I am wondering how you approached the surgery with your family dr. Did you talk to him first to see if he would do blood work and checkups after surgery? Were your Dr's supportive? I know my insurance will not cover anything having to do with bariatric surgery so do things need to be coded a certain way? Thanks for any advice!

I don't currently have one. When I chose to go to Mexico I figured if there was anything major that went wrong that I could go to the ER. As far as blood work/labs, you can get that done practically anywhere. I had zero complications.

Yes. I met with her ahead of time and she scheduled a post-op check-up with me and ordered blood work ahead of time, so I could go in and get my blood drawn once I was back from Mexico and she'd have the results at my check-up. I also gave her a copy of the Surgical Report and labs from my surgeon's office at that post-op check-up. She has handled all of my follow-up blood work as well at 2 months, 4 months, 8 months, and 12 months post-op. Was just thinking that I should go ahead and schedule another appointment with her soon because I'll be at 18 months soon.

Told my doctor 3 months after it was done and asked her to blood work. Came back with surgical report X-rays etc. She was honest that she would have tried to talk me out of it. I did call OHIP before I left which is who covers Canadian healthcare to see if there was complications if I would be covered and they said yes.

Talked to my PCP before leaving. He knew the position I was in with my insurance not covering and was fully supportive. I just returned from T J this week and they put a full package together for me to give my doc. EKG, X-rays, notes, and leak test as well as contact info in case my doc has any further questions. Used TJ Bariatrics / Dr Francisco Garcia and couldn't be more pleased.

I made my appointment today to go in and speak with him about my plans. I am strangely nervous. I feel like I am going to be judged even though I know he isn't that type of person.

I made my appointment today to go in and speak with him about my plans. I am strangely nervous. I feel like I am going to be judged even though I know he isn't that type of person.

Just go in with the attitude that your mind is made up and you are just looking for his support, rather than his permission. That's kind of how I handled it with my PCP. I told her I am having VSG with this surgeon on this date. I didn't leave a lot of room for her to try to dissuade me, not that I really thought she would anyway. But I was clear my mind was made up and then the visit was just more about letting her know and finding out what she wanted to do about follow-up.

Thank you for that advice. I really needed to hear that!!

I have no idea why I was so nervous! He was wonderful! Very supportive, willing to handle all follow up care and easy to chat with about going out of the country. Whew!!!! I feel so much better already!!

I have no idea why I was so nervous! He was wonderful! Very supportive, willing to handle all follow up care and easy to chat with about going out of the country. Whew!!!! I feel so much better already!!

That is awesome news! I think having support back home (even if you don't end up actually needing it) is great for peace of mind. Now you can be way less stressed about the whole thing. And having those follow-up blood labs will be very informative.

I haven't told mine????. I had put on so much weight I didn't want to see her for my annual checkup in Dec. I figure I will go in once I've lost some weight and my incisions have healed and tell her then. People frown on going to Tijuana for surgery so much I thought once she could see I was healthy and losing weight it would go over better.

What do you plan on doing for follow up bloodwork? Checking levels and things?

I also get care through the VA. I told my psychiatrist about the surgery and she is really good about ordering lab work when I ask for it.

That's good! I have gotten a few strange looks when people find out I am going to tijuana but I try to reassure them that I have done a lot of research and know others who have gone. That usually keeps them from giving me the laundry list of risks. LOL!

I understand where they are coming from... I've watched a lot of Botched episodes, but the fact is the good ones don't get publicity like the bad. But they are there!

People frown on going to Tijuana for surgery so much I thought once she could see I was healthy and losing weight it would go over better.

One would hope a doctor would be a little less likely to succumb to urban legends and anecdotal stories about surgery in Mexico than the average public. They are aware there are excellent surgeons and doctors all over the world.