So i am doing my surgery at my job....my 6 mos medically supervised test and all pre-op testing have been done at my job...so today asks me "Did Dr A (our family pcp) approve your surgery?" and it just dawned on me she doesn't even know ....do i have to tell her...and did u all tell ur PCP...and at what point...before, during or after?

I was self pay and didn't tell my doc till afterwards and after 80+ pounds of weight loss at that. he was delighted and approved and ordered some additional tests and asked that I return in 6 months for another bank of blood work.

sounds good...i remember a few years ago when i was considering the bypass she wasnt thrilled but she wasnt totally anti...and she recommended a doctor at that time....so I guess i will tell her after

I actually did my 6 month diet with my PCP. My surgeon required a release from him before surgery. I will be following up with him next month so he can add any labs he wants to the surgeons office so I don't have to be drained twice and pay for duplicate test. Good Luck!

I was self-pay and told her 3 days before my surgery. She was supportive, not too keen on me going to Mexico to have it done, but I didn't meet the weight requirements to have insurance cover it. She has been great with ordering follow-up blood work and referring me to a support group.

My insurance covered my surgery, but they actually required a letter from my PCP recommending my surgery and notifying them of her support. So, it will just depend on the insurance if you are using that, and if not it's probably just up to you, but it does sound like you might as well have them in the know. For nothing else like others have said, you can probably avoid duplicate blood work!!

i have been doing everything at my job...my blood work, all pre-op testing, the nutritionist, psych eval everything...i am not hiding it from her...just wondering if i should notify her lol or if I have to

i have kaiser, so my pcp had to refer me to the bariatric dept. all referals have to go thru your pcp. he was supportive tho and knew it was good for my health!

best of luck to you all!

Kelly

I went to see my PCP a week after I saw my surgeon for the first time. He has been great at encouraging me and making sure my surgeon has what he needs to submit to insurance. Aetna does require a letter and 2 years of records from my PCP, so I didn't have much choice. But I'm glad I made him a part of the process.

I tried to tell my PCP 6 months before the surgery. Her only concern was that I was going to Mexico and that she did not know much about this type of surgery. But once I came back and had a 1 month appt. She recorded all the information that was sent from the doctor in Mexico to her. She was excited for me and said she was going to become very familiar with this surgery. She wants to check me at 2 months and do the 3 month testing as well.

My PCP was on board and I had to check in with her for 6 months of required visits for Cigna. It all went very well! Good luck to you!

So i am doing my surgery at my job....my 6 mos medically supervised test and all pre-op testing have been done at my job...so today asks me "Did Dr A (our family pcp) approve your surgery?" and it just dawned on me she doesn't even know ....do i have to tell her...and did u all tell ur PCP...and at what point...before, during or after?

LOL I totally went around my PCP since I have PPO insurance and it does not require referrals (the bonus of PPO). Anyhow I avoided my PCP simply due to the fact she made a comment regarding her not being a fan of WLS. So I did everything I needed without her. Well come to find out I did need "history" from my PCP. I made an appointment for my yearly physical and while I was there told her of my pending surgery. To my surprise she was supportive (things can change in 2 yrs). I ended up educating her about VSG since she was only familiar with the band and bypass.

She also said she never sees her patients after they have had bypass

I think you should at least tell your PCP, it is another professional who's business it is... is to see to your good health.

i am not hiding it from her...just haven't seen her in the time frame since i have been prepping for the surgery...best believe if they need records from her i will be contacting her lol

Well I have gone to my PCP all my life -well at least that office all my life...and he is very UNsupportive of any type of weight loss tools EXCEPT diet and exercise. About a month back when I went in to get a copy of some of my records I made an appointment to talk with him...and he told me instead of writing a letter in support of my VSG - he was going to give me a diet to try. I told him I had been given that diet twice before and it never worked. He said "Try AGAIN!"

SO I found a new PCP!!!! She is great! Wants me to try a month of Adipex - but the greatest news is I just found out I DON'T NEED A LETTER from my PCP. My surgery is scheduled for June 20th and I think I may write a letter to my old PCP explaining why I left and that I just needed SUPPORT! I don't know...My point is: You will want your PCP "on-board" so in the future you have someone who respects and understands your decision.

tell her! then see if you need to find a new PCP!

I asked my pcp what he thought about me getting wls and he thought it was a great idea. Has been totally supportive before and after and does my bloodwork so my insurance will pay for it.

i have been doing everything at my job...my blood work, all pre-op testing, the nutritionist, psych eval everything...i am not hiding it from her...just wondering if i should notify her lol or if I have to

I didn't have too but I did about a week before just so he would feel like a part of the team.lol I'm not sure what I would have done if he disaproved, well actually I would have changed pcp's, nothing was going to get in my way.lol