So... I had an appointment with my primary care physician to get clearance for surgery. I was hoping to have sleeve surgery in November. He was very reluctant to give me clearance and said that he does not agree with the surgery. Instead he put me on an injectable medication - Victoza.

I love my doctor and I generally trust him and I was very surprised because he knows how hard I've tried over the years to lose weight. I've tried virtually everything although I have not tried medication to lose weight. He talked about how many patients he has that have had complications from weight loss surgery. And those who have gained the weight. Anyway, now I am conflicted and just wanted to get some opinions from all of you. Did any of you try weight loss medications or try the one that I mentioned? When I look online, it seems that people only lose about 5 to 10% of their excess body weight with the medication I have been put on.

Just wanting your thoughts, opinions, comments. I am so, so sick, tired and despondent with being overweight my whole life and I am now 50 years old. I need to lose 100 pounds. I really don't know if medication will do it. I had my heart set on having the surgery in November after spending a long time thinking about it and trying to make the decision and now that I have finally made the decision my doctor says it's not a good idea. Aaarrrggghhh....

Edited September 11, 201510 yr by BHopeful

BHopeful,

I’m sorry to hear about your situation. In your healthcare system, are you entitled to a second opinion? I know some healthcare plans, including some HMO’s, patients are entitled to a free second opinion.

Your doctor may be right about the risks of surgery, but it’s up to you to weigh the risks and benefits and decide if you want to take the risks. Whatever you decide, your provider should be behind you 100%, even if he doesn’t agree. Have you mentioned your fears with Victoza: not much weight loss, side effects, and short-term nature of the treatment?

It’s hard to find a good doctor, and I’m sorry yours isn’t meeting your needs. I hope you can find someone else to talk to, whether it’s a different general doctor, or a specialist such as an endocrinologist (do you have one?) or a bariatric surgeon.

Good luck, and keep us updated!

I'm surprised that you haven't tried a weight loss medication at this stage. Surgery shoul be reserved when there are no other options left.

I have always been too scared to try medication because it would have to be long term. That's why I'm wondering if anyone here has ever tried medication? My assumption is that it might be somewhat successful but then anytime I am not on the medication I will just put on weight again.

I tried a medication before deciding on surgery. It didn't do anything for me

This makes me so nervous I go see my primary care physician to get a referal on the 25th im scared he will say no also

Guys ive creatrdvs facrbook group where i will be video journaling my upcoming sleeve procedure on 10/08. Feel free to join and share your whatever you like. Picts, recipes, progess updates etc. https://www.facebook.com/groups/404032579798702/

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Guys ive creatrdvs facrbook group where i will be video journaling my upcoming sleeve procedure on 10/08. Feel free to join and share your whatever you like. Picts, recipes, progess updates etc. https://www.facebook.com/groups/404032579798702/

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk

I just added you ruby woo

while I have never been on victoza... My mother who is diabetic, was placed on this in the past to help maintain her sugar levels AND with the hopes she'd have some weight loss and it DID work ... but she didn't have 100 lbs or more too lose. more like 30-50 lbs MAX for her. she had to come off it due to insurance reasons for a couple years and the weight came back. Within the past month she went back on, and as usual her sugar is wonderful and hunger cravings are gone and she's lost 9 lbs already. Do I think it works? yes.. but I'm not so sure it's something that's going to stay off permanently... I would recommend what everyone else is suggesting and if anything, see another PC for a second opinion. In the end, this is your decision.. and whichever is the best choice for you! Good luck!

Edited September 13, 201510 yr by Debs528

I think people should stop making assumptions that the OP's PCP is absolutely wrong about bariatric surgery in this case. We do not know all of the details of the situation and bariatric surgery may not be the best immediate option in this case. It blows my mind how much negativity towards this doctor is generated instantly since they didn't immediately jump to the requested treatment. It is definitely possible that the PCP is ignorant of the benefits of bariatric surgery, but isn't it also possible the OP is not the right type of candidate for surgery at this time?

If I am reading the original post correctly....the OP is looking for "medical clearance" not a referral. Totally different. Medical clearance is your primary physician telling your bariatric surgeon that surgery will be safe. I had to have blood work, chest x-ray and EKG. Has nothing to do with a letter recommending WLS.

OP.....do you see any other doctor that can order these tests? Gyno? Endocrinologist? Maybe your bariatric surgeon can recommend a doctor who can help you. Your primary doesnt have to agree with your decision to have surgery, he/she just has to agree that your are health/stable enough to undergo the procedure.

Hope this helps!

Edited September 13, 201510 yr by Chele H

My PCP gave me the idea of WLS which totally took me off guard. I didn't think about it before. I just knew I couldn't lose weight.

After I had the surgery I had to get a new PCP because my old one moved. I told her I had a lap band and she didn't know what it really was. I was shocked. I mean she is a PCP and obesity is probably one of the biggest challenges patients are facing. How could she not know about lap bands? She didn't seem up to speed on WLS in general.

It was then that I was grateful to have such an open minded PCP when I did. Ironically she suggested WLS the first time I met with her.

I would suggest working backwards and finding a surgeon and then a new PCP like others suggest.

This is a very good comment. Definitely a voice of reason.

To give a little bit more information. Apart from being obese and having 100 pounds to lose, and having obesity for my whole life time, my only medical issues are low thyroid and mild sleep apnea which is well controlled. I have actually spend years working out and exercising, have worked very hard at good nutrition, but none of that has helped me lose weight. I have logged my food choices by taking pictures of many of the meals I make and eat. I was off work this summer and spend everyday exercising between 1 and 4 hours per day. Didn't lose any weight and I am so frustrated and so after considering surgery for a very long time have decided that will be my only other option. I have worked very, very hard at trying to lose weight and it seems like the only thing that will do it is being on a highly calorie restricted diet and I think the only way I can do that long term is by having weight loss surgery. Anyway, that is a long answer but just to say I do not have medical or psychological problems that would counter indicate surgery. I just have a PCP who has seen complications in some of his patients and so he is cautious.

I had the EXACT same experience as you did. My doctor has never followed a bariaric patient and he was giving me a hard time, telling me the insurance required me to write every single thing I ate for six months and that was not true. I even sent the portion of the policy of what is required of me from the insurance. After that, he stated he would not provide a letter of support until the six months was up. However, the bariatric surgeon required a letter of support BEFORE I could even get a consultation! So with the nurses attitude about the entire situation and their obvious inexperience and ignorance about the situation, I told them the nurse if they were not willing to do it, I would find someone who would. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I DID. I had no problems with the next doctor and she didn't question me and she had only followed one bariaric patient. I don't understand the reluctance. I have three comorbid conditions. I'm an adult and if I have problems after the surgery, I'm the one who will have to deal with them, not the doctor!!! So....I agree with the others who have posted, find someone who will help you! This is YOUR life!

No the OP said that people that "are on the medication that she is on" only lose 5-10% not with weight loss surgery

Not sure how you get the idea "people only lose 5-10% of their excess weight." You're not reading the same boards I am.

I lost all all my excess weight in less than 9 months. I've maintained at my goal for the last 4 months. I'm down 95 pounds now from where I started -- at 235 pounds.

I've had no complications. I had surgery when I was 68 years old. My life has changed 1000% for the better.

I'm sorry your doctor is so unhelpful.

Have you considered self pay and going to Mexico? They have amazingly skilled surgeons who have performed thousands of surgery and the cost is minimal and no wait. I have been three times now to Mexico for various surgeries and would not hesitate to go again. Bariatric Pal can actually provide you with more information and coordinate everything for you, this is who I recently used. They are amazing!!!

You don't have to go to Mexico to self-pay. There's an entire thread of costs and places in the US on this forum. I self paid $14,000 in Nevada. I didn't need a note from my PCP.

Edited September 14, 201510 yr by sleevenv

I also had my primary doctor refuse to give clearance. He said it was way to much paper work to go through and Medicare is very hard to get approval from.

I went to a bariactric surgeon for my first appointment, he recommended me to a primary care dr, who after 2 visits agreed I would be a good candidate for the sleeve. I saw this doctor for 6 months with weigh ins and nutritional information.

So I agree you look for a Bariatric dr, they will help you.

Good Luck