So, I have been overweight my whole life. I am 33, i was 175 in high school. 210-220 most of my adult life and now topped off at 245. I feel like crap. I have researched and thought about bariatric surgery for the past 10 years. I am now confident that the sleeve is right for me and just done with dieting. I have no comorbidites but have other issues that I won't go on forever and list. In the past two months I have been in the ER twice and told to have my gallbladder out by the ER docs. Saw my primary the other day and she proceeds to tell me that all her patients who have done bariatric surgery have all gained their weight back and instead of removing my gallbladder I should just eat right and deal with it. I requested a letter of medical necessity and medical records two months ago getting ready for my consult on June 5th. And she wants to wait until I'm seen. I am so annoyed. I have been to info sessions and other consults in the past years but didn't go ahead because my insurance wouldn't even consider it and I couldn't do it financially. Now I am am prepared either way. I just feel she is trying to discourage me and it really sucks. Anyone else dealing with this?

For me, my primary wasn't discouraging of WLS but what I discovered was they were completely uneducated about the sleeve. I have had to teach them! That your primary is withholding the paperwork you need to have gallbladder surgery when the ER says it is medically indicated, that's a huge red flag!

When I talked with my PCP about the WLS, she just told me very bad things about the bariatric surgeries. Well, I knew that she doesn't know too much about it....the next day, I began the search for a new pcp and I have a NEW one! Very supportive and I'm so happy during my preop journey.... Change your pcp!

I "fired" my pcp when she withheld letter of med necessity b/c of her personal opinion of WLS. We are all entitled to an opinion but when it comes down to making an informed medical condition for yourself, your opinion trumps. I ended up scheduling a meeting w/the head doc in that practice after repeated requests and appointments to get a letter of med necessity. A different doc in the practice ended up giving me the letter. One of the first things I asked about when seeking a new pcp was their take on bariatric patients/ procedures. Through awful complications with the lapband and then conversion to the sleeve, it was important for me to have a dr that would support me.

find another PCP, have your records transferred. it is important to be in synch with your PCP and their philosophy and work as a team. it's no wonder all her bariatric patients gain the weight back when faced with such a negative influence!

I didn't even take my primary in to consideration! I guess I was lucky, made appt with WLS surgeon and went on from there. Good Luck!

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instead of removing my gallbladder I should just eat right and deal with it.

Wow, I have an issue with this. I can't believe she is brushing off your gallbladder. When I ended up in the hospital with my gallbladder and it was removed my surgeon said my surgery lasted longer than normal because it was hard and days away from gangrene I was lucky I got it out when I did. How frustrating

My dr was very supportive but I did have to "educate " her and she asked a lot of questions to be sure I was ready. I haven't seen her since my surgery 4/9 and I have An appt this week. Can't wait to see her reaction!! For those whose drs. are against the surgery, shop around !!! It's so worth it!

Thanks guys. I will get a new PCP. The thing that frankly pisses me off is that I need a letter of medical necessity from her for my insurance to cover. So it looks like I will more likely be self pay. I will ask my surgeon to recommend a primary who is bariatric friendly. And I will getting gallbladder out instead of dealing with it. SMH!

Thanks guys. I will get a new PCP. The thing that frankly pisses me off is that I need a letter of medical necessity from her for my insurance to cover. So it looks like I will more likely be self pay. I will ask my surgeon to recommend a primary who is bariatric friendly. And I will getting gallbladder out instead of dealing with it. SMH!

Get a new dr this happen to me my pcp lied to me told me he was all for it I seen him for three months he must of that ill just give up because when it was time to rt the letter he was like yeah I called the office a week and a half later he said he will call me back .. He nurse called me saying he refuse to do it so I called the surgeon office and they told me about a pcp they deal w and now I'm 4 months out down 83 pounds so good luck you can do it

I love my PCP but when I first went to him about WLS he told me I didn't need it and that I could lose the weight if I go on a diet. I made him run all these tests on me and refer me for a sleep study anyway. My BMI was 41 with no comorbids. Luckily My bariatric surgeon had a list of endocrinologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, etc that he preferred me to use for my insurance clearance so I didn't even need my PCP until my last clearance just to say I am ok to have surgery. For many bariatric surgeons this is big business. They have relationships with the doctors needed to write clearance letters which makes to process easier. There is always a way around a PCP who is resistant. The pre surgery process is super frustrating and many will try to discourage you.

highest weight = 228 DOS = 219 CW = 206 DOS was May 7th 2013

I love my PCP but when I first went to him about WLS he told me I didn't need it and that I could lose the weight if I go on a diet. I made him run all these tests on me and refer me for a sleep study anyway. My BMI was 41 with no comorbids. Luckily My bariatric surgeon had a list of endocrinologist' date=' pulmonologist, cardiologist, etc that he preferred me to use for my insurance clearance so I didn't even need my PCP until my last clearance just to say I am ok to have surgery. For many bariatric surgeons this is big business. They have relationships with the doctors needed to write clearance letters which makes to process easier. There is always a way around a PCP who is resistant. The pre surgery process is super frustrating and many will try to discourage you.

highest weight = 228 DOS = 219 CW = 206 DOS was May 7th 2013[/quote']

Wow. You are so right! They will probably hook it up. I am going to stop worrying and go with the flow. Congrats on the 13 pounds since surgery!

I am glad you are getting a new PCP - if your insurance covers it just have the new PCP write the letter based on her records. It should not be a big deal. You need to be supported and it sounds like she is anything but supportive. I would follow the advice of another person above and ask the bariatric surgeon for a recommendation - good luck.

Well good news. I had my first consult today with the surgeon. I am definitely a candidate for the surgery and he will do my gallbladder at the same time since I'm having attacks. Because of my history of a high BMI and health issues, my insurance approval should not be problematic and I will not require a letter of medical necessity from my PCP. Woo hoo!! I am so glad I don't need her help. I'm requesting my medical records from my PCP and dumping her

Well good news. I had my first consult today with the surgeon. I am definitely a candidate for the surgery and he will do my gallbladder at the same time since I'm having attacks. Because of my history of a high BMI and health issues' date=' my insurance approval should not be problematic and I will not require a letter of medical necessity from my PCP. Woo hoo!! I am so glad I don't need her help. I'm requesting my medical records from my PCP and dumping her [/quote']

Good luck and good for you ...

Both my aunt and my father waited too long on gall bladder surgery and ended up with ruptured gall bladders. The recovery was much more dangerous, longer and painful than mine was. I scheduled laparascopic surgery as soon as possible after my trip to the ER - and it was outpatient. For the relatives I mentioned, they were hospitalized for 4 and 6 days, respectively, and had open surgery instead of laparascopic.

Good job firing your PCP!