My surgeon's office called me yesterday to schedule my surgery. Only thing I needed was a letter from my PCP recommending surgery. He gave my a referral to the weight loss surgeon but reluctantly. He said he would be shocked if the weight loss surgeon would do it. Well he did. I got my cardiac clearance no problem. Now my PCP requires me to write him a letter of my weightloss attempts, why I want it done etc before he will write the letter for surgery.. Now he requires that I see a neurosurgeon due to how long my neck will be in the position required for surgery. I am heartbroken and in tears.

I'm so sorry. These setbacks are truly heartbreaking, but thankfully not insurmountable. If you aren't comfortable with your PCPs demands and/or level of support, would it be possible to find another doctor? My primary care doc is extremely supportive and has been a HUGE help throughout the process.

As far as the neuro consult is concerned, I'm assuming there is a reason he is asking for that? Perhaps he's just looking out for your health and best interest?

Take time to grieve the setback, and then make a plan that best fits YOUR needs. Best of luck to you!

I can't change my PCP until November. I like his office because they get me in quickly or even call meds in for me. My PCP referred me to the pain specialist because I have previous cervical fusion(2007) and now have a herniated disk below it.. I had an epidural steroid injection yesterday. I have daily headaches and am trying to find a treatment that works. I have a mechanical heart valve and take blood thinners but have had 2 surgeries when I had to stop them and get the shots and didn't have a problem. My heart has been stable since 2015 and got cardiac clearance for bariatric surgery with no problems. I can't believe he is sending me to a neurosurgeon only because of the position my neck will be in during surgery. I am so let down but am writing out notes for my letter.

While you cant change your PCP... you can always pay out of pocket to see another one... Most of those visits are just a couple hundred bucks.

I don't think the requirement of the PCP is unreasonable. However, they should have been up front about the requirements from the beginning. You could already had this taken care of rather then telling you at the last minute.

You obviously discussed it with them, as they referred you so I think it was "dickish" to not disclose the requirements upfront as well.

Good luck.

The letter from him was my last requirement for my insurance. I have gone through 5 months of preparing for surgery. He wasn't for it but gave me a referral to the weight loss surgeon. He didn't think the surgeon or cardiologist would approve it, which they did. I have to write him a letter stating why I want the surgery, everything else I have tried. He said there are new weight loss drugs out there. I called his office and left him a message regarding what weight loss drugs are out there will not interact with warfarin or increase my heart rate as I take blood pressure meds to regulate my heart rate. He has never treated my neck pain just sent me to pain Dr. and now he wants to be concerned about the position my neck will be in for surgery. So now an MRI before I can even see the neurosurgeon. I will have to call and see how long my insurance will let me go after I finished my preop phase.

11 minutes ago, lindajlue said:

The letter from him was my last requirement for my insurance. I have gone through 5 months of preparing for surgery. He wasn't for it but gave me a referral to the weight loss surgeon. He didn't think the surgeon or cardiologist would approve it, which they did. I have to write him a letter stating why I want the surgery, everything else I have tried. He said there are new weight loss drugs out there. I called his office and left him a message regarding what weight loss drugs are out there will not interact with warfarin or increase my heart rate as I take blood pressure meds to regulate my heart rate. He has never treated my neck pain just sent me to pain Dr. and now he wants to be concerned about the position my neck will be in for surgery. So now an MRI before I can even see the neurosurgeon. I will have to call and see how long my insurance will let me go after I finished my preop phase.

Sounds like you need a new PCP. Why can't you change? I have never heard of not being able to switch doctors.

Thank you guys. I just called my insurance and I can change my PCP. The bariatric team I am working with are so nice and willing to help me also. I am so glad I found Bariatricpal thank you guys so much.

I spent 11 years with a PCP who flat out refused me to have WLS. He actually was disqualified from practicing in MA. My first visit with the new doctor, she said “yes “ and was supportive the whole way. Switch doctors!

It is horrible you had to wait so long. my PCP told me their are weight loss drugs now. I asked him what drugs don't either interact with my blood thinner or increase my heart rate. There is 1, Semglutide which is $600 per month.

My PCP was very supportive of me having the surgery, but my program actually required neuro clearance due to seizures. My neurologist was fine sending over a note with his approval for surgery, but it really was yet another step in the process before I got cleared.

Have you been scheduled for your surgery yet?

1 minute ago, lindajlue said:

Have you been scheduled for your surgery yet?

Yes, I got my bypass in May. Fingers cross you'll get through everything required without any roadblocks. Good luck!

I hope so too. How have you been doing since your surgery?

I have MS and had to have my neurologist sign off on the surgery, which he happily did. My PCP was very supportive because she knew I tried different things, including keto. She knew my health issues and was fantastic and proactive. If your doctor is really dragging things out for you and causing all kinds of problems, I would look for another doctor. Is your neuro ok with the surgery? How long will it take for your insurance to approve your MRI? Will your neuro insist on a MRI in order to send over a note approving you for the surgery? Your PCP can't insist your neuro do testing you may not need.

13 hours ago, lindajlue said:

I hope so too. How have you been doing since your surgery?

Overall I'm doing well. However, my team feels that I'm losing too much too quickly because I'm having trouble with getting enough protein in. I've been having issues with food food aversions that I have to get past and learn to eat a bit more. However, because I had hyperemesis during my pregnancy, my nutritionist feels that history is playing a part in having a tougher time getting enough calories.

It's a very individual journey in many aspects, but having support groups and forums like this are helpful in learning from other people's experiences.