Telling family Doctor about surgery

[MUA 18]

So I'm seeing my family Dr today for the first time since I decided to book my surgery for gastric sleeve in Mexico! I'll be telling him I'm getting it done November 10th & worried he is not going to approve of me leaving the country for my surgery or having it done at all! Did anyone else have difficulties getting support from their family Dr when doing travel Medical Tourism surgery? I'm from Canada so Medical stuff is paid by our government but a gastric sleeve is a 3 year wait list which is just too long of a wait! I'm going to ask my Dr for all the preliminary testing, let's hope he agrees!!

[Miss Mac 6,262]

August of last year, I asked my doctor if he hought I might be a good candidate for a lap band. He was very helpful and referred me to a colleague who was a bariatric surgeon. As it turns out, I was sleeved four months later after going through all of my insurance requirements. I am a slow loser, but down 65 pounds at this point and feeling better in many ways.

[#9grammy 274]

My family doctor wouldn't help me or give me a referral. Said its to much to go through for medicare you have to jump through hoops to get there.

Funny medicare didn't require a referral, I went and saw the surgeon who recommended me for wls. I went through all the hoops and now I see my family dr on Tues, I will be telling him about my surgery on the 27th.

[AvaFern 3,516]

So this is probably a dumb question, but do you need his approval? I've never dealt with Candadian healthcare, but is there any reason you can't just go to Mexico and have it done on your own? If you're paying for it, I see no reason you have to tell your family doctor...what business is it of theirs? It's your decision, so if there isn't any legal requirement, who cares if your doctor likes it or not.

[Ladiec2 74]

I agree with AvaFern. Why would you need your PCP's approval if you're doing self-pay. Many of these doctors don't want us to have this done because some of our health issues will improve and therefore we won't need to see them as often...they lose money and we gain better health. Go for it girl!

[MUA 18]

Well that went better then expected, Dr didn't say anything negative or positive just took notes. His only concern was that all the pre surgery requisition was happening on the same day as surgery and how would my surgeon adjust something that may come up in my results in time for surgery. What if something critical came up and I couldn't get it done that day or week!?

In Canada all those Dr checks take months to get into to see a specialist for endoscopy, heart specialist, radiology scan of abdomen etc. I have high blood pressure at the moment so I have to monitor that. My Dr is sending me for blood work and hopefully I can get into having my stomach & gallbladder X-ray!

Thanks for everyone's input!! I'm doing this surgery in T.J no matter what!!!

[McButterpants 2,846]

I WANTED my primary care doctor's approval - I wanted her advice and her support.

I did fear telling her because I didn't know what her opinion on weight loss surgery was. I went in armed with statistics, weight history (I had only been a patient for about 2 years), lab results, etc. I didn't need them...

She was so excited when I told her what I wanted to do. I was self-pay and told her I was heading to Las Vegas for surgery - she asked a lot of questions about the surgeon and how I decided on him. She was very supportive and offered to do anything she could to help me.

I think getting the buy-in of your primary care doctor or at least having a dialogue with him or her is important...best of luck

[built2livenotexist 119]

I did not tell my PCP about my surgery which is in Mexico next Wednesday. I've had this same doc for ten years and when I first broached the subject a few years back she was incredibly unsupportive. She told me that I should just eat less and be more active and "do it on my own" She is a firm believer in will power and she's not the only person ever that's taken that position about wls, so I've only shared with my mom, a trustworthy friend and my therapist. In all other respects, my doc has been encouraging and open minded but I just don't need any guff from anyone.

[fourthsisfour 14]

Hubby and I went to Costa Rica 11/2013. We told family doctor when we got back. She was a bit taken back then move on to why we were there. Two weeks after our return he ended up with a very serious.....unrelated to vsg.....intestinal issue and had 3 feet of small intestine removed. The staff at hospital...especially doctors....were very judgmental and did not understand how we could possibly leave our "fantastic" medical system to have this done. Well first, our system/insurance did not pay for it here. And second, the care we received in Costa Rica was far superior to our system here in the US. I've been an RN in this community for 30 years and I did not take going out of the country lightly.

My main concern was if we had complications when we returned home would we be able to get treated. I know how surgeons are and they don't like to mess with other surgeons' work. Our VSG surgeon assured us that he had three affiliates here in Florida to care for us if needs. Not in our town, but within 3 hours. Fortunately, the surgeries were smooth and accurate and the best thing we ever did. Do your homework. Good luck....it's a leap of faith but most people don't seem to have regrets.

[pinkbunies 359]

Remember that you employ your Doctor and who cares if you get his approval. Of course they don't want you going to Mexico... everything is so much cheaper there. They will try to tell you night mares about Mexico, but pause for a moment and remember that malpractice happens everyday in the US & I'm sure Canada. No one is perfect, even when it comes to health care.

[bdcsail 72]

As a fellow Canadian it was one of my biggest fears telling my family doctor. I originally booked a appointment but my husband said that my doctor would for sure talk me out of it, so I canceled my appointment with family doctor. Instead I did the surgery in Tijuana and finally told my doctor this past week when I went to do a check in with her one month after the surgery. I was a nervous wreck. She agreed she would have tried to talk me out of it. But felt I went well informed and haven't had any problems. The only call I did do pre surgery was call OHIP to make sure they would be no problems with coverage if there was complications. Good luck.

[MUA 18]

Thank you everyone!! I love this forum for all the support you get on here! I am seeing Dr Ramos Kelly in Tijuana, who is everyone else's DR im Mexico?

[MUA 18]

Nova... My friend had hers done there and said the hospital and staff were great!

[packerfan 1]

I have my first appointment with my Dr tomorrow to discuss sleeve surgery. She is actually the nurse practitioner but I see her instead of the Dr for most everything. I may have to see him at some point in this process. She is actually the one who suggested this for me. High BP and cholesterol are controlled with medication but I haven't been able to lose any weight. I have arthritis in my knees and back and need to do something. At first, I dismissed the thought of doing this surgery. Months later, I decided to research the issue and have decided to tell my Dr that I am ready to pursue this plan. I am 51 and at this point, I just need to get on the right track so I can stay around to old age!

Part of me is naturally terrified, but after researching I am also excited about the prospect of finally being able to LIVE.

It's a giant undertaking, but if all of you can do it, so can I!

So...away we go!

[vipgilbert 9]

MUA my husband and I are having surgery with Dr Kelly on November 10 too see you there!