After care

[nurse ison 11]

For those of you that went out of

your area to have surgery, how did you address follow up care?

I plan on going to Mexico. I'm affraid that should I need a doctor here, in the states, that they won't take me because they didn't do my surgery.

What have others done?

[bdcsail 72]

I had my surgery in Mexico. I followed up with my family doctor. Any specific questions I emailed or called the aftercare doctor who was assigned to me. Haven't had any issues. I also made sure before I left that I would be covered under OHIP (canadian healthcare insurance). They said they would cover if any complications.

[nurse ison 11]

I never thought about my insurance not covering any issue I might have after. Not that I'm expecting any, just trying to cover all basis.

Thank you so much.

What hospital & doc did you use?

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Is your GP aware you are having surgery? They can usually address any f/u care you may need. BTW, it's illegal for a doctor to refuse care here in the US.

[haleytrim 244]

That was a really big concern for me as my insurance does not cover any weight loss treatment and will not cover any complications caused by weight loss surgery. I am 5 days post op from Mexico and everything has been text book. Thank the Good Lord and everyone on here who sent prayers up for me.

Anyway, I will see my GP for BP and endocrinologist for diabetes, and hope for the best.

As for my surgeon in Mexico, Dr. jaime Ponce de leon has a great team and I couldn't have been in better hands. I had the sleeve, gallbladder removal, and a small hernia repaired. The Docs and nurses at INT Hospital said I did better with my 3 procedures than most people do with just the one procedure.

[nurse ison 11]

My GP is not aware. I've been seeing him for 19 years. I'm affraid he'll try to talk me out of it. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't need to follow up specifically with a bariatric doc.

That's great haleytrim!

[Kindle 8,667]

I had my surgery at Obesity Control Center in TJ. Excellent care, perfect, easy recovery. The surgeons and entire staff are top notch. My PCP has taken care of all of my followup bloodwork here in the states. Both he and my OB/Gyn have been supportive with my decision to have WLS in Mexico (thank goodness!). I ended up getting a clostridial infection 6 weeks postop from antibiotics for a tooth abscess, and my surgeon's office in Mexico consulted with my gastroenterologist and PCP to resolve the issue. They (Obesity Control Center) have a designated followup doctor on staff who is readily available via phone and email. It's been great peace of mind. Luckily I haven't needed any care from a bariatric specialist because the closest one is over 2 hours away.

Edited November 22, 2014 by Kindle

[nurse ison 11]

That's awesome! I'm feeling more & more comfortable andwith my decision to go to Mexico.

Glad you had a great recovery!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@nurse ison - I would just send him a quick note that you will be having the procedure, even if it's the day before you leave. Then have the surgical center forward a copy of their report to him just in case.

I've been with my GP for 20 years. I trust her with completely. She truly centralizes my healthcare. I have every specialist I see forward a copy of my records to her. I couldn't have a doctor I couldn't rely on.

[nurse ison 11]

That's a good idea...send an email.

Thanks!

[Kindle 8,667]

And make sure you get your records from down there. OCC provided my preop bloodwork results, ECG printout, OR report and notes. Some places can even get you a DVD of your surgery and postop X-rays. I had a postop barium fluoroscopy instead of a radiograph, so there was no hard copy for me to have.

[grandma54 11]

I am going on December 15 with dr. Ponce de leon also. Haleytrim!! It's great to hear everything went well!