Question:
When do you stop seeing your surgeon and just see the PCP?
My surgeon told me he was going to order blood tests and he forgot I guess. At any rate, I don't even understand why I still go there and he does not do anything for me. When did you stop seeing your surgeon and just visit the PCP? — Eleanore Davis (posted on February 5, 2004)
February 5, 2004
My PCP ordered my blood tests all along (I just asked the surgeon what I
should have him order). After my one-year visit with the surgeon, he
discharged me as a patient...JR
— John Rushton
February 5, 2004
I was released by my surgeon at my one year appt but he said he made a
life-long commitment to me and if I have any problems or questions with my
surgery to call him. he will be seeing me only once a year.
— Delores S.
February 5, 2004
My surgeon still see's me and it my 14th month. To tell you the truth I'd
rather see him. because my primary doctor has no clue about wls. it kind of
pees me off when he asks me 1000 questions about wls.
— Naes Wls J.
February 5, 2004
Because of a change in insurance, I couldn't afford to see my surgeon
anymore, so I asked if he could recommend a PCP for me to see on a regular
basis. He referred me to an associate of his, that knew all about WLS, and
what tests, long term were needed, and could fax all results over to him if
I wanted. It has worked out great, I have no problems so far. Hope this
helps. Big Hugs Melody
— Melody D.
February 5, 2004
I will see someone in my surgeons office once a year for the rest of my
life, or so that is the way the want it. I know I will keep going for a
while, but I trust my PCP to take care of me. She has done her research and
has other patients that have had wls. I think it is an individual choice.
As far as the tests, I would call and ask about them. Good luck!
— TheresaC
February 5, 2004
My surgeon expects to see me for the rest of my life. During the 1st year
of post-op, I went in every quarter to have blood tests done. During the
2nd year of post-op, I went in every 6 months and had blood tests done.
From post-op year 3 to forever, I go in once a year to have blood tests
done. I like my PCP but they really don't know anything about the RNY and
I would rather have a specialist who might catch something on my blood test
results that the PCP wouldn't because he isn't familiar with all of the
things that the RNY entails.
— Patty H.
February 5, 2004
I have been followed by my PCP before and after surgery. He is the one who
has decreased or stopped my medications when appropriate, and checked my
labs, as well as the surgeon. I am over a year out from surgery, and I
won't see my surgeon for another year. At this point, I am probably being
followed more for statistical purposes rather than personal. My PCP has
questions about WLS, and I am happy to answer them . I was the first
patient in his practice to have lap RNY. He also knows that I research
things pretty well and he respects my knowledge. Also, my PCP lets me know
what my labs were in a timely fashion (he has his assistant fax them to
me.) I never heard from my surgeon if my labs were okay; I could only
assume "no news is good news". If you have a good relationship
with your PCP, by all means keep seeing that doctor, and don't be afraid to
suggest he check certain labs - like B12, lipids, iron levels, etc., that
you know are important for post surgical weight loss people. Ultimately,
you are in charge - the doctors work for you (you pay them, right?) so ask
for what you need.
— koogy
February 6, 2004
I think that good surgeons would want to see their post-op patients once a
year (after the first year) to review lab work, bone density scans, and
gather statistics on how we are maintaining or not maintaining, etc. Its
thru these surgeons and their records that studies will be published and we
as a WLS community will learn from. While some PCPs have educated
themselves, they are usually not the experts in this area. The best of
both worlds is to see your PCP for "other than WLS" issues, but
have your PCP stay in touch with and develop a relationship with your
surgeon. My PCP has several patients that have had WLS from my surgeon and
they work well together. My labwork and bone scans are sent to both
offices.
— Cindy R.
February 7, 2004
My surgeon gives me the slip to have bloodwork done at each appt and asks
me to do it at least a week before the next appt so he's sure to have the
results. If my surgeon forgot to give the bloodwork order, I would have
called before the next appt, because you're right - there's not a lot of
point in going to that appt (if you're feeling well) otherwise.
I'm 16 months out and still seeing my surgeon every six months but I'll
probably be cancelling any future appts and letting my PCP do the bloodwork
unless something goes wrong - but that's because my insurance has changed
and my surgeon doesn't take my current insurance. Since I'm having no
problems it's just a matter of monitoring my labs now, but if that changed,
I wouldn't hesitate to call him. I always asked for a copy of my labs so
that I have the info and could tell my PCP what work I needed but my
surgeon's good about sending the results to my PCP anyway.
— sandsonik
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