when did you stop seeing your surgeon?

I am glad that this works for you all this time but I do hope that at some point, you dont have major complications and need him.  I wish  you luck

I am over 4 years out and go yearly.  I have my labs drawn twice a year. 

I was also having pain in my side and went to see my surgeon, he ordered tests and told me if the pain started back up I would need to get to the ER and have exploratory surgery - they think, from the CT, that some of my intestines may have gotten stuck in the fat strands?  Any hoo - it could prove to be dangerous so I need to have it checked out if it happens again.  I would definitely want my surgeon to do any further surgery on me (gallbladder, etc.).

I just saw my surgeon at my 1 yr. appt.  I will go again at 18 months but I will see the nurse practitioner.  Then I go every year thereafter (so at 2 1/2 years,  3 1/2 years) and have blood work and see the nurse practitioner.  I won't see my surgeon again unless there is a problem or procedure needed (gall bladder, endoscopy, appendix, etc.).  

I personally go to see my surgeon once per year for my surgiversaries. I have all my labs done my Endocrinologist, endoscopies done by my Gastro doctor.  If there is something that i feel is bariatric related, then I call my surgeon.  He is 1 hour away but I feel it is worth it.  I have had many complications, some minor and some major and I mean major.  I need him and will follow up with him for the rest of my life and that is what we signed up for.

I saw my surgeon pre-op and 3 weeks post-op. Then I was switched to a nurse practioner at the weight loss center, who is excellent with my maintenancee. At my June 4 f/u I told her about my abd pain...2 days later I had an u/s...7 days later a consult with my surgeon and yesterday gallbladder surgery! I will see him again in 3 weeks post-op, then resume my care with the NP.

I have my labs done locally at my Endocrinoloigst and manyy peeple have them done at there primary doctors which most surgeons are fine with.  Most people feel that they need to have labs drawn more than yearly especially if there are problems and theyn they need then they need to be done more often.  This is necessary and surgeons just seem to go by the yearly rule.  My Endo still does mine every 3 months and when a problem, she will redraw in 6 weeks to make sure it is necessary to make sure it is increasing properly.

As far as the surgeon goes, our surgeons are basically there for if we have complications and to examine us to make sure there isn't anything wrong.  I do go yearly and let him examine me and when he feels it is necessary, he orders tests. Without him around, we can be in big trouble because there are very few bariatric surgeons that will take other surgeons patients.  So, unless you really dont like him, make sure you see him once per year to keep your contact with him.  It really only has to be once per year.  You only have to see him, not the other surgeons or other staff.  I stopped seeeing the NUT since she doesnt take my insurance and I have to pay her cash.  I have no need for her/