Medical followup after the sleeve: PCP or surgeon?

[byebyedarkpassenger 203]

It seems the more I learn about the sleeve, the more questions I have! One is about follow-up care. It seems that when complications arise that may be related to the sleeve (reflux, GI problems), sleeved folks tend to see their surgeon instead of their primary care physician. Am I understanding this correctly? It would make sense given that the surgeon's team would know more about sleeve-related complications but where does your primary care physician fit into this? Curious to hear about your experiences. Thanks!

[jeanniereenie 177]

i see both , my pcp and my surgery team. my pcp handles my everyday meds (which i am off of) and any non sleeve related stuff, like strep throat... and my surgery team handles blood work and weigh ins and any complications i have that i think may be related to the sleeve, heartburn, pain etc.

you will learn more about that once you get there....

congrats!

[7 Bites_Jen 479]

For the first 18 months after surgery, I saw my surgeon on anything and everything gastric related. Everything else was my PCP.

[bikrchk 1,313]

I used my surgeon while he was around, but he and the nurse coord left my program when I was about 10 months post op. Support meetings dried up, no one there knew me anymore, I was in maintenance with no complications and I didn't see a reason to be seen by a specialist for blood work at 1 year intervals when I'd get the same at my yearly physical with my PCP, so that's how I've chosen to handle follow up today. I just make sure my PCP runs the same panel of labs that was done at my 6 month with the surgeon. If there comes a day I need a specialist, I suppose I'll find one.

[cjnorris 103]

My surgeon requires me to see my primary care physician regularly. Keeping him in the loop of my success and journey

[stacyg1 136]

I see both. My surgeon and PCP are acquainted with each other and have worked together to resolve any problems that have arisen. If a problem does arise and it seems to me that it may be sleeve related my first step has been to send my surgeon an email and let him decide who I should see.

[byebyedarkpassenger 203]

Thanks for your perspectives! That really clarifies it.

[Kindle 8,667]

My PCP took care of postop bloodwork. I had a severe C. diff infection from a dental procedure two months postop which my PCP, a gastroenterologist and an infectious disease specialist dealt with. The only dealings I had with my surgeon's team postop were phone conversations and emails concerning certain antibiotics and pain medications prescribed by my PCP. I was never involved in the support group or nutritional services they offered.

Edited July 7, 2015 by Kindle