Changing doctors after surgery?

[lexiemustang 268]

Hello everyone! I was sleeved in May of 2015, and since being sleeved I've moved from Dallas to Atlanta. I called my bariatric doctor and asked for a referral in the Atlanta area, and they would not provide another doctor I could attend for post op appointments. Has anyone had to do this post op and what was their experience? Will doctors even be willing to take on patients where they didn't perform the surgery? I don't really want to go back and forth to Dallas for my follow up visits.

Also, if anyone has recommendations for bariatric doctors in the Atlanta area, I'd appreciate it.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Some doctors will. I know my surgeon takes on follow-up with other surgeons' patients, including people who have had their surgery in Mexico and other out-of-country places. However, he's a couple hundred miles away in Tennessee so no particular help to you! If I were in your situation, I would request a copy of my chart from my previous doctor and simultaneously start calling around with different bariatric surgeons in your area to find one who will take on your follow-up, I would make sure to mention "I had gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Bridget Holden in Dallas" -- be specific because some surgeons will do follow-up for a patient who had surgery in the US but not in Mexico, or who had surgery in the US but has moved, etc.

It sounds like your original surgeon is not being terribly supportive or helpful, so don't be surprised if they drag their feet on getting you your medical records. Be persistent -- you are entitled to them.

If you can't find a bariatric surgeon in Atlanta, your PCP should be able to run your labs and take care of routine matters for you, and you are far enough out that post-surgery complications really shouldn't be an issue.

Good luck!

[2goldengirl 2,076]

I agree, make sure you have a local PCP and fill them in on your surgery and progress to date. Get your records from your surgeon.

It isn't uncommon for people to relocate and need to find a new specialist. If there is a bariatric support group in your area, attend a session and let folks know that you're new to the area and need a new surgeon for f/u.

[skinnytiff 49]

Why would a Texas doctor know a referral for a Atlanta doctor? And doctor's offices by law have an amount of time legally they have to get records to another doctors office. Of course they will get the records to them in the amount of time they are legally supposed to get them or maybe even before then.

Some doctors will. I know my surgeon takes on follow-up with other surgeons' patients, including people who have had their surgery in Mexico and other out-of-country places. However, he's a couple hundred miles away in Tennessee so no particular help to you! If I were in your situation, I would request a copy of my chart from my previous doctor and simultaneously start calling around with different bariatric surgeons in your area to find one who will take on your follow-up, I would make sure to mention "I had gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Bridget Holden in Dallas" -- be specific because some surgeons will do follow-up for a patient who had surgery in the US but not in Mexico, or who had surgery in the US but has moved, etc.

It sounds like your original surgeon is not being terribly supportive or helpful, so don't be surprised if they drag their feet on getting you your medical records. Be persistent -- you are entitled to them.

If you can't find a bariatric surgeon in Atlanta, your PCP should be able to run your labs and take care of routine matters for you, and you are far enough out that post-surgery complications really shouldn't be an issue.

Good luck!

[lexiemustang 268]

Why would a Texas doctor know a referral for a Atlanta doctor? And doctor's offices by law have an amount of time legally they have to get records to another doctors office. Of course they will get the records to them in the amount of time they are legally supposed to get them or maybe even before then.

Some doctors will. I know my surgeon takes on follow-up with other surgeons' patients, including people who have had their surgery in Mexico and other out-of-country places. However, he's a couple hundred miles away in Tennessee so no particular help to you! If I were in your situation, I would request a copy of my chart from my previous doctor and simultaneously start calling around with different bariatric surgeons in your area to find one who will take on your follow-up, I would make sure to mention "I had gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Bridget Holden in Dallas" -- be specific because some surgeons will do follow-up for a patient who had surgery in the US but not in Mexico, or who had surgery in the US but has moved, etc.

It sounds like your original surgeon is not being terribly supportive or helpful, so don't be surprised if they drag their feet on getting you your medical records. Be persistent -- you are entitled to them.

If you can't find a bariatric surgeon in Atlanta, your PCP should be able to run your labs and take care of routine matters for you, and you are far enough out that post-surgery complications really shouldn't be an issue.

Good luck!

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