So I am 3 months out from surgery and 47lbs down as of today.

Things are going really well, No complants or issues at all, My only issue is I've only had one follow up appointment with my surgeon the week after surgery was the last time I went in for a visit!..Not because I don't want to, but mainly because I just don't have the time between work and home life also his office is an hour away and it cost me $125 per office visit. Is it really necessary to go in for monthly visits if everything is going well?..Also I was asked to join a support group and go to that which I never did, But I have a lot of support at home and 3 months in have never had a feeling of depression or sadness because of my decision and I've been able to keep on track myself.

Has anyone else gone without going to the Dr's and support groups and done alright?

It is ABSOLUTELY necessary. You need follow up visits for life AND a support system of people that have been where you are. Don't make excuses and budget the money. You've invested so much in yourself. This is really important.

I'd definitely go to the doctor's appointments - the first few months are the "sweet spot" and they can help you troubleshoot if you run into any issues. I wish ours didn't skip us from a 2 week visit to a 3 month one!

As for the support group, I can't say. The closest one to me is clear across town and starts an hour before I get off work, so I've been using this forum as my primary support.

Those of us that go to Mexico typically don't have followup visits and support groups. I'm almost two years out and met my first goal of 185 and trying now for my stretch goal of 173. I got support from BP. My surgery sister and I also checked in with each other once a week and supported each other through stalls. I go to my PCP regularly to check my vitamin and mineral levels.

Well there's always an excuse for everything and some are legit like

I work four day's a week and he only has office visits on Thursday, I can't take off I only make $250 a week and that's a little hard to budget with a family to help support.

Everytime I visit with my Surgeon it's a 2min visit and I'm out the door with a bill. They never called me to schedual another appointment after my first one and I guess I would feel more obligated to go and spend my money if the Dr spent a little more time getting to know his patients.

For the record I only saw the guy once before my surgery as well.

I get a lot of my support online, And I've been on BP way before my surgery and here I am now.

It's my thought that you should schedule a follow up visit at at least the 3 and 6 month mark for your health.

The support group? Eh...not important to me at all and I'm doing just fine.

@@LipstickLady Sound Advice.

I mean not much changes for me month to month so I didn't see it necessary to have a 4 week/ 6 week visits and so on.

I will make an appointment after this month when I have some more money sitting around.

As for the support group I'll continue to get that here.

My doctor does 1 week post op followed a visit every 3-4 months for the first year and then once or twice a year after that. I think the first year it is important to go to make sure you're on track and your blood work is okay.

My surgeon saw me 1 week post op. Then every 3 months so far. Part of that is also following up on my gallbladder removal as well though.

That is a lot of money under the circumstances you've described. I went to a Bariatric Center of Excellence. The surgeon wrote out a list of the labs I'll need at 6 months and a year. I do think it's important to find out if you have any Vitamin deficiencies, or other potential problems. I think you'd be covering yourself health wise if you had your primary care doctor do these labs at those intervals:

CBC

Comprehensive Metabolic Profile

Vitamin B12

Folate

Whole Blood Thiamine

Vitamin D

That way you're still under a doctor's care, getting what's important done without paying unnecessarily for a specialist. If something's out of whack, you can still go to back to the surgeon.

Monthly visits? For how long? The schedule laid out for me was 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months (with blood work), 6 months (with blood work) 1 year(with blood work), and once per year every year after with blood work. I went to appointments thru my 6 month follow up with perfect labs. When my year came up, my program had fallen apart, surgeon and nurse coordinator left while at the same time I found out I'd reached the lifetime cap for bariatric coverage, (bariatric labs are not covered ever again). I couldn't see spending the $$$ out of pocket at that point when my labs from a few months earlier were perfect and I'm not having any issues.

I've decided to follow up with my PCP at my yearly physical which will include the labs I'd need anyway and it will go down as free "well care" at that point, not bariatric follow up. Personal opinion... You should make sure you're blood work is good 3-6 months post op. WHO you do that with IMHO is less important. If I'd gone to Mexico and was not having any issues, I'd be ordering up some labs to check in at least once in the first year and be monitored by my PCP at my physical every year after. I'm not a medical professional, that's just how I'm handling my own situation.

I had no issues either. I saw my PCP for bloodwork at 3 months and 6 months. That's it. No followup checks or weigh ins, no nut visits, no counseling, no group meetings. I will get my annual bloodwork done later this month and as long as everything looks good then I'll repeat labs in another year. For me, I didn't see the point of costly and time consuming doctor visits since I wasn't having any problems, I lost all my excess weight, I have a good support system of friends and family and I am dealing with life's stresses in a healthy fashion.

It's your journey, do what you feel I'd best for you.

@@BeagleLover Thanks for that list..

I also went to a "Center Of Excellence" but from the way my surgery was handled and from what I hear from other's you would not know it. I was given surgery and that was about it, I mean yeah I had one nut appointment and she basically just sent me home with a book and that was it but it was just covering the first 3 weeks after surgery. I was never given a guideline of nutrition or what type of things needed to be looked at when it came to blood work later on.

I guess I'll try calling my pcp and see if she'll be able to write me up a scrip to get blood work done.

@@BeagleLover , what is included in the comprehensive metabolic panel? I had surgery in Mexico and this is what my surgeon recommended.....

CBC, platelets

Electrolytes

Glucose

Iron studies/Ferritin

Vitamin B12

Liver and Kidney Function

Lipid Profile

25-Hydroxy Vitamin D

Zinc

Folic acid

Just want to make sure I'm not missing out on something important.

@@BeagleLover , what is included in the comprehensive metabolic panel? I had surgery in Mexico and this is what my surgeon recommended.....

CBC, platelets

Electrolytes

Glucose

Iron studies/Ferritin

Vitamin B12

Liver and Kidney Function

Lipid Profile

25-Hydroxy vitamin D

Zinc

Folic acid

Just want to make sure I'm not missing out on something important.

I believe that a metabolic panel is nearly the same as liver and kidney function tests.

@HalloweenBaby24 $125 for a follow up visit?? I didn't pay anything at my first follow up at 2 1/2 weeks and I have my next apt on Dec 30th. If anything I should only have to pay my copay which is $35.

My appt on Dec 30th is with the NP and I really like her. She listens, she is involved and I do not feel rushed. I have had no issues really either but I do think the follow up is important.

It's sad that some on here seem to have great docs and others not so much. Some have great support and some nope. It is great that there is a place like this where people can go and share and ask and advise.

I am 7weeks post op and I am on here basically everyday. I try to offer advice and encouragement when I can.

I am glad to hear your aren't having issues that is great!!!!

Edited December 16, 201411 yr by CheleLynn45