Follow up care for the Mexico sleevers?

[DesertGal]

Question for you all:
Who orders blood tests and other tests to check on vitamin levels/labs etc... through out the follow up? Do you see your primary care doctors for this?

I am really not happy at all with my surgeon and his office practices (and it's too much drama to get into... for now), and told my husband I feel 'stuck' with the doctor because of the upcoming lab tests I have to have, and will have to have for a while. Then it dawned on me that not only can my primary care or rheumatologist order labs (I have them done every 3-4 months as it is for other things), but the people on here who travel to Mexico for the surgery need to see someone for after care. Any info would be MUCH appreciated at this point.

[Tamera2]

I see my endocrinologist for labs. My PCP was going to do it but since I have to see my endocrinologist already for regular blood work we decided to have her do it. Good luck to you.

[americangrrl]

I work in a dr.'s office, and for the actual lab.... the CRNP (who is my PCP) orders them... she has been taking care of everything fro me just fine..

[Pattimelt]

Hi Lori! My primary care physician is following me post op. In a few months I will go in and have him request labs for me. I don't see any reason why your rheumatologist can't do that for you, it seems since you're having labs anyway, he may as well add those others in.

[Shirl]

Question for you all:
Who orders blood tests and other tests to check on vitamin levels/labs etc... through out the follow up? Do you see your primary care doctors for this?

I am really not happy at all with my surgeon and his office practices (and it's too much drama to get into... for now), and told my husband I feel 'stuck' with the doctor because of the upcoming lab tests I have to have, and will have to have for a while. Then it dawned on me that not only can my primary care or rheumatologist order labs (I have them done every 3-4 months as it is for other things), but the people on here who travel to Mexico for the surgery need to see someone for after care. Any info would be MUCH appreciated at this point.

Lori,

I did not have surgery in Mexico, but I moved back to Texas about three months post op and had to find a new bariatric surgeon to follow up with. It has been a great find for me! I got connected with Southwest Bariatric Surgeon (SBS) in Austin, TX and they have a much better post care than what my own surgeon offered. I also connected with a primary care doctor through my insurance, but they were no help to be honest. Dr. Fass at SBS basically has ordered my labs at 6 months, 9 months and most recent my 12 month followup. I met with him yesterday in fact, and all labs are perfect this time! the 3 that had been low in the past labs: protein, vitD and iron are all normal along with all the others! He recommended a 6 month followup for the next two years, then annual follow-up.

These are the labs he has requested and I can basically take his request to any blood lab since I am paying cash:

- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- B12
- Thiamine (B1)
- Iron
- Vit D

This article/study report is helpful to gage what you will need the first year and beyond: http://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0415/p1403.html

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[DesertGal]

Hi Lori! My primary care physician is following me post op. In a few months I will go in and have him request labs for me. I don't see any reason why your rheumatologist can't do that for you, it seems since you're having labs anyway, he may as well add those others in.

I was going to send you an email as soon as I got off of here, and ask you this questions.

[DesertGal]

Thanks everyone for your helpful answers!

[sraebaer]

My PCP does all my labs, she knows exactly what extra things bariatric patients need, and how often. I was self- pay in the states, but my fee only covered follow up for 3 months.

But haven't you already paid for everything with your surgeon?

[Christie13]

I hate hearing how disappointing it is to see your surgeon. I absolutely love mine and could not imagine going to see a doctor that I did not like. Hope it works out for you Lori!

[lil_lisa]

I found out what my bariatric doctors order and have it done at my usual anual physical with my Primary doctor. Not sure if he knows what I need though? But has been ok so far. My Bariatric doctor is far away and their lab person is no good at taking blood, ugh.

[DesertGal]

My PCP does all my labs, she knows exactly what extra things bariatric patients need, and how often. I was self- pay in the states, but my fee only covered follow up for 3 months.

But haven't you already paid for everything with your surgeon?

Yes, we have paid everything and in fact, HE owes us money. A week and a half before surgery at my last appointment, the gal who weighed me told me I needed to bring in $1400. in the following week. $925. was for the surgeon and the rest was for his brother, the anesthesiologist. When I asked "WHY", I was told that THAT was their policy. I had to attend a mandatory meeting with my husband a few days after that. Otherwise no surgery the following week. I had never been told ANY of this in the 3 months of previous visits to the office. And at this time, the girl told me that IF there were to be a reimbursement, $500. would NOT be returned, because that is what "the program" costs. The what? What program? No one ever said I had to pay for a damn program. I pay my co pays each and every visit to this guy. I checked with my insurance immediately and the woman there said she had NEVER heard of that, especially because our insurance covered the surgery. I felt like a complete idiot when she asked me "WHY" did he require the money, and I told her "I have no idea." None was given to me.

Yesterday, my husband called their office and asked WHEN we'd be getting our refund. First they played dumb. Then they put him on hold and came back and said they don't mail those out. I'd have to go in and get the money. They brought up this $500. BS and I heard him ask "What exactly is THIS PROGRAM?" Then he told them they were scamming people. (I was crawling under the recliner about now.) When he hung up, I asked him "Ok, so what is 'the program?" He said they couldn't even tell him... something about "well you can get your protein drinks through us" and some other nonsense. And the ISOPURE they carry? They charge $5.00 a bottle. I bought one the day I left there when we had to pay our $1400. and GNC sells it for $3.99 a bottle. Some program.

This is why I asked about seeing who else can take over my blood work. ( I have the lab paperwork that I am supposed to have done in July, and I made a copy for future reference to have on hand to show whoever I decide to see for this from now on.) I DO NOT want to go back to these people. I feel like I've been taken (not to mention the horrible support group (loose term) that I went to on Monday.

[bigdogluver]

I have an adjacent problem, both my Endo and my Bariatric surgeon order lab tests and in June, it will be the second time that I will have to do blood tests for both. The last time I had to do blood for both, it left a permanent mark on my arm! I'm trying to get them to merge and share but neither office wants to give an inch! Yikes!

If I had my operation in Mexico, I would follow up with my GP. I would just make sure I had a good one.

Good luck!

[GigiUSA]

This is a great topic. I am going to get with my PCP for a follow up after my surgery. Then I can get regular labs. I just did not put this piece of the puzzle together yet.

[sraebaer]

Yes, we have paid everything and in fact, HE owes us money. A week and a half before surgery at my last appointment, the gal who weighed me told me I needed to bring in $1400. in the following week. $925. was for the surgeon and the rest was for his brother, the anesthesiologist. When I asked "WHY", I was told that THAT was their policy. I had to attend a mandatory meeting with my husband a few days after that. Otherwise no surgery the following week. I had never been told ANY of this in the 3 months of previous visits to the office. And at this time, the girl told me that IF there were to be a reimbursement, $500. would NOT be returned, because that is what "the program" costs. The what? What program? No one ever said I had to pay for a damn program. I pay my co pays each and every visit to this guy. I checked with my insurance immediately and the woman there said she had NEVER heard of that, especially because our insurance covered the surgery. I felt like a complete idiot when she asked me "WHY" did he require the money, and I told her "I have no idea." None was given to me.

Yesterday, my husband called their office and asked WHEN we'd be getting our refund. First they played dumb. Then they put him on hold and came back and said they don't mail those out. I'd have to go in and get the money. They brought up this $500. BS and I heard him ask "What exactly is THIS PROGRAM?" Then he told them they were scamming people. (I was crawling under the recliner about now.) When he hung up, I asked him "Ok, so what is 'the program?" He said they couldn't even tell him... something about "well you can get your protein drinks through us" and some other nonsense. And the ISOPURE they carry? They charge $5.00 a bottle. I bought one the day I left there when we had to pay our $1400. and GNC sells it for $3.99 a bottle. Some program.

This is why I asked about seeing who else can take over my blood work. ( I have the lab paperwork that I am supposed to have done in July, and I made a copy for future reference to have on hand to show whoever I decide to see for this from now on.) I DO NOT want to go back to these people. I feel like I've been taken (not to mention the horrible support group (loose term) that I went to on Monday.

Wow, sounds like you need to get the money they owe you and run. Sorry this is happening! Just talk your PCP, I'm sure they will know how to follow up with a bariatric patient, mine does, as we do need more things checked than the average person.

[DesertGal]

I have an adjacent problem, both my Endo and my Bariatric surgeon order lab tests and in June, it will be the second time that I will have to do blood tests for both. The last time I had to do blood for both, it left a permanent mark on my arm! I'm trying to get them to merge and share but neither office wants to give an inch! Yikes!

If I had my operation in Mexico, I would follow up with my GP. I would just make sure I had a good one.

Good luck!

My pcp and my rheumatologist do the same thing. They both were ordering complex blood work within a month of each other, they BOTH order the same blood work (the rheumy ordering a hair more usually), but the tests are almost spot on. I mentioned it to my pcp and she said she will get the lab results after I see the other doc. I have direct access to my lab results and so does my pcp, so pulling them off the computer is easy.) And it saves my insurance a lot of money!