4 Month Visit with Surgeon

I go Monday to visit my Surgeon at St. Vincents Hospital, I wanted to know if I can ask for what blood work I would like to have or do they do the usual blood work to everyone at 4 months, I read some posts and wrote down the important blood work I would like to have. Do you think if I gave her a paper with the labs I want she will do it or question it ?

I think most surgeons do labs at three months, six months, nine months and one year.  But you can ask for labs whenever you like.  Since I don't know your surgeon, I don't know if she will be willing to order labs on request or not.  Hopefully she will, especially if you can explain why you want the tests.

They did my last labs at  2 months and I had some that were low and I know when I talked to the Dietition she said when I come for my 4 month visit I will get more labs. I need to know if I'm taking the right amount of vitamins in my blood results. I will just tell them I would feel better if I knew I was doing everything right.

I also had my RNY at St. Vincent's.  I'm 5 years post op.  St. Vincent's surgeons have been good at ordering the appropriate vitamin, minerals, other lab panels.  If anything is amiss - they will follow up with more labs and recommendations.

In order for doctors to order certain labs, there must be medical necessity and they need the appropriate codes for insurance to pay.  It is possible to get labs done from online companies (without a physician order) if the bariatric physicians does not agree that a test you want done is necessary - but your insurance may not cover it.

I also see an integrative medicine specialist and I wait to get lab orders from them and then have all my labs drawn at once (usually 14-17 vials).  The results from labs go to both doctors and I get input from both doctors on the results.

I've found dieticians at St. Vincents very helpful.  But I do my own research and keep a spreadsheet of my labs and am aware of where I need to increase/decrease or add something, etc.

Best wishes, Penny

I just wanted to make sure everything important is covered. I read a lot here and I guess it makes me think if they give me those labs are not. I just want to try to stay healthy, and try to catch something before it gets bad. I hope it all goes good. Thanks

Why don't you make a list of the labs that you want done and take the list to your bariatric surgeon appointment.  Give the list to the doctor.  My only comment would be that you be prepared to answer WHY you think a certain test is warranted.  Saying "because I read a comment on Obesity Help website" probably won't be sufficient for the doctor to add to the labs to be done.  That is why I recommend that you do your own research and know signs and symptoms of deficiencies, or bring research articles to your appointment.  Most physicians are open if you can "back up" and verify your request.

I have had my bariatric surgeon add a lab test when I presented my "case" for thinking it should be checked.

Again, hope it goes well.  Also, at St. Vincents's Women's boutique - where they sell bariatric supplies - I find them helpful.  I live 2 hours away from Indy and they send me ProJoe (ready-to-drink bottles of protein drink) and vitamins with free shipping.  The cases of ProJoe are heavy and that is a great "perk" for me.

Penny