I'm new to Nashville, Tn; we moved from Texas, so I of course had to switch doctors! Well I finally talked to my new PCP about having weight loss surgery and asked for a letter of recommendation. Guess what he did! He stuck his nose up at me and was like, "diet and exercise!" and excused himself! What nerve!! Anyway! I contacted my old PCP and he pretty much told me I'd have to come in and see him b4 anything. That's kind of hard bc I'm 14 hrs away! So I don't know what to do. I have to have a letter of recommendation from a doctor in order for my insurance to approve me!

I do have an appointment with the surgeon June 7th. If I talked to him, could he do it for me since I'm actually through him, not my PCP?

Thanks for listening to my rant! :thumbup:

Any advise given in this matter is appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

I had a similar situation to yours. My PCP refused to refer me so I went directly to the surgeon. However i live in Australia where our insurance is different. For me I was covered for the op but had to go back to get a referral for the fills. Once I was banded the Dr couldn't then refuse to give me a referral!

Are you sure your insurance requires a referral for this? My PCP was not involved, even the littlest bit, in the process. I went to my surgeon's seminar, made an appointment with him, and his office coordinated it all.

I mean, I told my PCP---when I happened to be in his office---but he didn't factor in at all.

Is there a possibility you could find another pcp in the area?

Call the surgeon and ask his office for PCP recommendations who will be supportive of weight loss surgery.

Betsy, my insurance requires a letter of medical necessity from a doctor other than my surgeon. My pcp did it, but I don't think it has to be a pcp.

Sette, is there another doctor you could go to? Maybe get a new pcp, or if you have any co-morbidities, maybe a doctor for that, like an endocrinologist for diabetes.

My insurance required my PCP to recommend the surgery. My PCP was very supportive, and said that while she likes to see it occur without the surgery she understands when you hit a certain point diet and excercise just aren't going to work. She was GREAT!

Now I have a lady my husband works with that was considering this and she came back to my husband, knowing I have had this, and stated her doctor said the surgery is a hoax, EVERYONE gains back the weight and MORE, and he won't recommend anyone for it, that she needs to eat 500 calories less then she burns, and excercise and she will do better then any of us "unfortunates" who have fallen for the surgery hype. She said 'he is a very smart guy, so he knows what he is talking about'

WHATEVER...............

anyway I would suggest finding a different PCP because if you get this approved you want one that will support you afterwards, not blame every sniffle, or issue you have on the band.

Sorry to hear what an ass your PCP was. My PCP is Cindi Jones Woods at Stonecrest Medical in Smyrna, TN. She was great and really helped me out with everything that I needed to get my approval. Who is your surgeon? Baptist Metabolic was great and I highly recommend them! Good luck with everything.

Hey Betsy!

Yeah, one of my requirements is a letter of recommendation from my PCP. So I don't know what I'm going to do if I can't get it from my PCP or surgeon! :/

Did you have to submit a 2 year history of medical records?

Thanks you guys for all your support!!

Thanks! I actually work in Smyrna, so I might give Dr. Cindi Jones Woods a call! I'm going with Dr. Morton. I haven't visited with him yet, but everyone says he's great! *crosses fingers* Thanks again for the doctor refernce! I'll need to give her a call Monday and set up an appointment! :)Hmm.. What kind of appointment should I set? Just say I want to set up an appointment to talk to the doctor about WLS?? Eck! Ha! I wish I wasn't so afraid of the big bad wolf doctors!! It was hard enough to ask my former PCP now I have to explain it to another doctor. Boo!