I just called to schedule my 2 week visit for May 17th. They told me since I am scheduling at the same time as my husbands pre-op nutritionist visit I would not be getting a class just the handouts and consult about nutrition and weigh in. I asked if they would be checking the incisions and such and was told if I wanted to but that this was a visit with the nutritionist. So I can find out about the next phase of my diet and buy Vitamins and such.

I am very confused. I thought I would have a thorough exam with my doctor or a nurse. Not just the NUT. I could ask questions and such. I did not even see my surgeon after the surgery. Blood draws, check for infection stuff like that.

What is your experience with post-op doctor visits? Is this normal?

Edited May 5, 201412 yr by windfaerie

Hard to say as everyone is different and has their own way of doing things

I'm sure every doctor has their own preferred schedule of appointments. If you're having concerns and feel like you need to see the doc, call and tell them that and set the appointment up that way. If it's just something different than you expected, I would just roll with it.

Take it in your own hands and do what feels right to you.

Best wishes.

I just talked to someone who saw the same doctor I did and was told you never see the doctor again or even a nurse. Just the nutritionist. That is so strange. I am not sure what to think.

I know I won't see my surgeon again. My first post-op is at 3 weeks with the PA. She's the one that did the majority of the follow up after surgery, although I did see the surgeon once right before I left the hospital. I think I see the PA at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Then I see the nutritionist 6 times in that same year period.

Some of your medical questions about medicine etc can be handled by your PCP. I know I have to see my cardiologist to make decisions about those medicines. The surgeon won't make those decisions.

At my 2 week a PA checked the incisions, peeled off the steri-strips and did a quick check-up, no surgeon. Today was my 8 week check-up and I not only saw the PA, but also my surgeon. I have another 3 month, also with the surgeon. The center I went to is all about staying in contact with the surgeon. But, as others have said each center/surgeon is different.

(I took a shower right before I went so the steri-strips came right off. Up to that point I didn't have the nerve to touch them)

Edited May 6, 201412 yr by SugarFreeMe

windfaerie- I just had my 11 day post op appointment today. I met with my surgeon and he basically asked how I was doing and if I had any questions. Since I have been doing swimmingly there wasn't much to talk about. He didn't check my incisions which I thought was weird, but they are healing fine so I didn't make much of a deal of it.

I saw my surgeon before surgery and in the hospital.

For my check ups I see the PA.

She took care of checking me out at first check up. Then at three months, then at six months and don't go again until my one year check up.

After the one year I will go to her every year to be checked up on.

I also can contact her any time I have a problem or question.

I also she the nutritionist on the same schedule.

If I were you I would tell them you want to be seen for a follow up.

Let us know what happens.

I will let you know the response I get on trying to arrange to see at least the PA. I am not sure there is one though. I never met one. I saw my surgeon 2 times before surgery and the nutritionist 2 times. My husband gets his surgery on June 2 and has seen the doctor once. He will have seen the nutritionist twice by the time of his surgery.

I saw my surgeon before surgery and before I went home from the hospital. Have had 2 follow-up appts and have seen her nurse both times.

I couldn't tell you when was the last time I saw the surgeon. I think it was the day of surgery, which was in January. I do see the nurse and nutritionist each time I go now. They have set the expectation that they are who I will see when I go in for my checkups, which has been true to date.

S

For my 2weeks which was just on 4/29/2014 I saw the PA and they looked at the incisions and took off the tape, talked to a nurse also and then saw the NUT. While I was waiting for the surgery my ins required a 6 month weigh in monthly and during the 6 months I always saw the NUT, the week of my surgery I had the last appt with the surgeon, and the surgeon came to my hospital visits also. I would ask to at least see a PA so that you know everything is going good.