I am so frustrated with my PCP right now. I am scheduled for surgery on Oct. 10th in Las Vegas (5 hrs away). I had my EKG and blood panels which came back normal except for elevated cholesterol. My surgeon needs the surgical clearance signed off by my PCP but my PCP won't sign without a Cardiac Clearance. FIne, I totally understand that. I ask him to refer me to a cardiologist so I can get the clearance and he said absolutely not and that I should do it in Las Vegas where I am having the surgery! What's the difference!? I'm irritated and upset and tired of seemingly unnecessary road bumps. I think anticipating this surgery is making me more emotional because I don't usually cry this easily. Has anyone else had issues with their PCP being not so helpful?

I'm wondering if I should just go to a cardiologist on my own here and ignore my PCP about traveling to Vegas for it.

Ask your surgeon to do his own tests and clear you himself, that's what my surgeon did... what would they do if you didn't have a PCP? Pay out-of-pocket to see a cardiologist that will clear you if you must! Elevated cholesterol is not a good reason to NOT clear you, that's the whole point of the surgery; to reverse high numbers, your PCP is being ridiculous - power trip! You'll figure it out

Agreement here with VST addict. My last two surgeries required surgical clearance. In November 2012, My PCP recommended a cardiologist who works with the same hospital as the surgeon, but they are all here within 10 miles of home and coordinate with each other. For the February surgery, I just had to have the surgical clearance from my PCP.

Have you been reading my email? Lol Thanks for your response.

My surgeon's office wrote me back regarding this issue and they were surprised but did say the surgeon can go over my tests and clear me himself. Thank goodness! My PCP is afraid of being liable for anything even after he went down the list of how healthy I am. He was using the elevated cholesterol against me even though he said himself it's not high enough to put me on medication for. Oh well. So glad he is not the be-all-end-all.

Agreement here with VST addict. My last two surgeries required surgical clearance. In November 2012, My PCP recommended a cardiologist who works with the same hospital as the surgeon, but they are all here within 10 miles of home and coordinate with each other. For the February surgery, I just had to have the surgical clearance from my PCP.

I'm sure it's typical protocol. I'm starting to think that my Doctor is mad that I made the decision to have WLS without him. I seriously can't understand why he wouldn't refer me to a cardiologist if his true issue was that I have a cardiac clearance first. I like my PCP so this is disheartening.