Friends,

I'm 3 1/2 years out from RNY, but my regular doctor recently left town. Now with the talk about post-operative ulcers and such, I feel the need to find a new doc who can take care of making sure I'm doing okay. I haven't been faithful about getting my bloodwork done every 6 months for probably 2 years. (I know, I know... but I'm making a change now!)

I'm wondering if those of you who ARE staying on top of your health are using a general practitioner or a gastro doc. If anyone lives near Austin/Temple TX and has a great doctor for following up to RNY, please PM me with the info. I have had soooo many docs who don't know enough about gastric bypass to really know what levels to check when they do my blood work. My surgeon was in Houston and has now taken a new position in Atlanta. My insurance doesn't require referrals for specialists, so I'm thinking of going to a gastro doc.

Any input? Suggestions?

Thanks,
Gina F.

Hi, I am finding that my Internist is very helpful and concerned about my post op life. In fact my surgeon has basically thrown me away ( I had my surgery 4/4/05). I tell my internist how lost and alone I'm feeling now that my surgeon isnt very helpful about my present weight( I gained back 20 lbs before finding this site) and she has researched my synptoms and consulted with other doctors to help me. She has been wonderful! So I would suggest talking to your Internist. Also, try calling your doctors old office and ask if he left the name of a doctor that he is referring his old patients to.

I went back to my Surgeons office for the first two years.
My new GP is very up to date with WLS and knows the ropes.

If you have your paperwork, you can take it to a new GP.
They should be able to see all the tests you need for a full work up.

Call around and ask what their experience is. It's OK to interview them.
Ask a bunch of questions. If they don't answer questions, move on...

Are you near the blood lab that you went to before?
They will also have your records.

Let us know how it goes!

Hugs,

Nancy

You may have a hard time getting another surgeon to take you on. They have a problem taking patients that someone else has operated on. There are many GP's out there that are becoming more knowledgeable about our type of surgeries. I agree that you should test the waters first and 'interview' prospective doctors until you find one that you are comfortable with.

Oh, how I hate having to change docs. My GP just left the practice & I had to switch again...3rd switch since 2002. I was w/ this one 3 of those years & was really upset when she told me she was leaving. I don't feel confident in this new one and what she knows about WLS. When I asked her if she knew much about it, she said "I have several patients who have had it." Didn't answer my question! I just don't have the spirit to look for another and my surgeon is very good, so guess I'm staying w/ this one for now.
Good luck as you look. Interview, interview, interview until you are comfortable.

My wls surgeon still orders my yearly blood tests. He's 300 miles away, but he orders them at my local hospital and has the results faxed to his office. I go to the hospital and pick up a copy to give to my gp. My surgeon wants this info because he's tracking all of his patients for the rest of our lives and keeping data on our progress.

I'm telling you this because your surgeon may have a program like this too. My gp would only order a regular cbc. My surgeon orders a huge battery of tests yearly. Might be a good think for you to check out too.

Now that I've got issues with anemia, I'm finding that I'll need to start a new venture with a hematologist. I bet that would be someone who would know how to interpret labs too!

Good luck and let us know how it goes.