Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

My former PCP was always reluctant about WLS but he'd been w/me thru years of up and down scale numbers, trying different diets, health issues, etc. When I finally approached him about it, he was happy to give me the referral to the bariatric program.

About the time I was finishing up, I needed to get an okay from my PCP saying I was in good enough shape for surgery and he had just moved on to another department! My 1st appt w/my new PCP was to get the surgery okay!!! I was freaking out! I had NO clue as to who this guy was and here I'd gone thru the whole program and was only waiting for this step so I could get my date and then pre-op testing done! Well, he was happy to do that for me! He'd had WLS patients in his private practice before coming to Kaiser and he'd seen good things happen.

Fast forward and I have yet another PCP and this guy is typical anti-WLS, you can do this by cutting calories and exercising, blah, blah, blah. He's good but he makes me nuts too! LOL!! Didn't help that by this time I was having weight gain issues, due to problems w/my band.

I did NOT have to go thru him to get my Sleeve. Good thing b/c I don't think he would have signed off on it. My surgeon told me my band had to come out and he was offering me the Sleeve as an alternative. I don't even think my PCP knows about my surgery.

I would try your PCP first. Don't be nervous, they work for you. But have a plan of action to put in to play IF he gives you grief about it. Best wishes!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon who is also a leading researcher of bariatric surgery said that in a survey of doctors who are not supporters said they revealed they are afraid of loosing patients who have health problems once the weight is off. That is so selfish and greedy.

I was wondering if that might be an issue. Greedy indeed. Glad I have found a PCP that is in it for the patient care and not money.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doctor was non-compliant and I ask my surgeon's coordinator what to do she referred me to a PCP and I love him he cares for his patients like they are family and is helping me through the process.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah, I Left my first PCP who wasn't supportive too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is an update...My gut feeling was correct. I talked to a fellow RN at work who was familiar with my doctor, and she said, "Oh, HE'S not going to sign that for you." I took everyone's advice and contacted my surgeon's office. They gave me the number to a doctor in my area, and I have an appt. with him on Monday. When I made my appt. they didn't blink when I told them where I got their number, why I'm coming in, what I need. It was such a relief. I cancelled the appt. with my doctor and if I like this new one, I'll transfer all my care there.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good for you Christine!!

Now you will be able to proceed, happy for you

We shouldnt have to beg these Doctor's for what we need!! I do that every day in my professinal life( little nurse humor) ha!!

Good Luck to you and keep us posted!!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wish mine hadn't pretended to be so supportive in the beginning. I've done my monthly weigh-ins with him for 8 months now! I was hoping to have surgery this week or next, but he STILL hasn't sent the needed information to the surgeon! I don't have time to start over from scratch, so I guess I'm at his mercy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That's where I got my recommended dr from the surgeon office .. Cause my dr wasn't willing .. Congrats it's gone be smooth sailing ... ( wishing nothing but good vibes ) ????????????????????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My Dr was in the same hospital as my wls surgeon. It ended up they knew each other and my Dr very much respected the need for wls. He was smiling and happy for me. I was so relieved.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm on my finess pal my name on there is tam1965 I would to like have anyone that would like to be my friend on there for support ...thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Was scared of the same thing... went to the weight loss seminar and met the surgeon even before we (pcp) talked about it. I had a dream he told me I was crazy. I was more anxious about that more than anything.

So I met with my PCP yesterday and it went great. The Bariatric Coordinator gave me a sample letter for the letter of necessity he had to write to my insurance. I filled in the details for him he did not remember and that was it. The letter helped give a frame work for our discussion and whet he needed to know and provide. You are doing this for you, and not to please your PCP. While you need his/her cooperation, you are the one choosing and doing all the work for transformation. Be your best advocate. You are worth it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgery is July 16th and my Pcp is still against it, she things that weight watchers is the key. I have 3 different heart doctors, my Htn specialist did my paperwork with no problems he is all for it. My cardiologist was like I don't think so at first but after this last scare with my Heart rate in the 170's he was like sure! I haven't told my Pcp the news she will have to wait until post open and I am NOT ashamed because I'm trying move forward.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My PCP is not a fan of WLS at all. He asked me to leave his office if I wanted to proceed with this. He knows of one patient who had complications and died. So' date=' I did exactly as he told me; I picked up my chart and left. I found a GREAT doctor who is supportive of the surgery. Don't let anyone hold you back. If he doesnt clear you for surgery, move on and find someone who will do it.

Good luck to you and keep us posted.[/quote']

I found out that was the problem with my Pcp, she lost a patient. You Needed to drop that Pcp! How rude!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My PCP is not a fan of WLS at all. He asked me to leave his office if I wanted to proceed with this. He knows of one patient who had complications and died. So' date=' I did exactly as he told me; I picked up my chart and left. I found a GREAT doctor who is supportive of the surgery. Don't let anyone hold you back. If he doesnt clear you for surgery, move on and find someone who will do it.

Good luck to you and keep us posted.[/quote']

I found out that was the problem with my Pcp, she lost a patient. You Needed to drop that Pcp! How rude!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My PCP is not a fan of WLS at all.....He knows of one patient who had complications and died....

.

I wonder if he knows of any patients who died from heart attacks, strokes, complications due to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart and coronary disease....I'm sure he does.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×