Wls out of town

[rico31286 16]

Has anyone done the surgery with a doctor that is out of their immediate area, like 45 mins or more?

Does the doctor handle these situations any differently?

Is it more complicated?

Are there things that can be done close to home?

How often do you need to see the doctor pre and post?

Would anyone suggest against it? Why?

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[clamb 5]

My surgeon and the facility was 1 1/2 to 2 hours away depending on traffic. They didn't change anything due to my location. If you are serious about the surgery you will make the commitment and the drive.

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[Nursenia 68]

My surgeon is a hr away from my understanding everything is normal I'm only 10 weeks out and have only seen him twice...I believe I should have seen him 3 times already however his office was in a area that hurricane Matthew hit which pushed my appointments back.....I wouldn't suggest you not to have it based on the distance it's ppl on this site that has had their surgery in Mexico as far as post visits I only had maybe 3....Are you waiting to get approved? If so blood work and other things you will need can be done anywhere honestly it's not bad at all......The only problem I have with it is the support group the one for the hospital I was sleeved at only does theirs the first Tuesday of every month and I work EVERY Tuesday by the time I get off with traffic I will not make it with a hr drive......I've tried local support groups but they are real funny about letting you in if you wasn't sleeved at their hospital.

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[Nursenia 68]

I'm sorry pre visit I only had about 3

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[James Marusek 5,244]

The surgeon and hospital where I had RNY gastric bypass surgery was located an hour and a half away from my home. Rather than distance being a deciding factor is the level of expertise. I had my surgery at a Center of Excellence. This is what the hospital and doctors specialized at. It was their main focus and they had many years of experience. It was also a one shop stop. All the elements of the program at one location. So even though I had to travel a little bit further, it was well worth it.

It is a little bit like asking "Would you trust your local doctor to perform open heart surgery on you it you had a heart attack or would you travel a few extra miles to have it done at a facility with specialist that perform this type of surgery on a daily basis?"

[bigjake_35 19]

I am having my surgery 1.5 hours away from home they really worked well with me like the psych follow up and anesthesia assessment they just called me instead of having to drive and they also scheduled my stress test locally so they can do some things to help you out

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[jillyd 3]

I had my surgery in Mexico. I fortunately have a doctor here that is accepting to treat me for follow ups. I did a lot of research prior to having surgery for a doctor close to where I live that would see me, knowing I went out of the country. So if it takes the extra drive to see someone I would do it.

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[Julie norton 2,850]

Yes I had to travel 10 years ago. Made it tough for follow up. Had to take a whole day to drive 3 hours. Appt. drive back. Switched to someone only 40 minutes and find it is better

[shedo82773 1,236]

I had my RNY at a CENTER OF EXCELLENCE also. I traveled 2 hours from home. I had to stay 1 week in a Hotel and went home after my 1 week check up. Not all CENTER'S OF EXCELLENCE live up to their names. My Surgeon did mine and my hubby's WLS. He was a good surgeon but really lacked at bedside manners. He called me a PROBLEM CHILD because I had Strictures and he had to do follow up care on me. 2 months after my RNY he did a failed revision from a lap band to a RNY on my husband. Who developed abscesses also was labeled as a Problem child!! Come to find out our MEDICARE and other insurance paid a certain amount for our surgery and aftercare. So he made his money doing the surgery not so much for the aftercare. So we ended up firing him and going to another BARIATRIC CENTER also an EXCELLENCE CENTER which is 4 hours away. So happy with our decision. But our blood test are faxed to our Bariatric Center. I am far enough out that I don't need to see them only if I have a problem. Better care, which helps with our confidence in them. Well worth the move!!

[DuodenalSwitchMan 12]

I just had my duodenal switch done 94 miles away. I had a friend drive and I am paying the hotel bill for three nights. Anthem BC is supposed to pay for mileage and hotel for anything over 50 miles. I am not sure if they will pay for the two hotel days for my driver, while I am in the hospital, though. I had to come a day early, since I wasn't going to be trying to drive all bowel prep, through Los Angeles, in rush hour.

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[Travelher 915]

I had my revision done about a 5 HR drive away. Was able to do everything remotely to prep through my pcp. My surgeon sent her all the pre-op testing instructions for what needed to be done. I spoke to the nurse and dietician on the phone. They mailed me the Optifast with instructions on when to start. I could just call or email with questions. Stayed in a hotel the night before surgery and met my surgeon right before surgery. 2 nights in the clinic. They ask that you stay in town for 4 days afterwards, but I think that is mainly for the ones flying in because the issues you can have with altitudes if you still have gas in your system, my docs said I was fine to go home after surgery...just stop for frequent breaks to walk.

I had a scheduled 1 month call with the dietician, and another at 3 months. They sent my pcp the instructions on what blood tests to do at what intervals. She also has to sent them the results and my weight for their records. Been good

[Aggiemae 739]

60 miles. It was a haul once a week for 6 months for life style classes once a month for pre op and 14 provider appointments. Thought the nurse practitioner, NUT psych, PT appointed were scheduled in pairs.

We have a condo in Portland and if I could get a bunch appointments clumped together I stayed over night but we have animals (LOTS of animals!) and I had to leave their care to a lazy over indulged 16 year old since my husband is a night shift ER doc.

I have no regrets doing it this way. After all it's major surgery. According to the hospital statistics (they have a decade worth of 1 and 4 year follow ups. People who have intense pre op prep are twice as likely not to regain their weight at the 4 year follow up.