Question:
I think BPD/DS is for me but I will need to travel to find a surgeon.

I am interested in hearing from anyone else who had to travel to a surgeon for their procedure. I am worried about the additional expense due to frequent doc visits both before and after the surgery and if I will need to stay in town(looking to have it done laproscopiclly in New York). Will I need to get a hotel room or can I go home when released from the hospital. Any experiences you all have had with this would be greatly appreciated.    — Nicole R. (posted on May 2, 2001)

May 2, 2001
Hi Nicole, I traveled five hours to get this surgery. I did all preops & follow-up labwork locally & fax it down to my docs. All went very smoothly. I'm 18 months postop now and all is well. I went down to see my doc on my one year anniversary, but other than that, I communicate by phone, fax & email. He did keep me in the hospital a couple extra days. I was in 8 days, but went home after that. All wsa fine... & still is! (http://www.myWLS.com/discus) --->>
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 3, 2001
Hi Nicole, I traveled from Florida to New York City to have my surgery. Everything was done here in Florida and the results mailed up to the doctor in New York. I flew up and saw the doctor the day before my surgery was scheduled, (surgery was scheduled while I was in Florida and arranged to be done right after the initial appointment), was in the hospital 4 days and could have gotten on a plane and flown home on the day of discharge. Too many people make too big a deal of what they are about to do and forget that people travel for care all the time-this is not a big deal in the total scheme of things. Anyway, I never heard from the doctor anyway, they never asked me what my plans were on discharge, I could have told them I was going to stay at the Ritz for all they knew or cared. Any doctor can take care of you and just have the blood work done and send the results up to the doctor-you never have to travel anywhere for followup appointments, phone and e-mail suffice. Think about it, if you went to a local doctor for treatment, then were transfered or moved across the country, gee whiz, then your loctor would now be long distance..so what.....do not get caught up in the whole after care song. For 99% of us there is no aftercare that is needed by a doctor, just care that can be given by any doctor and if the local doctor has a question avout your situation, they can call and consult withthe surgeon-it's done all the time. Go where you want for the surgery and see if there is a loca support group-that will be more important than a doctor. The further post op you get the les emotional you will be and can see the reality of the post op period and changes. No sweat, go for it, go anywhere. WARNING!!!! Be sure to have copies of all of your test results, blood work, x-rays, reports, medical records-everything!!! with you personally-do NOT count on all the necessary paperwork being there-have it ready and in your own hot little hand, and do not give it up (let them make copies and give everything right back to you) Do you want to be 1500 mile from home and hear them say "we don't have the results of.......?"
   — Fran B.