My surgeon has a Physician's Assistant. I haven't seen him since my first follow up (2 weeks post surgery). I heard they hired a second Physician's Assistant as well. I probably won't see him again, and I'm ok with that. If you want to see the surgeon, ask when you make your appointment and find out what their protocol is.

Your surgeon is just that, the surgeon. He inserts the band and the PA, Physician's Assistant, takes over from there. Most people see the surgeon on the first follow-up visit so he can make sure there are no surgical problems and then his "job" is done. I am sure if you needed her/him, you could make an appointment, but there is really no need. The PA is well trained and there to make things easier for you and to answer your questions. So, I guess you really don't want to see the surgeon beause by not seeing him, there are no problems. Make sense? I hope so.

I haven't seen my surgeon since my surgery. However, he does fills, I just happen to schedule mine with one of his associates. He is excellent and gives me the after care that I want and need. Think it through and decide if you really have an issue with your aftercare. If you do, schedule an appointment with your surgeon to correct it! But chances are they have the right people in the right jobs to help you. Best of luck!!

I have the option of seeing my doc or his nurse practitioner. I vote for the nurse practitioner every time. They are both excellent at what they do but when I see the doc the wait is much longer and he doesn't give me the warm fuzzy feelings that the NP does. It's really up to the individual practice and doc whether he does the post op/fills etc but you can always ask the next time you call. Good luck!

Ok. That makes sense. I think that I was dissapointed when my surgeon didn't even do my post op appointment. Her nurse asked my if I was ok and that pretty much summed up the appointment.

The same nurse will do my fills. Hopefully she will have a bit more time in the future.

I am anxious about my fill Monday. I'm bigger than a lot of the people here. Hoping it's not too hard to find the port under all that stuff!

My first visit i was surprised when the PA came in and asked me all the questions, but when he was finished he introduced me to the surgeon and then we talked. My other 3 appointments had been with the PA (who is very nice). I have a pre-op appt. with the surgeon on 9/14, I guess i will see who it will be with. Hopefully the surgeon does the surgery, but I know Dean (PA) will be in the operating room. In NJ an assistant has to be in the operating room with the surgeon. I was a little taken back that i don't see much of the surgeon. But i noticed when I am in the office he is there seeing other patients that need fills.