I have appt tomorrow to inform my pcp, that I'm in the process of getting WLS. i'm already going into my 4th month diet visit with nutritionist. How do I approach him about it and have him write a medical letter of necessity to submit to insurance company. The end of the 6mnths diet visits is closing on me really fast..hope he doesn't give me a hard time.

I just said to him--I know we've discussed WLS in the past and you really felt I could do it on my own. I haven't been able to and looking at my mother's health issues now, I don't want to be there in 25 years. I have done my research and I feel I'm making an informed decision but I need your help and support. good luck!

Lisa

Oh and he has been amazingly supportive....

I really worried about this too. My PCP always asks how things are going. I told him about my WLS seminar and my interest in it. He did some probing, wanting to know why I wanted it and how strongly. He then went through my medical record to review whether or not I met co-morbidities. I admitted that I was going through the testing process and didn't want to get my hopes up in case I wasn't approved. Believe it or not, he was sympathetic and supportive. He asked for copies of all my records from the surgeons office so he could be informed of what I was doing and what the findings were. Fast forward 6 months later to my next appointment and I had lost almost 70 pounds. He was thrilled! He cut my cholesterol med in half and took me off CPAP. I'm glad I gave him the opportunity to support me.

I just said :Oh, btw, I am having WLS within the next few months." Her eyes bugged out and then she asked me all about it and was very supportive.

I actually went to my PCP first and he gave me a referral to the surgeon I used. This man ( my PCP) has been my doctor since I was in elementary school. I was nervous, yes. But at the same time he saw how my mom struggled for years with her weight, and he has also seen how my weight had continued to go up and up over the years. Bottom line is he wanted me to be healthy. He had no problems with me seeking WLS, only wanted me to take all the proper steps before I had it. ( like seeing all the other doctors who have treated me for various health issues) And post op he has continued to be supportive. He is thrilled at my weight loss and how it has improved my health and my life.

My PCP knew I was fat and trying to lose weight for a decade. So when I came to him and said "its time to try something else", he was completely supportive. There was no judgment or blame. He just said "if you're convinced you cant do this yourself, then this makes complete sense for your long term health".

He doesn't want to treat you for complications of obesity for the rest of your life so I can't imagine he'd be anything but supportive.

If you're really worried about it, I would go in prepared with facts. Look up statistics on WLS, the Pros of WLS, and the statistic of people that lose a lot of weight on their own and are able to keep it off at the 4 year mark (it's depressingly low). That should help counter the whole 'you should do it naturally' argument that many people have.

Be armed with the facts, but you may not need them. When I broached it with my doctor, he said 'splendid!'. I think he wanted to mention it already but didn't know how to say it

I made an appointment with my PCP for the express purpose of getting a referral to a WLS surgeon. My PCP has been my PCP for 20+ years, so he knows how I've struggled and how my weight has been up and down. He was very happy when I told him I had been considering WLS for years but finally decided I needed to do it and has been extremely supportive. Good luck to you!

I had my appointment with my pcp this morning. .he was all for wls..the lap band or the sleeve. He said he wouldn't recommend bypass. I was soooooo nervous for nothing. He said it will help me since I have not been able to lose weight. Now I have ballooned up to 240lbs :-(..can't believe at times how did I let myself get so big. .praying for surgery in April/ May.

that's great news. It's funny during the whole process we all worry (mainly because alot of it is out our control) but it all goes pretty smoothly for most of us. There may be a hiccup or two but they are usually minor. You are one step closer!

Lisa