Follow-up care if you move out of state/country?

[EsoKev 94]

So my significant other and I have been mulling this over this last 5 years or so. We're not planning on doing anything for 2-4 years, but I would sure be interested in knowing how others have handled this situation. We are looking at either moving to upstate New York or Ontario due to career opportunities. My partner works in engineering and has gotten some lucrative employment offers over the years. There's lots of unfinished business here, so we aren't in any hurry at all, but it would be nice to hear from people who have done it afterward. Did you transfer your care to another bariatric surgical team? How was the process? Canada is particularly interesting because I'm not from there (partner is though). Any experiences would be most welcome.

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

I know that my doctor's office will do follow-ups for people who've moved to the area or who's doctors have retired.

[DaleCruse 756]

I had WLS in Massachusetts & about a year later moved to California. The hospital I worked with in MA is a bariatric center of excellence. However, once I moved, they weren't helpful at all. They wouldn't suggest any names to contact for followups. Instead, they told me to go online & find support. They said it in a nice way, but almost useless is almost useless. I hope your experience is better. Good luck!

[EsoKev 94]

I had WLS in Massachusetts & about a year later moved to California. The hospital I worked with in MA is a bariatric center of excellence. However, once I moved, they weren't helpful at all. They wouldn't suggest any names to contact for followups. Instead, they told me to go online & find support. They said it in a nice way, but almost useless is almost useless. I hope your experience is better. Good luck!

Wow. That's really unfortunate. Life circumstances change. You would think they would be more helpful.

Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

When/if you move, check on local bariatric support groups. The one at my hospital is open to all, doesn't matter where you had your surgery. That would be a good place to look for a new surgeon to use for follow ups. Literally, support group was last night and this very topic was mentioned. Just for you, I guess!

Edited July 11, 2018 by Orchids&Dragons

[TakingABreak 2,733]

I brought this up to my surgeon as well. for insurance purposes, I had to have surgery over 3 hours away. I basically inquired about transferring my post op care to a surgeon local, and my doctor dismissed me. He said he has patients that fly all over the country for their yearly follow up visits. I guess I'm lucky that its just a day trip to go to the doctor, but I wouldn't see why you couldn't get established with another doctor if you moved out of state or country .

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

1 minute ago, AshAsh1 said:

I brought this up to my surgeon as well. for insurance purposes, I had to have surgery over 3 hours away. I basically inquired about transferring my post op care to a surgeon local, and my doctor dismissed me. He said he has patients that fly all over the country for their yearly follow up visits. I guess I'm lucky that its just a day trip to go to the doctor, but I wouldn't see why you couldn't get established with another doctor if you moved out of state or country .

This was actually discussed last night as well. One of the main reasons for the follow ups, besides to make sure you're doing ok and bloodwork, is that they collect information for a database on bariatric surgery/results in order to decide best practices for the future. They have about 10 years of data now, but want to get to 30-40 years of data to understand the long-term ramifications. Non-bariatric surgeons are probably less likely to participate.

[TakingABreak 2,733]

1 minute ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

This was actually discussed last night as well. One of the main reasons for the follow ups, besides to make sure you're doing ok and bloodwork, is that they collect information for a database on bariatric surgery/results in order to decide best practices for the future. They have about 10 years of data now, but want to get to 30-40 years of data to understand the long-term ramifications. Non-bariatric surgeons are probably less likely to participate.

It does make sense. I think I'll continue to go to my doctor, so long as its only a day trip. If I move further, I'll have to forgo, even if its in the interest of science.

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

6 minutes ago, AshAsh1 said:

It does make sense. I think I'll continue to go to my doctor, so long as its only a day trip. If I move further, I'll have to forgo, even if its in the interest of science.

Or just switch to a local bariatric doc for followups wherever you live.

[TakingABreak 2,733]

3 minutes ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

Or just switch to a local bariatric doc for followups wherever you live.

I wouldn't mind doing that, but I guess there are two things stopping me. #1. every program is different and I don't want to hassle with a new doctor who is like, "you drink from a straw, BAD!" Also, I've already established goals with this doctor, and I don't want to feel like I'm starting over if the new doctor feels I should be smaller, ect. #2. I'm sure that the procedure (surgery itself) is somewhat similar amongst surgeons, but I feel like the doctor who did mine, knows what he did, ya know? He would somehow have more common knowledge about a problem.

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

7 minutes ago, AshAsh1 said:

I wouldn't mind doing that, but I guess there are two things stopping me. #1. every program is different and I don't want to hassle with a new doctor who is like, "you drink from a straw, BAD!" Also, I've already established goals with this doctor, and I don't want to feel like I'm starting over if the new doctor feels I should be smaller, ect. #2. I'm sure that the procedure (surgery itself) is somewhat similar amongst surgeons, but I feel like the doctor who did mine, knows what he did, ya know? He would somehow have more common knowledge about a problem.

Definitely it would be better to not switch doctors, but if you had to . . .

Also, I think I'd be worried that my bloodwork might not be as thorough with a non-bariatric doctor. I am probably overly paranoid about long-term Vitamin deficiencies and or excesses. After my little misadventure last month with my Calcium getting too high, I don't want a repeat of that!

[TakingABreak 2,733]

1 minute ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

Definitely it would be better to not switch doctors, but if you had to . . .

Also, I think I'd be worried that my bloodwork might not be as thorough with a non-bariatric doctor. I am probably overly paranoid about long-term Vitamin deficiencies and or excesses. After my little misadventure last month with my Calcium getting too high, I don't want a repeat of that!

Yeah, my PCP is running some labs for me now because I can't make it up to Chicago for my 6 month follow up. But I made a copy of the ones from 3 months, she ordered the exact same things. If I did have to relocate, I'd def establish with a bariatric physician to do my annuals.

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

2 minutes ago, AshAsh1 said:

Yeah, my PCP is running some labs for me now because I can't make it up to Chicago for my 6 month follow up. But I made a copy of the ones from 3 months, she ordered the exact same things. If I did have to relocate, I'd def establish with a bariatric physician to do my annuals.

You know, it's ok to say "Quit nagging, MOM!" if you want

[TakingABreak 2,733]

1 minute ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

You know, it's ok to say "Quit nagging, MOM!" if you want

lol, Cant ever have enough moms.

Edited July 11, 2018 by AshAsh1