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Hi everyone! I am hoping someone can help me understand the process of Post-Op life. Like, how often do you see your surgeon after surgery? And for how long do routine visits continue? My situation is this. I am scheduled to get surgery on August 11th. I am rocking and rolling through all of my Pre-Op appointments and really excited for the change this will all bring to my life. But we are looking to move 1300 miles away some time in October. I'm guessing I'll need to find a bariatric doctor just to have someone to reach out to with any issues or concerns. But is this going to be ridiculously difficult? Do doctors easily take on patients if they aren't making the "surgery money" off of you? And if things go well, how often am I supposed to follow up with a doc 8 weeks Post-Op? I realize it might not go stellar and then I'll desperately NEED my doc as well, so I really want to start the process of finding someone sooner rather than later. I hope this doesn't make me sound foolish. It's just that part of "changing my life" is to not just to get fit and healthy, more active and not a slave to my relationship with food, but to also embrace all of the things I want in my life. And this move is certainly a part of that. I am already prepared for postponing the move if I'm having any issues and need an extra month or so. October is just the best time for all other things being considered. I appreciate any advice you can give me. Thank you!

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I would start calling bariatric doctors in your new location and ask the questions. Different doctors have different requirements. For me, my doctor saw me at 3 wk, 6wk, and will again at 6 months and at a year, as well as and every year after. I am also required 6 month labs, year labs, and labs every year after.

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Also, I would look into a dietitian in your new area as well.

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thank you!

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Just now, trinzic said:

thank you!

You're welcome!

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I am an accountant. I know people in my profession all over. I've met them in training and conferences. I know know who the really good ones are. They are usually presenters in the trainings. I would ask your current surgeon for a referral. Dietician also.

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yes - I'd see if I could get a referral. People generally see a bariatric surgeon for follow-ups at least for the first year - and then some start just doing them with their PCP (I saw someone in my clinic for eight years - they kindly kicked me out just this year! Although I think a lot of people have switched over to their regular PCP long before I did....)

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I had my surgery in another city, had to fly out. All my appointments have been virtual. I had 1 week post op, 2 weeks post op, and then every 3 months up until a year. I can reach out to them at any time though, and I have support meetings 3 times a week also on Zoom.

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They’re all different. I saw mine at two weeks, a month, two months then 3 months. Not long after I reached goal (6 months) I transitioned to his colleague for my follow ups & had three monthly appointments. At my three year mark it became 6 monthly. In my fifth year now & it’s still twice a year. I have the feeling it may end this year though. My program of visits seems to be quite unusual though.

It’s a good idea to find someone to continue to monitor your progress close to your new home (& to find a good dietician). I agree with getting a referral too which will help open the door to the new doctor.

Hope your move goes smoothly.

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thanks everyone! i value your advice! and i feel better about things now that i have tangible things to put into effect.

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I’ve worked my entire career in medicine. Your surgeon will definitely refer you to someone if you ask.

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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