Hey everyone! I was wondering what everyone is doing to find a doctor back here in the States after being sleeved in Mexico. I have inquired to 2 different doctors and neither are willing to see me. I guess I don't really need one but I was hoping they could put my mind at ease about things. The last one just rudely stated that I should find me a primary care physician to just do lab work when needed.

Is this what everyone else is doing? I just transferred to this area with my job so I'm sure I need to get on the ball with that anyway because I'm supposed to have blood work done in 4 weeks.

Thanks for any input!

oh wow....they are refusing to see you because they don't agree with the procedure? It seems odd that a doctor would just turn you down. Or they don't want to be responsible if you need further care? I hope you get a good answer on this one.

My Doctor said to go to any general practice Doctor and they can run the blood tests and check my levels. He sent me a sheet that I'm to give them, and that tells them what to check for. He recommend that I go at 3months post op...

I don't know much about the ObamaCare, but isn't it going to prevent Doctors from not seeing patients because of stuff like this? I may be wrong, but from what I understand they won't be able to deny you for something like that.

I'm in the same boat as the OP. surgery in Mexico and need follow up care at home. I have a primary care doc who was opposed to the surgery but will have to run the bloodwork for me post-op. I REALLY wanted to find a WLS friendly primary doc in my area but no luck yet. I even reached out to folks from this site that live in my area and got no response

On a positive notes, I just left my 1st counseling session with a therapist who happens to have had WLS! I really lucked out! I may ask her for a new PCP referral....

I would start the conversation by saying, "I'm new to the area, I moved here for my job." As he or she takes your medical history, then you can say you had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy and need follow-up labs. I don't see any need to emphasize that you had surgery in Mexico. I was fortunate that my PCP was willing to do my follow-up care although she was concerned I was going to Mexico for surgery. Do you have a list of the labs you need and the frequency they need to be done? If you come prepared to ask for what you want you'll probably get a better reception.

My doc knows. He's seen my weight yo-yo over the past 5 years and knows I've really tried. He's a great doc and already requires yearly labs so I don't think anything will change. I scheduled a 2-week follow-up with him just to make sure everything is healing as planned.

I will say I work with physicians for a living, and if you tell them you had wls they are not likely to ask where you had it done. Honestly, they don't care. They may ask your before/after stats, etc. Just tell them you had it and what you need from them. You are the patient, You have rights. Educate them for the next patient who comes along. Also, look for a younger physician. They are not so set in their ways, and also need your money to pay their student loans.

I went to Dallas for my surgery, and I live in New Mexico, so I went to my PCP and asked if he'd be willing to take on my followup care and he was thrilled to do what he could to help. He's been very interested in the whole thing. A change of pace for him I suppose, as he probably sees more sick people than "getting healthy" people.

My PCP, who I've been seeing since I was 11, has always been weight phobic. EVERYTHING got the same answer from him "Lose weight and this will go away". I've been to him once since surgery, for my annual checkup. His nurse (and wife) actually required ID before she'd believe it was me. I had a few minor issues and his answer was "You need to lose weight". Um, yeah, I'm down a very visible 60 pounds (at the time) and you're still saying all my problems stem from my weight. Gee, thanks for nothing.

Until last month, my pulmonologist was actually handling most of the issues a primary care doc would normally handle. I'm shopping right now for a PCP with a tad of common sense.

I am scheduled for surgery in September and my primary doctor just moved away so I'm having to get started with a new one anyway... my experience so far is that people are very judgmental when you say you are going to have WLS in Mexico so I am not telling them until AFTER I do it hahaha basically I'm due for routine labs this month anyway and then after I come back from surgery I will make another appt, update them, and see if they want more labs. LOL

My PCP' date=' who I've been seeing since I was 11, has always been weight phobic. EVERYTHING got the same answer from him "Lose weight and this will go away". I've been to him once since surgery, for my annual checkup. His nurse (and wife) actually required ID before she'd believe it was me. I had a few minor issues and his answer was "You need to lose weight". Um, yeah, I'm down a very visible 60 pounds (at the time) and you're still saying all my problems stem from my weight. Gee, thanks for nothing.

Until last month, my pulmonologist was actually handling most of the issues a primary care doc would normally handle. I'm shopping right now for a PCP with a tad of common sense.[/quote']

Ya- ya just gotta love the docs that tell you a gunshot wound could've been prevented by losing weight. Broken leg? Diet and exercise. OYE!!!!

Hey everyone! I was wondering what everyone is doing to find a doctor back here in the States after being sleeved in Mexico. I have inquired to 2 different doctors and neither are willing to see me. I guess I don't really need one but I was hoping they could put my mind at ease about things. The last one just rudely stated that I should find me a primary care physician to just do lab work when needed.

Is this what everyone else is doing? I just transferred to this area with my job so I'm sure I need to get on the ball with that anyway because I'm supposed to have blood work done in 4 weeks.

Thanks for any input!

I wouldn't worry about it. I was sleeved in Mexico on May 15th. I haven't seen my PCP since before I left. I dont think there is a need to follow up with one unless your having complications, then I'd just go to an ER.

BTW-I've lost 82 pounds since May 1st without the help of follow up dr visits and NUT visits. I think it's just a way for the WL doctors to milk more money from WLS patients at bariatric clinics!