Questions about follow up care

[MSgirlinFL 0]

I am new and am looking to getting sleeved by Dr. Aceves on July 25th. I talked to my local pcp who was concerned about who I would be able to see locally in Daytona Beach, Florida area for any follow up care or concerns. She knew that the Dr. Sebastian (local bariatric surgeon in DB) does not see patients who have had procedures in Mexico. Does anyone know of a doctor in Daytona Beach or Jacksonville who doesn't mind seeing us who have been sleeved in Mexico?

Also, I am very nervous as my pcp and several friends have said "for that money you should just hire a personal trainer and get fit". :confused: This has really bummed me out. I am excited about seeing the results of the sleeve and having the restrictions from it. I have been overweight always but more than 60 pounds following 2004 when I had my third child (13 months from my second child--oops). As I live so far from Mexico, I would like to have a doctor who would see me if I get dehydrated or something else.

My doctor did prescribe hypothyroid meds today as she stated that my lab results show low to normal results. Will this effect my surgery success?:confused1:

I just need a pep talk from others who are in my shoes. I really want the surgery and the success!! I would also be interested to get to know others who will be going to Dr. Aceves July 24th.

Thanks for listening.

Deanna

Edited June 29, 2009 by MSgirlinFL

[carolnphx 16]

I am new and am looking to getting sleeved by Dr. Aceves on July 25th...

My doctor did prescribe hypothyroid meds today as she stated that my lab results show low to normal results. Will this effect my surgery success?:confused1:

Thanks for listening.

Deanna

HI Deanna, Welcome to the board. Congrads for your date.

It is good your doc discovered your thyroid results were off and prescribed you meds. The thyroid does have some control over your metabolism and therefore does affect wt loss/gain. I had a tumor on my thyroid and had 3/4 of my thyroid removed maybe 10 years ago. I have taken meds for hypothyroidism ever since. As long as the doctor monitors your TSH (thyroid) level by taking a normal blood draw and keeps you with in limits you are fine. Don't be concerned about this. Your doctor has you headed in right direction. It might take a couple changes in med dosages to get your level right. Not a big deal at all.

Again welcome and hope to hear from you soon. carol

[TennJenn 9]

I spoke with my PCP about having the VSG in Mexico a few months ago. While she wasn't thrilled with the idea, she was supportive. She is going to be the one I see for any follow up care I may need. I told her I would probably see her about 3 months post op for some blood work (to make sure I am getting enough nutrients). She told me to bring in the list of tests needed and how it should be coded for insurance to pay.

I believe most VSG'ers who go to Mexico see their PCP for follow ups. It's not like having the lapband where you would need fills. Good luck!

[burnsun 27]

My new PCP will order them for me... she should just code the teasts as she would if she was ordering to my understandining it is not a "bariatric panel" or a special upper GI... I only paid out of pocket for stuff I didn't want my insurance company to know about.....fills and other stuff. I did go to Mexico for an endo scope....... but that was when I had the band.

You could say wour are experienceing a lot of reflux if you wanted,,,,, I do not lie but I do not give my insurance company any more information than they need either. I even waited to get life insurance till we were past the " why did you loose so much weight and the 3 year surgery / doctor look back"

and if I needed Fluid or their was an Emergency they would send me to the hospital here where there is a Bariatric Program and he would take care of it under dyhydrations,....... usually the cause is not the issue....... for my with the big emergency I had with my band.....they paid for all, including the consultations with the bariatric surgeons the xrays and endoscopes..... the anethiasologist (sp) and all the or stuff just not the surgeons fees for the actual surgery or when he tried removing the last 1 ml (which was suppossed to not be there)....... he is still fighting my insurance company due to the life threatening for me and the baby......I sort of gave up........ I just decided it was worth ot not to have gotten the whole bill!

[blueskidoo 0]

My surgery is July 23 with Dr. Aceves. So my hubby and I will probably be seeing you there!

[Elisabethsew 50]

I am new and am looking to getting sleeved by Dr. Aceves on July 25th. I talked to my local pcp who was concerned about who I would be able to see locally in Daytona Beach, Florida area for any follow up care or concerns. She knew that the Dr. Sebastian (local bariatric surgeon in DB) does not see patients who have had procedures in Mexico. Does anyone know of a doctor in Daytona Beach or Jacksonville who doesn't mind seeing us who have been sleeved in Mexico?

There really isn't a lot of follow-op with the sleeve. You can go to your PCP for routine check-ups and blood work and that MD can refer you to whatever other MD you should see... perhaps a GI specialist for an endoscopy at 3 months post-op?

Also, I am very nervous as my pcp and several friends have said "for that money you should just hire a personal trainer and get fit". :confused: This has really bummed me out.

Obesity is a complex disease. If you could lose weight without the aid of surgery, you would have done so already. Ignore people who can't relate, are jealous, or don't want to understand.

I am excited about seeing the results of the sleeve and having the restrictions from it. I have been overweight always but more than 60 pounds following 2004 when I had my third child (13 months from my second child--oops). As I live so far from Mexico, I would like to have a doctor who would see me if I get dehydrated or something else.

EMTALA laws requires emergency rooms to treat all patients regardless of their ability to pay or not. You have nothing to worry about.

My doctor did prescribe hypothyroid meds today as she stated that my lab results show low to normal results. Will this effect my surgery success?:laugh0:

No. Most people do not lose weight when placed on medication. I have hypothyroidism and take 88 mcg of synthroid a day. It did not interfere with my surgery.

I just need a pep talk from others who are in my shoes. I really want the surgery and the success!! I would also be interested to get to know others who will be going to Dr. Aceves July 24th.

Thanks for listening.

Deanna

You're doing what's best for you so listen to your gut and move forward.

[Malaika 50]

I am new and am looking to getting sleeved by Dr. Aceves on July 25th. I talked to my local pcp who was concerned about who I would be able to see locally in Daytona Beach, Florida area for any follow up care or concerns. She knew that the Dr. Sebastian (local bariatric surgeon in DB) does not see patients who have had procedures in Mexico.

Also, I am very nervous as my pcp and several friends have said "for that money you should just hire a personal trainer and get fit". :laugh0: This has really bummed me out. I am excited about seeing the results of the sleeve and having the restrictions from it. I have been overweight always but more than 60 pounds following 2004 when I had my third child (13 months from my second child--oops). As I live so far from Mexico, I would like to have a doctor who would see me if I get dehydrated or something else.

I just need a pep talk from others who are in my shoes. I really want the surgery and the success!! I would also be interested to get to know others who will be going to Dr. Aceves July 24th.

Thanks for listening.

Deanna

My PCP was exactly the opposite - he supported me, told me he would be happy to continue treating me and would be anxious to hear about the entire experience. Perhaps this is because he is from India originally and doesn't have hang-ups about doctors outside of the US? I don't know, don't care, just happy to have his support.

As for hiring a trainer and "getting fit" - sure that might work -- right up until you quit having a trainer ... then you'd be back to square one and out 2x the amount of money because you'd still be paying Dr. Aceves.

Hang in there, know that you've made the right choice for you and to heck with those who don't understand it. And if your pcp won't take care of you, find one who will.

[Lisanne 5]

First of all.....dont listen to others who just try to hurt ur feelings, insult, etc. Its so easy for others, who arent in our situation, to pass judgment and give advice....when most times, they just need to shut up. Do what you think is best for you and ur health. That is whats important...not that I have a problem with a trainer..but thats not going to solve the problem, etc..

Second..... as for follow up care, you basically dont need any. You might need some stitches removed. I dont know how Dr. Aceves does things, etc..

Ask your PCP if he will continue to see u as a patient. The only thing he would need to do is stitches removal and regular lab work, which he should be doing anyway, esp if you already have health issues..

I never needed any follow up care. However, I spoke to my PCP/Internist b4 having the Sleeve and he agreed to continue my regular care. If I had had an emergency once I came back home, I would have gone to the ER. I removed my own stitches, so I didnt see my PCP until I was a month out and I was doing ok and he was pleased with my progress.

Good luck!

Edited June 30, 2009 by ladiesassie

[Malaika 50]

Nope - no suture removal following Dr. Aceves' surgery.

He recommends a upper GI and blood work at 3 months.