Dealing with PCP for Mexico Sleevers

[jan8j 30]

I am scheduled for surgery in Cancun in June. I am still undecided about telling my current Primary Care Physician that I am having the surgery. I haven't been entirely happy with her and I have been thinking of returning to another doctor I used to see, but they are 20 miles away. I'm not sure that the current PCP will approve of Mexico, which would be another reason to switch. From those of you who have had the surgery, I would like to know what type of aftercare the PCP will need to provide. I would also like to hear any tips or experiences others have had with their PCP and their decision to have the surgery in Mexico. Is it advisable to consult with a PCP before the surgery, or can you wait until afterwards? (Of course I realize all decisions are relative, depending upon the particular situation.) Thanks!!

[TexasMiss 314]

Don't tell them your going to Mexico, say your going to California cause its cheaper...not a complete lie lol. I was lucky. When I told mine she was so excited for me! As long as I was going to TJ and not across from us to Juarez she had no problem with it. She isn't a specialist or a nutritionist, but she has done everything she can to help me. If she doesn't know, she will find answers to my questions. She's awesome!

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

Don't lie. Tell your PCP your plans. Explain you're not looking for approval but merely keeping them informed. Ask your PCP if they will continue to provide care postop. If not, shop around... But don't lie or hide stuff.

[SerendipityHappens 1,594]

I haven't even been to my PCP yet. I was told to have bloodwork done at 6 months out to check my Vitamin levels.. and to see my PCP if I had any concerns with incisions.

I'm sure if I had co-morbidities to manage such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol issues, then I'd have to go sooner in order to make sure the medication levels are right but thankfully this is not something I have to worry about.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

I was up front with my PCP but he was just so thrilled I got rid of the band. He doesn't care if I did the surgery myself while out of the country. He's there to provide care to me regardless if why, what kind, or where I've had previous care. All docs should be this way. If yours isn't ... find another. If needed, your PCP can consult with a bariatric doc or If it's something outside of their level they will arrange for you to see the specialist. Costly, but if it's urgent that's the way it is.

[Keepgoing247 116]

I was also worried about telling my PCP, but she was thrilled for me. I have been following up with her post op and everything has been great.

Good luck!

[TexasMiss 314]

I think we have this fear that they will respond like everyone else (you're what? mexico? Are you crazy? lol) but they should be on your side and proud of you taking steps to a healthier you. If not, find a doc that does!

[jan8j 30]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I'm going to see her in the next month and tell her I am going to do it. I think she is from India, so she should be open to going other places. And if I get a bad reaction, I can always go back to my old doctor. I like her personally, but she seems to like doing tests and prescribing medicine. She wanted me to take metformin because she just diagnosed me as Type II Diabetic, but I took it for a while several years ago, when another DR said I was pre-diabetic. After several months, I realized it was doing me more harm than good. I could hardly go anywhere because I always felt I had to be near a bathroom (if you know what I mean!). And it also turned my fingernails to mush. If it does that, I hate to imagine what it might be doing to bones and other things. She also put me on Lipitor-high cholesterol, both good and bad, runs in my family. I twisted my knew a few months ago. It took ages, but finally seemed to be healing, and then that knee and the other knee both started feeling stiff and sore all the time--leaving me to fear that I was going to lose mobility. I saw an ambulance chaser commercial about how Lipitor can cause joint and tendon problems, as well as raising your blood sugar levels. I already knew it could cause muscle pain. I did some research on the reputable medical sites and found it is true about the joints/tendons and blood sugar. So I quit taking it several weeks ago and after a few days, both knees are just fine. I can't believe what a difference it made. It just reinforces my opinion that medicines can have bad side effects. So after that long story, I am really excited about getting sleeved in June! And my hope is that there will be no more meds after that!