Follow up care

[zetagirl210]

What are my fellow Mexico sleever's doing or plan on doing for your follow up care? I initally thought that I could go to my PCP for follow up as needed. Then I found a local baratric physician (who's self pay cost is $16,000) who is willing to do any follow up care for me. He charges a $1,000 "program fee" and then every office visit would cost $75 (unless my insurance pays for it, which I doubt).
What should I do? Any advice....

[connie]

I have not had the surgery yet, what I do understand is that you don't really have any follow up care except to take the stitches out. I know how to do that. Dr Almanza's staff provides the answers to any questions you might have after surgery also. IF there are complications I am going to go to my PCP and if he is unable to satisfy whatever is wrong then he will refer me to a special guy---that is how my insurance works. So far I have not seen where anyone on here has required any special care after surgery.

[krj72450]

My PCP will be doing my follow up care. If something goes majorly wrong, he will ensure I am stablized enough to make the trip back to Mexico. Dr. Alvarez says he will repair any leaks, etc. for free if I can get there.

[zetagirl210]

Thanks Connie & Kim

[Pmcphi]

I, too, just go to my PCP. So far, it's been almost three months and no complications. I hope it stays that way. Good luck!

[yankegal]

where in Mx are you going? I see that you live in Tx are you going to Monterey, Mx for your surgery? the dr. there also has drs is Tx that will take care of his patients, It was Dr Zapata, I was going to go to him but he was much more expensive then I could afford. I hear from everyone that there is no follow up care, but a family dr. could also check you periodicly so my opinion If your having the sleeve, why would you need to spend 1,000 for a dr. to just say ok your fine. good luck with your decision.

[zetagirl210]

where in Mx are you going? I see that you live in Tx are you going to Monterey, Mx for your surgery? the dr. there also has drs is Tx that will take care of his patients, It was Dr Zapata, I was going to go to him but he was much more expensive then I could afford. I hear from everyone that there is no follow up care, but a family dr. could also check you periodicly so my opinion If your having the sleeve, why would you need to spend 1,000 for a dr. to just say ok your fine. good luck with your decision.

Yankegal-I'm going to Tijuana, MX to Dr. Almanza. You're right...the $1,000 "program fee" seemed like it was more of a fee to take on the risk of having a patient from Mx. There were a couple dr's that bordered TX, but they were too expensive.

[leilani]

I was cash pay here in Las Vegas and the 6 week post op was included so I went to that and it was about 5 minutes at which he determined that I was doing well in all regards and said I need to come back for a 3 month check up. When I called to make that appointment, I learned that I would have to pay $150 for it so I told the receptionist that I was doing fine and that I didn't have any questions (because I get all my answers here!) and that if the doctor wanted an update for his records I would be happy to come in at his expense. She was a bit stunned but put it in my notes, that was over a month ago and I have not heard from them! I have not had any problems but I will go to my pcp for a checkup and bloodwork somewhere around the 6 month mark.

[homersmomma]

It seems to me that if you already have a primary care physician and your surgeon discharges you back to your PCP it should not matter where the surgeon is. I plan on keeping my doctor in the loop even though I am going across the border.I will be bringing him surgical notes reports and chart for him to review. I just don't see any difference between taking care of me fat and MANAGING my co-morbidities vs my growing health. I do however intend to be seeing a lot less on him over time. I see a lot of snobby behavior towards non-American Doctors and there really isn't any reason for it, maybe the fear of loosing a patient in an unconventional way, better health.

[bobbybeegood]

my daughter had a lot of conflict with her PCP over the Mx surgery so she went to urgent care for her needs now. She went for her yearly OB checkup & her OB/GYN said he would be happy with her follow up care. He was happy she had the surgery & although not pleased with the MX aspect, but understood why. Both Megan & my self paid half for the both of us what 1 would have cost in Orlando at the self pay rate. Dr. Almanaz recommends a leak test or GI series at 3 months out. So, there are many ways to get your follow up care if you work the system to your advantage.

[yankegal]

I went to my family dr. and he knew how bad I wanted this surgery because of all my comorbidites. he had no problem with me going to mx. we discussed this and he just wants me to call him after the surgery. he even gave me pain meds, (liquid) and med. for the plane ride he knows I get anxious and nervous on a plane. He even filled out my fml forms for me. hes a gem!

[phardin1]

My PCP did a full pre op and will follow up with anything I need t home. I also purchased the 12 month insurance through Dr. Alamanza that pays my airfare and any medical expenses I may have; that's just for my own peace of mind.

[KarenMc]

That all sounds great, but make sure you have your labs checked. supposed to be done at 3 months to make sure you aren't low is anything. The 3 months check, from what I understand only needs to be done by a nurse... Your regular physician could probably do it for you. I think it's the Thiamin(sp?), VitD, and a couple others that my surgeon is concerned with at the 3 month check....

[phardin1]

Good to know, thanks for sharing. I"ll check with my PCP when I go in for my annual and to have my stitches removed.

[Janese58]

What are my fellow Mexico sleever's doing or plan on doing for your follow up care? I initally thought that I could go to my PCP for follow up as needed. Then I found a local baratric physician (who's self pay cost is $16,000) who is willing to do any follow up care for me. He charges a $1,000 "program fee" and then every office visit would cost $75 (unless my insurance pays for it, which I doubt).
What should I do? Any advice....

I think this local bariatric doctor is a rip off...sorry just MHO. $1000.00 bucks..really? Plus the $75 a visit. And you have insurance too?