise her of your financial situation and try to work something out with her.  Hey,  you never know if you don't ask.  I wouldn't be surprised if she works someting with you. If you don't presently have a primary dr., can you go to a clinic., tell them about having the bypass and ask for the bloodwork, at least once annually unless you are having issues.  Please don't ever stop taking your vitamins. 

If you need to talk, give me call, Hope tomorrow is a better day for you! Maryellen

 

 

I spoke to Cindy who was supposed to have Seema call me, instead I received a bill....that was the response to my inquiry.  I never got a return phone call.  I will be just as communicative to them when they are trying to collect on the outstanding balance.  I hope they don't hold their breath's too long....lol I plan to find a new pcp but for now I can return to the old group and have the nurse practioner review my blood work as needed.  I don't plan on returning to Dr. A's office.  If I need to see a bariatric surgeon, I've been to 3 others prior to Dr. A before I chose him for the procedure.  Dr. Cooperstone is very likable and was a significant influence on my surgical journey.  I just didn't have him do the surgery because he only performs it open and I was head strong on having it done laprascopic.  Dr. C participates in many insurance plans including mine.  If I had known there was going to be out of pocket costs associated with this procedure, I would have chosen a different surgeon IN network.  Live and learn.  A warning to others considering a surgeon out-of-network to discuss costs upfront BEFORE signing up with them.  Dr. A's office is very unclear and uncommittal in regard to a $ amount when discussing the costs afterward.   I've been journalling for a long time now, even prior to WLS.  I expected post-support meetings to be more geared to "issues" rather than weigh****chers discussions and hearing the usual I am so-and-so and I had my surgery #months/years ago, and I have lost # lbs...  @ 12 times/year times # of people hearing this = it gets stale real fast.  There was an article in WLS Lifestyles magazine on this very issue and this woman wrote a book because of the fact that monthly support meetings are greatly lacking in this area ("issues").  It's great to sit in a room and applaud each other but after a while it doesn't become motivating when  you are dealing with challenges.  I know many people who have dropped out of attending meetings for this very reason and because of Linda's reprimandings about what people eat.  She is a bit over the top and offensive and Seema does nothing to stop her. I'll be popping into meetings from time to time, but I think I'm done until I can get a better job and get my life on track.  Maybe I just need a break from the whole scene for now.  The worst is behind me so I have to keep moving forward.

Not an "old timer", just about 5 months out. I had 1 post op visit week after WLS. Then I had a 1 month visit in July w/ labwork. Had my 4 month check up yesterday, no labs ordered. Don't have to return until April '08.  

Just my 2 cents Trish: I think you might want to rethink the idea of not following up with a Bariatric surgeon. There is a lot that they assess for and can surmise based on your visits that a regular PCP might not have the expertise to assess for. You have a compromised digestive system for the rest of your life, and that can pose problems for you that if not detected early can have disasterous and irreversable effects. Even though you are doing great now, that might not always be the case and without routine assessments a lot of info gets lost. If I were you I would go with your idea of calling your insurance and finding out what other bariatric surgeons are on your plan. Even if you have to travel a distance to see them, it's once a year, and it is worth your while in the bigger picture.

Just my two cents.

Good luck!
Amy

Trish, I agree with Amy about considering having your follow-ups done with a bariatric surgeon/practice.  As more time goes by I've found they discovered new things to watch out for.  I know that additional blood test have to added to the ones done by the practice I go to since I've had my surgery.

As far as the frequency of blood work is concerned, I was told once a year after the first year.  Personally I plan to have them every 6 months.  I think a year is too long to wait.

Mary PS - Would your surgeon just give you the script for the blood work without actually having to see him?  Maybe that would be an option to reduce some of the out-of-pocket expenses.

I am lucky...I have really great insurance...but, I did notice when they did my bloodwork the first time that the price of it was astronomical...must be a very thorough check.  I went back to the surgeon early this month...no blood work ordered..and I don't have to go back for 6 months.  Maybe you can spread out your appointments.  Good Luck. Rosemary