Question:
I saw my surgeon today. I'm 6-weeks post op. He has ordered me an....

...upper GI test tomorrow to look for a stricture. However, he said that if it looked alright he would see me again in 6-months. 6-months??? OMG, that's such a long time. This last time I waited 4-weeks to see him again and that seemed like forever!! This is creepy but I feel abandoned that he isn't going to see me for 6-months. Help...I could almost break down and cry.    — Kim L. (posted on May 19, 2003)

May 19, 2003
My surgeon saw me at 12 days post-op and then again at 10 weeks. After that, I wasn't scheduled to see him again for six months. That is standard operating procedure for him - as long as you aren't having problems. I ran into a couple of problems - a stricture and several hernias so I saw him more often than most. In fact, he even treated me for a jaw infection. Don't feel abandoned - it just means that you are doing great and believe me, the time will fly. Good luck with the Upper GI.
   — Patty_Butler

May 19, 2003
Thanks Patty....when you had your hernias....what were your symptoms and was there a "bulge" that you could feel? Or can you have a hernia without feeling the bulge?
   — Kim L.

May 19, 2003
Don't stress about this, Kim...you have us to hang out with for the six months between appointments. And if you need your surgeon for a problem (I hope you don't), then he will see you. Don't worry. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 19, 2003
Kim, I know exactly how you feel. I saw my surgeon for my 3 month visit last Friday (which was really 3-1/2 months) and he said he would see me in 3 months. I should be relieve because I have been in there so much due to problems with my incision healing and other issues, so this means I'm doing good, but I felt exactly the same way. I also felt like crying. I guess seeing him regularly was like a security blanket. I also thought that with his program we saw him monthly for the first year, but I guess I misunderstood. Either that or I already used up my allotment of visits with my incision. LOL I must have seen him at least 9-10 times in 3-1/2 months - about every 7-10 days. I had only planned to weigh at the surgeon's office, but I did not plan to go 3 months without weighing. I fit on a normal scale now but a little afraid of becoming scale obsessed again, like I did 9 years ago. I'm not sure what I will do. Probably leave the scale in the garage and try to weigh just once every two weeks or a month. I guess some day I will need to make nice with the scale and learn to deal with it but was hoping that was at least a year away. <p>Hang in there! Like the other poster said it's really because we are doing so well that we do not need to be seen more often. My surgeon made it clear that her and the bariatric nurse are available for any questions or problems and to feel free to call.
   — zoedogcbr

May 19, 2003
Oh how I can relate to your feeling of abandonment. I had my surgery in Chicago because I work just a few blocks from this highly reputable hospital and it's convenient for appointments during the day. Now my surgeon is taking a position in Hawaii. Kudos for him, but what about me? Yes, they will have someone take over but I want him! The aftercare program is done through another center affiliated with this hospital which is also convenient. Now my doctor there is gone...suddenly. The doctor I saw once when she was out is leaving in June. Okay, here I am with ALL new faces. YIKES! At 5 weeks out, I thought I'd have more familiarity with others after the surgery. So many changes...at a hospital that others are trying their best to get into, that has me worried. Good luck to you!
   — Diane S.

May 19, 2003
If you haven't already, now is the time to develop a good working relationship with your PCP. I saw my surgeon at 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months. I don't go back until my 1 year anni. In the mean-time my PCP takes good care of me, watches my labs, etc. A real lifesaver and my surgeon is only a phone call away should I need him.
   — [Deactivated Member]