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What if my PCP doesn't support this?



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Hello all,

I have an appointment with my PCP on Thursday for an insurance required referral. I'm a little nervous! I'm not sure how to open the conversation, I don't know if he's a supporter of bariatric surgery, and he doesn't know me well. He's only been my PCP for about a year. Granted, he can pull medical records if he needs to.... but the 'what ifs' keep running through my head. I'd be majorly bummed if he won't refer me.

What should I bring with me? I plan on having insurance requirements printed out, but what else?

TIA!

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Explain why you need it, list the benefits, explain how your weight effects your daily life. Like my osteoarthritis caused a lot of pain and effected my relationship with my children because I couldn't keep up with them, sleep was effected because of the pain and I was depressed because I could be the best mom I could due to my knees and ankles. Make your "presentation" sincere and personal, that will help you out.

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I had the same worry. I've only been with pcp got about 6 mos. after a 25 yr with former dr. But went in and told him I had signed up for seminar and he said "with Dr. Wolf?" I said yes. He said that's great. That's the best help for diabetes and you other chronic problems including back and knees. ". Omg was I happy. This was Monday. They called me later to tell me my referral and records were all sent to wolf's and if there was anything they could do to help me, just let them know. Hope yours works out as well. I think it has been around long enough now that more Drs. Are aware of the benefits. Lol I had even practiced how I would beg. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

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I had the same worry. I've only been with pcp got about 6 mos. after a 25 yr with former dr. But went in and told him I had signed up for seminar and he said "with Dr. Wolf?" I said yes. He said that's great. That's the best help for diabetes and you other chronic problems including back and knees. ". Omg was I happy. This was Monday. They called me later to tell me my referral and records were all sent to wolf's and if there was anything they could do to help me, just let them know. Hope yours works out as well. I think it has been around long enough now that more Drs. Are aware of the benefits. Lol I had even practiced how I would beg. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

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thank you, I appreciate it! I'm glad yours went so smoothly.. fingers crossed mine goes the same!

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Be prepared to explain all your previous attempts to lose weight - what you tried, what the result was, did you gain some, all, or more back...

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Don't worry. If your PCP wants you to be healthy and you meet the criteria for the surgery, they will want you to go for it. Showing the PCP that you have educated yourself on the qualifications of being a candidate for surgery, the implications of having surgery, and the risks will also go a long way. They will want to know you're ready and committed to the lifestyle change. My PCP was thrilled that I had come to the decision on my own and after a ton of research.

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Don't worry. If your PCP wants you to be healthy and you meet the criteria for the surgery, they will want you to go for it. Showing the PCP that you have educated yourself on the qualifications of being a candidate for surgery, the implications of having surgery, and the risks will also go a long way. They will want to know you're ready and committed to the lifestyle change. My PCP was thrilled that I had come to the decision on my own and after a ton of research.

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Yay! This makes me optimistic. Thank you! Appointment is tomorrow afternoon and I'm already nervous

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Don't worry. If your PCP wants you to be healthy and you meet the criteria for the surgery, they will want you to go for it. Showing the PCP that you have educated yourself on the qualifications of being a candidate for surgery, the implications of having surgery, and the risks will also go a long way. They will want to know you're ready and committed to the lifestyle change. My PCP was thrilled that I had come to the decision on my own and after a ton of research.

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Yay! This makes me optimistic. Thank you! Appointment is tomorrow afternoon and I'm already nervous

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My GP was not in favor of the surgery at my BMI, but he still gave me medical clearance. I'm not sure what exactly your insurance needs but I'm sure he would've written the letter if I'd needed it.

If he says no, find a new GP.

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I too am not sure if my PCP will give me a referral. I have only been seeing her for the last two years and my weight has gone up and down throughout the years due to yo-yo dieting. I switched PCPs a lot before I found one that I was comfortable with and would always go on a fad diet before scheduling my annual physicals because I was ashamed of my weight and didn't want to get lectured about the dangers of obesity.

I have kept a log of most of my weight loss attempts and weight gains which I plan on bringing to my Dr.'s appointment. Hopefully that will help. Good luck with your doctor.

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Update to all- he referred me with no problem and stated he'd rather I get it done now while still young (27) so I can bounce back quickly and ended the convo with stating that he is in full support of my decision

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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