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

Recommended Posts

So, I advised my PCP roughly about the first part of December that I'd made the to get the VSG, he hesitated and asked me to make and appointment with his office so that we can discuss it.

*My annual exam was in Oct. On that day flat out told me I need to loose some weight.

So, yesterday I went in for the appointment. Thinking ahead I scheduled it as WLS consultation just in case. l dont know know if BCBS will require them but I want to be as proactive as possible.

PCP: ....so you want to loose some weight huh?

Me: yes. Didn't you also suggest it a few months ago?

PCP: You'll have to change your lifestyle a lot. Have you see a dietitian?

Me: Yes I have several times, she says my eating habits aren't the worst she'd seen. She feels like I will be fine once I get the weight off.

PCP: Well.....I going to prescribe you 2 diet pills and something to work on bringing down your Triglycerides.

Me: Are those the same pills you gave me 4 years ago that did nothing for me?

PCP: **blank stare**

Me: My WLS surgeon also told me that I am Hypertensive, do you have a prescription for that as well?

PCP: **blank stare** The nurse will take care of those for you.

All I could think is WOW! It was beyond me that he would rather commit me to a lifetime of medication to correct a problem that I have already found my fix for. You didn't even bother to see if I had taken the medication previously or what the out come was. At no point did he offer any guidance or additional information on the WLS procedure. I am praying that I don't have to go back ever! Needless to say after this is all said and done I will be looking for a new PCP.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh my! Yep... Time to find a new pcp!!

You need one that will listen to you and be supportive!!

It sounds like you are very smart and know what you need to do... FOR YOU!!!

Good luck on your journey!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ugh.. I feel you! I once went to a PCP and I was really concerned about my weight as I was 360 pounds and gaining. I tried to talk to him about it and he looked at my blood work and he told me I'm the picture of health and that losing weight was optional, if I really wanted to do it..... A month later I visited an endocrinologist who said my thyroid, cortisol, progesterone and estrogen were all a disaster. Yeah, I never went back to that PCP again!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks ladies. I was simply in awe! I am still rather upset about it all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So' date=' I advised my PCP roughly about the first part of December that I'd made the to get the VSG, he hesitated and asked me to make and appointment with his office so that we can discuss it.

*My annual exam was in Oct. On that day flat out told me I need to loose some weight.

So, yesterday I went in for the appointment. Thinking ahead I scheduled it as WLS consultation just in case. l dont know know if BCBS will require them but I want to be as proactive as possible.

PCP: ....so you want to loose some weight huh?

Me: yes. Didn't you also suggest it a few months ago?

PCP: You'll have to change your lifestyle a lot. Have you see a dietitian?

Me: Yes I have several times, she says my eating habits aren't the worst she'd seen. She feels like I will be fine once I get the weight off.

PCP: Well.....I going to prescribe you 2 diet pills and something to work on bringing down your Triglycerides.

Me: Are those the same pills you gave me 4 years ago that did nothing for me?

PCP: **blank stare**

Me: My WLS surgeon also told me that I am Hypertensive, do you have a prescription for that as well?

PCP: **blank stare** The nurse will take care of those for you.

All I could think is WOW! It was beyond me that he would rather commit me to a lifetime of medication to correct a problem that I have already found my fix for. You didn't even bother to see if I had taken the medication previously or what the out come was. At no point did he offer any guidance or additional information on the WLS procedure. I am praying that I don't have to go back ever! Needless to say after this is all said and done I will be looking for a new PCP.[/quote']

Omg I can so relate. My former PCP threw me out of his office because I needed him to refer me to a dietician and psychiatrist so I fufill the requirements for surgery (he was against me having WLS). Needless to say I never saw him again after that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thats crazy... Fill you full of pills is not the answer. You are wanting surgery so you can loose weight and be accountable! The pill way is all too common and a temporary fix... Your trying for longterm and getting healthy, not pills!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Guess I am lucky, my PCP actually suggested it and helped with the research on the surg.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My belief is, "practicing" medicine is an extreme lucrative career as long as your patients need you. In most of instances after the surgery not only do you eliminate off of most of the medications.....PCP needed services are needed far and few between.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Lucky you Peppy! Mine is officially a QUACK!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't tell my PCP until after I had my sleeve. BUT he was all on board and started figuring out how we were going to get me off the meds. I was pretty shocked, but he's been a good guy since I started seeing him. Now my endocrinologists is another story. He just kept prescribing more and more and I just couldn't take it anymore. That's what get me started on the road to WLS. Now I fax my sugar tests to the PCP every two weeks and his nurse calls me with the plan of action. Hang in there, there are good Drs. I was lucky, but I know that there are more out there.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

omg i've changed PCPs so many times before i found a good one. Most of them are very indifferent, i remember one of my doctors just telling me "you need to lose weight you're probably going to get diabetes and die in your forties" and then sending me off. what a noob, thats the thing about doctors, i think most of them only know how to prescribe a pill.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So there are plans that don't require you to visit your PCP for 3 months or a dietitian for 3 or 6 months! My surgeon never said I had to do either but reading all the forums/blogs, there seems to be a common theme....

I'll be done with all of my appointments by 1/14. I hope to schedule surgery soon after.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

omg i've changed PCPs so many times before i found a good one. Most of them are very indifferent, i remember one of my doctors just telling me "you need to lose weight you're probably going to get diabetes and die in your forties" and then sending me off. what a noob, thats the thing about doctors, i think most of them only know how to prescribe a pill.

I agree, I lost both parents to co-morbities. Mom at 54 and Dad at 57. My Mom had her first stroke at 40...sad enough my PCP knows all of this!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My old pcp was crazy! I went to her and told her i was starting the process and she was going to have to write a letter of approval and she basically point blank said she wouldnt. She wanted me to keep a food journal and come see her every 2 weeks for 6 months and then decide if i needed surgery. I've been there and done that, tried every diet under the sun. Safe to say i didn't go back 2 weeks later, I found a new pcp that wants me to have the surgery done by march at the latest!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My old pcp was crazy! I went to her and told her i was starting the process and she was going to have to write a letter of approval and she basically point blank said she wouldnt. She wanted me to keep a food journal and come see her every 2 weeks for 6 months and then decide if i needed surgery. I've been there and done that' date=' tried every diet under the sun. Safe to say i didn't go back 2 weeks later, I found a new pcp that wants me to have the surgery done by march at the latest![/quote']

Oh wow...i think its official, some of these pcps are a little kooky lol

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

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.
  • 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

    ×