Annual Checkups

My surgery was 11/18/03 and I have lost 170 pounds, maintaining my weight between 130 and 135 pounds.  A lot of walking and exercise keep me where I am.  My question is, how often do you see your gastric bypass surgeon?  I now see mine once a year and have annual blood tests.  Everything has always been fine on all the requested tests.  I saw him last week and the first thing he said to me, in a joking manner, why was I there?  I know things can go wrong at any time, but am just curious as to how often other WLS grads see their docs.  Thanks, Beverly

I go once a year and he gives his patients the option to see him every six months.  Thje surgeon should be happy to see you and that you are following his protocall.

I will be 8 years out in Dec. and I no longer see him. I am fortunate enough to have a PCP that understands gastric bypass and what type of annual testing is required.

I'm 18 months out and am now supposed to see my surgeon once per year.  I also need to have detailed bloodwork done once annually to make sure my numbers are all good.   That being said, after my last appointment, I'm not sure I'll do any additional follow-up with my surgeon's office unless I begin to have problems.  All of my follow-up appointments have been with my surgeon's fellows.  Other than passing him in the hallway, I haven't had an appointment with or spoken to my surgeon since I was in the hospital for my surgery.  I've never had to wait less than 90 minutes after my scheduled appointment time, which has always been first thing in the morning - how can you be running 90 minutes behind at 8:30 a.m.???  At my last appointment, the fellow looked at my weight and my BP/pulse info, asked me if I was having any problems, which I wasn't, and that was it.  Frankly, it was a waste of my time, my money and my insurance company's money.   I do see my regular PCP every 6 months or so.  At my next visit, I intend to ask her if she can order the more detailed bloodwork that's needed to monitor my numbers, etc.  Based on my prior conversations with her, I think she is familar enough with the surgery to be able to help me in this way.  If I have any problems, I would be willing to go back to my surgeon's office, but if things are going well, I don't see the point.   Good luck with whatever you decide to do! Kellie

My surgeon continues to see everyone once a year.

I see my gastric bypass doc every year for a check up and bloodwork. He requires his patients come in yearly - he keeps data and when we come in regularly it helps in their record keeping. I sometimes have my blood work done at my PCP - if I'm there for something else, and have it fax it over to my wls surgeon - then I don't see him but he has my lab results to file.

My   am  21  months out  I   see  my  surgeon  every   6  months  ...  Hopefully at   2  years  it  will   be  once  a  year ... I   really  appreciate  my  Surgeon  he  very  interested  in  my  after care ....

The last time I saw my surgeon was at my one year follow-up.  And he said that I could see my PCP for my annual bloodwork and just contact him if I had any problems or questions.   So for the last two years I have seen my PCP for my bloodwork and everything has been great.  Melissa