Well - I am on my way with all of the appointments needed to get to surgery. One thing I needed was a script/note from my PCP for clearence to have surgery. I thought this was a strange request but I went to my primary doc today and asked him about it. HE WAS MAD!!!!!! Not at me but at the surgeons. He said that they are "not playing nice in the sand box" He is of course worried about his liability and I can totally understand that. I explained to him about the ekg, chest x-ray and blood work that I have to have done with the surgeons office before surgery and he did not care. I totally get it, he has to cover his butt. But I am not going to go through all of it twice! I have to pay for it for surgery anyway. Did anyone else have to get a note from their PCP? Was it a problem?

I am just getting frustrated now.

Yes, the hospital I'm trying to get the Band at requires a referral and sent me a form for my PCP to fill out. I see a group of docs where I live and a couple of NP's. If I can get my favorite NP there to refer me (which I'm sure she will) then I should be good to go. My docs are always telling me if I lose weight then my blood pressure should go down.

I don't get why your doc is mad though; primary care docs are always giving referrals to other docs???

Blessings, Michelle

Hi:

My LapBand doctor's office handled getting the referral for me. Not that it would have been a problem with my pcp, however all of the preliminary paperwork was handled by my LapBand surgeon's group. I had no idea about the hoops some people have to jump through to get banded.

By the way, my PCP is very pleased with me and my accomplishments with the band.

Best wishes to you with getting banded. My only regret about the band was not getting it done sooner.

Sue

I was really shocked by his response. He originally said it was a liability that he would have to to all sorts of test to clear me, totally get that, but then he mentioned how "those doctors have their little package deal yet include his services for free" so is it because he is not getting a take in the cash? He said "if they are going to be that way, see if I ever refer them!" I was just trying to be understanding and keep it nice (thank goodness I was not PMS/emotional).

The last time I was in his office and told him my choice to have lap-band he gave me a 20 minute speach on "if you would just get up a 5am and go jogging":mad2:

I will be changing PCP's when this is all over. I have only been going to him since May of this year (like 3 visits) since we just moved.

I will not let him stop me....neither will my surgeon!

Basically they are asking your PCP to put in writing that you wont die on the operating table. He cant predict that and it is more appropriate for a cardiologist or an anesthesiologist to determine that...but this is just how things work..

That remark about jogging at 5am was out of line!