Change of Doctors - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

momgreen · 10-28-2009, 02:08 PM

Has anyone had to switch surgeons, post-op? I'm really leaning towards it but, I am afraid I will have a hard time finding a doctor to take over my follow up care. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Amilea · 10-28-2009, 02:56 PM

I haven't had WLS yet, but I have had to switch doctors in the middle of a course of treatment. It was awkward for sure. But I found it easiest to find the new doctor first and then I simply went to the old doctor's office and explained to the officer personnel that I needed my records transferred to the new doctor. She gave me a rather odd look and the nurse tried to ask me questions, but I just smiled and said how much I would miss her (it was true, I liked her.) while filling out the form.

Keep in mind that you are not your doctor's first or last patient. This happens. People's needs change. It isn't personal for them.

As to finding a doctor to take over your care, if there were no doctors willing to do that then lapband patients would have to follow their doctor wherever they went for life!

I guess I just want to encourage you to do what feels right. If you aren't getting what you need then find someone who will help you take care of you.

Highlandlass · 10-28-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momgreen

Has anyone had to switch surgeons, post-op? I'm really leaning towards it but, I am afraid I will have a hard time finding a doctor to take over my follow up care. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Hi, Just wondering why you would want to change surgeons post - op. Are you having complications or needing to see the surgeon often? I just ask because I probably won't need to see the surgeon (fingers crossed) very often post op. My Family Doctor is handling the month to month care and giving the B12 shots and doing the weigh ins. Maybe if you expanded a bit you would get more advice.

dswofford · 10-28-2009, 05:08 PM

Have you looked around yet? Why do you want to change? if you don't mind me asking..

momgreen · 10-28-2009, 06:18 PM

Sorry for the delayed response, I am using my phone to reply. The reason I am looking for another dr is, I am in Sac and my dr is in San Fran. When I started the process, the drive wasn't bad. It still isn't really. However, when I have an issue, he wants me to go to the hospital down there. Its a 2 hour drive for me, at best. Lately, I have been feeling dehydrated and completely exhausted. I'm not sure I can make the drive! To add to the frustrations, they are in the process of repairing the Bay Bridge. This is the second time in a month that it has been closed due to structural issues. This time, a part of the bridge fell on an oncoming car. I have some serious anxiety driving over that damn bridge! I constantly remember the top level collapsing onto the bottom level during an earthquake. Now, I will bite the bullet and drive it if I need to. My biggest concern is the distance when I need to see my dr.

dswofford · 10-28-2009, 06:53 PM

I would be honest with your current Dr and ask him if he knows someone in your area that he would recomend if you have been happy with his service so far. I am sure they will understand that the drive is not in your best interest.

shiver · 10-28-2009, 06:53 PM

We all look up to Dr.'s. But I think we often forget that we HIRED them to do a service for us. We can fire them also. The only person responsible for your health is you. If you are not happy with your Dr. for any reason it is OK to fire them.

I agree that the best way to handle this situation is to go Dr. shopping first. The internet is your friend. Google weight loss surgery for your area and see what comes up and what people are saying about the Dr.'s there. Then set up an appointment for the interview, most will let you interview for free. After you have found someone you like in your area no need to go back to the old Dr.'s. The new office can request your records for you if you agree and sign a release. Not only will this save you time by not driving all the way to the old office, but it would be free.

I hope all goes well for you in this journey. Good luck

AirForceW1fe · 10-28-2009, 07:31 PM

I am in the process of switching surgeons due to the Air Force moving us again. I will be honest, I had a really really hard time finding a surgeon that would take me if they did not operate on me. I contacted at least 8 surgeons before I found one that would see me. This actually really angered me. I just don't get it. Either way they are getting paid to care for us, why should it matter.

Anyway I hope you don't run into the same issue. I wish you luck.

kovy · 10-28-2009, 08:23 PM

eegads. i hope i don't have too much trouble when i have to switch doctors. i am already nervous about it. i want to get the surgery done ASAP, and especially while we are still covered under tricare and will most likely not have any issues since i'll be going through the hospital on-post. but, we will be moving sometime next summer when my husband's time in the army is up.

i guess i just need to start calling around as soon as we know what our move date will be so that i can make the transition as smoothly as possible.

*crosses fingers*

poet_kelly · 10-29-2009, 07:25 AM

I have changed surgeons twice. First, the doctor who did my surgery closed his practice in July, so I had to find someone else to do follow up. The guy I found, I then decided was a total idiot. So I found someone else. I had no trouble finding someone else willing to do follow up. I had some trouble finding people that take my insurance, but that was an issue when finding my first doc. I did call one office and was told they didn't do follow for other surgeons. But that was just one place.

The second new surgeon I have not actually seen yet. I see her for the first time in December. I have to pay a program fee. My first surgeon had a program fee, stuff that wasn't covered by insurance. I think it was supposed to cover the class I had to attend and some educational materials. The second surgeon didn't charge me any kind of program fee. But this new one says I have to pay their program fee. Which kind of annoys me. Because I won't be going to the pre-op classes. They said it covers the dietician, too. But I'm still annoyed. So be aware that you may run into that.

Kelly