I got a letter from surgeon today stating that all after care, including fills will now be done by another doctor. The surgeon has partnered with a FAMILY DOCTOR. The letter states this family doctor will do all our bariatric aftercare PLUS he offers hormone analysis, genetic testing and TOXICITY testing. I'm fuming! I don't need or want any of that and I used to work with the nurse at the family docs office and she's a huge PITA!! I refuse to go there. I called my surgeons office and the coordinator said she will see if the surgeon will make SPECIAL consideration for me. I'm so mad that I don't care anymore, I want a new surgeon. My surgeon is still in practice they just say he's TOO BUSY to do after care.

I have insurance that paid for my band. How hard will it be to find a new surgeon now??

I don't blame you for being mad. My insurance changed on 1 st of year and my new insurance does cover any barbaric care so I have to pay out of pocket now. I chose my surgeon for his skill I would hate for a famIly dr a to take over and possibly put a hole in my tube. Seems to me that you had a verbal contact when he explained the surgery process to you my surgeon told me he would be performing all after care and fills you may even have a written contract. My new insurance could have paid for my fills if they covered bariatics Call another surgeon and have them check your insurance before you go in. Most do this any

I know you are mad and upset but calm down a little and think about it. To me it makes perfect sense. Everybody should do what they are best at. Your surgeons area of expertise is surgery, his/her valuable time is best spent doing that.The Dr on the other hand is better trained at patient care, follow up etc. the modern work model actually revolves around teams. A group of people utilising their best skills to produce the desired outcome.

So long as the Dr has been properly trained and so long as you have access to the surgeon should a problem occur then I think this is a solution that could work really well.

In fact I think more Drs should adopt this model.

It would be so much easier( and cheaper) if I could go to my GP when I needed a fill. It would also be good to know that the GP understood about the band and how it worked instead of me having to explain things all the time.

There are very few types of surgery where you continue to see the surgeon after you have healed from surgery. Once the initial postop healing period is over you are normally encouraged to see your GP. e.g I had a hysterectomy last year - I don't get to go back to the gynae unless there is a major problem. My first port of call is my GP and if it is an issue that she can't solve then I will be referred back to the specialist.

I can see your point there but, this doctor he uses is one that I would NEVER go to. His main specialty is pain management. He has a bad Rep in my community and his nurse is so mean and rude that if you Google reviews on him you can see where his patients say that they hate dealing.g with her because she is a total witch. In the meantime, I called Allergan about it and the Supervisor said she would have to check into it farther. She said she was not aware that they certify doctors unless they are surgeons. She didn't find the doctors name anywhere in their database.

Do any of you know if a regular family doctor can be certified by Allergan? I just find the whole thing odd. Where I live at family doctors do not see you for anything that a surgeon did. They want the surgeon to follow you up.

I have not seen my surgeon since 2 weeks after surgery. I am always filled by the NP. I would try to find a new surgeons office that will take you on. I think Lap band has a list on their site of doctors who will do fills on bands installed by other doctors.