So my PCP just called me and told me she cannot write my letter of medical necessity because she has never done a nutrtion plan with me. I am trying to explain to her the letter I gave her was just a sample of what I needed she could take that part out. She then proceeded to tell me all the people she has ever known to get this surgery has failed at it so I'm wasting my time. WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR TELLS THEIR PATIENTS THIS!!!! I am beyond furious right now and have tried calling not only my insurance but also my Bariatric Coordinator to see what I should do about this. Has anyone ever had this happen to them?

That's ridiculous.

Find a new Pcp asap.

What about you're OB?, I had letters written by both my ob and pcp because I had been with my ob longer and she knew my medical history better. The insurance specialist at my surgeon's office said it was fine.

I did not have this happen to me, but what I did was ask the bariatric office which dr.'s they recommended or that work "with" them and I made a appt with one of them. I was in and out of the office in 10 minutes, my paper was signed and faxed over to my surg's office in less than 5 minutes. So call your surg office and ask them to recommend a dr, make an appt and have them fill out you form for you. No muss no fuss.

That's what I was thinking. My OBGYN is very supportive of my decision to do this because of my PCOS and possible ovarian cancer.

Find a new PCP! You need a regular Dr. who is on board with what you are doing and is supportive. This person is going to be helping your surgeon meet your medical health goals. Get your records copied and take them to your new PCP. Time to do some homework!

So my PCP just called me and told me she cannot write my letter of medical necessity because she has never done a nutrtion plan with me. I am trying to explain to her the letter I gave her was just a sample of what I needed she could take that part out. She then proceeded to tell me all the people she has ever known to get this surgery has failed at it so I'm wasting my time. WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR TELLS THEIR PATIENTS THIS!!!! I am beyond furious right now and have tried calling not only my insurance but also my Bariatric Coordinator to see what I should do about this. Has anyone ever had this happen to them?

Maybe she doesn't know enough people.

Lol

Seriously, find a new PCP, because this one will obviously not be helpful after the surgery. You need everyone on your team, including your doc.

That is completely absurd! My obgyn was the one who told me I should consider surgery. Definitely ask yours about the letter. Ask the hospital where you are having your surgery if they happen to create letters for the drs to sign. Where I am having mine done they will create the letter for your dr based off of the data they collect from them, if they need them to, and the dr just signs it.

I had something similar happen to me with my PCP. Took the papers and asked him to do this, he gave me the run around. Then told me he's not a nut counselor, and he doesn't have time to sit here and explain nutrition with me. I left and it was like a huge weight came on me. Called the bariatric group and they were surprised, never heard of a dr not doing this.

They called the dr they deal with and got me an appointment right away. Dr came in said we'd be done in 15 seconds and we were! Just asked me questions. We did talk a little after that but was about my PCP not doing it. This one said his loss is my gain. I just hope my ins will do 2 PCP because my old one is still taking care of me and the new one is for nutrition only.

I would go and find a new PCP or better yet find another doctor that you see regularly like an OB and see if they can sign off for you. Not all PCP's are going to be on board with bariatric surgery because with some PCP's they haven't seen many of their own patients go through with this or had the education on it. There is a difference between knowing people and actually treating people who had this surgery. You want to have a PCP who has worked with patients and treated patients who had this surgery before. I was extremely lucky to have a PCP who has treated and worked with bariatric patients before. I wouldn't call your insurance right away with this until you spoke with your bariatric coordinator so you can figure it all out.

This is a huge red flag that your PCP is not keeping up with current research and guidelines per the AMA and the NIHI. Regardless of his/her personal opinion the statistics are clear that the majority of people keep off the majority of their excess weight. Diets work in only about 3 percent of the time. I would get a new PCP ASAP.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I contacted the bariatric coordinator and left a message waiting on her return call. I still cannot believe the nerve of this lady. I will definitely be looking for a new PCP to help me along with this. I am so furious it's not even funny. From what I've seen most of her patients are elderly so who knows what they may have experienced with their WLS everyone is different. It just boggles my mind that she would have the audacity to say that to me.

Wow! Definitely time to find a new PCP!

My PCP before my current one had told me she would never give any of her patients any recommendations for the surgery. She wasn't very supportive in any of my health problems and never really got on top of my health issues. Since starting this new PCP in November, I have gone from a 9.5 A1c to a 6.4 A1c. I had seen my previous PCP for years and got no where.

what irritates the crap out of me is that who would NOT back you for trying to better your life? what kind of jerk does that?

That is a sad story, but easily fixed. bye bye old PCP, hello new supportive caring PCP. good luck!!!