Question:
Does anyone know what I can do when my surgeon no longer practices medicine.
I am having the hardest time finding a doctor to take me as their patient for my follow up visits my doctor no longer does the surgery, he prescribes my b-12 now, I need to find another doctor in the houston area, can anyone help? — pking35 (posted on May 13, 2004)
May 13, 2004
Call your surgeon and ask for a referral. If he refuses to give you the
name of someone who will take you, call the medical board. They need to
know that he is abandoning his patients. They will likely be able to give
you the names of other surgeons. Many bariatric programs follow patients
for a year and then return care to the family practice MD unless there is a
surgical problem.Good luck.
— dianne E.
May 13, 2004
Hi there.. I have started going to an internist who is Pro WLS. I am out
almost 15mos and she is amazed by the results. I love my surgeon but he is
in Orange Ca and I am in Las Vegas, NV. I decided to find someone here who
if needed knows my history. I hope this helps your search and decision.
— MaxineB
May 13, 2004
I am so proud of the first poster to this question. She is my sister and
looks so INCREDIBLE, that when I visited her in Las Vegas in April, I can
honestly say I did not recognize her. I had to write this.
— Steve B.
May 13, 2004
I also see a local internist. He is now my PCP and he's great. I went to
Mexico for WLS and for plastics recently and he wasn't entirely in favor of
these choices. However, he told me at my April appointment that I'm doing
better than any other gastric bypass patient he has. He does my lab work
and is very thorough in following my progress. You'll find another WLS
friendly doctor. Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
May 13, 2004
Your PCP can do and follow your blood work it does not require a surgeon.
I get my B12 shot from my PCP.
I would do just like I did when I moved to another state; look on here for
other WLS in the area, and make an appointment. You at least need to have
a surgeon in mind in case of a WLS emergency.
— star .
May 13, 2004
I saw my surgeon at my 6 week checkup but since then I see an
endocronologist. He takes great care of me..I give my own B12 shots..Well ,
my hubby does :)
— Kathy S.
May 13, 2004
Hello fellow Texan! I would suggest you get a copy of your medical file
from your surgeon and take it to your pcp. They can look and see what your
surgeon has been doing in terms of blood work and then follow suit. If you
have specific questions in terms of your surgery, you're going to have to
contact a bariatric surgeon. I know some will still see you even tho they
didn't do your surgery. Call around to the one's in your area when the
need arises and ask if they would see you for aftercare questions only.
Good luck to you! Kimberly (6 mos post op Lap-RNY; now a happy 165lbs!)
— Kimberly S.
May 13, 2004
PLESHETTE-
I HAD THE SAME DOCTOR YOU HAD AND I TOO HAD TO FIND A NEW DOCTOR. DARLENE
REFERED ME TO A DR. NOWZARDAN HIS PRACTICE IS IN BELLAIRE TEXAS A LITTLE
FARTHER THAN DR. ______ ANYWAY RATHER THAN DEAL W THE INS. CO. AND NEW
PAPERWORK I CHOSE THIS ROUTE. I JUST HAD TO CALL DR. _____ AND HAVE HIM FAX
ALL OF MY MEDICAL RECORDS TO THERE OFFICE. ALSO ANOTHER OPTION WAS TO SEE
MY PCP WHICH IS AN INTERNIST FOR MY B-12 SHOTS. SINCE DR. NOWZARDANS OFFICE
IS SO FAR FROM WHERE I LIVE KATY TEXAS I HAVE STARTED GIVING MYSELF MY OWN
SHOTS IT WAS REALLY SCARY AT FIRST BUT NOW IM A PRO. ALSO MY OLD DOCTOR HAD
TOLD ME I WOULD BE OKAY W B-12'S ONCE A MONTH AND MY NEW DOCTOR SAID I
SHOULD TAKE THEM ONCE A WEEK SO THERE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN OPINION BUT
OVERALL I AM DOING OKAY WITH THE CHANGE. HE ALSO CAN DO TT, ECT. IF NEEDED.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND BEST WISHES ! -GRACIE
— graciefoster
May 13, 2004
PLESHETTE- I FORGOT TO MENTION I HAVE SOME NUMBERS IF YOU NEED THEM YOU CAN
E-MAIL ME AND ILL GET THEM FOR YOU. KEEP IN TOUCH.
— graciefoster
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