Where do you go for followup care after getting WLS outside the US

[viana1 16]

I plan to have WLS outside of the US if everything works out as planned. I'm living in Europe now but plan to move back to the US this summer. I'm waiting for surgery and don't know if it will happen before I leave or not. If it does will dr's in the states take me on as a patient? Do you go to a regular dr. or a weight loss surgeon? I won't have insurance when I arrive will that be a problem. How much will it cost me?

Any advice would be wonderful. I want to have the surgery so badly but don't want to have complications when I go back and not have anywhere to turn.

[jen1211 203]

I would call and check with doc's before you head back. A lot of people have had problems finding aftercare after having surgery elsewhere.

[abetterme4.2 268]

I plan to have WLS outside of the US if everything works out as planned. I'm living in Europe now but plan to move back to the US this summer. I'm waiting for surgery and don't know if it will happen before I leave or not. If it does will dr's in the states take me on as a patient? Do you go to a regular dr. or a weight loss surgeon? I won't have insurance when I arrive will that be a problem. How much will it cost me?

Any advice would be wonderful. I want to have the surgery so badly but don't want to have complications when I go back and not have anywhere to turn.

This was a concern of mine but the surgery was important to me. i scheduled the surgery, then contacted my PCP and I asked him if he would do my follow-up. (I just got back this am from Mexico). He researched it a little bit, including my surgeon of choice.

We did complete labs and pre-op before I left, not that we doubted the surgeon in Mexico, but to insure I was a good candidate before I invested time, money, and effort.

I will go in to see him in 3 months and we will check labs to see how I am doing.

I would definitely recommend getting a primary doctor AHEAD of time to do your follow-ups. It's good to have someone on your side and peace of mind instead of needing one at the last minute and not being able to find one. For emergencies, you will have to go to an emergency room, which is the case in most emergencies. (Lol - sounds like an oxymoron)

Hope this helps.