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.

My PCP has never referred me to or mentioned a neurosurgeon before. He just referred me to a pain specialist. We are doing conservative treatments right now. My PCP is only sending me to a neurosurgeon because of the position my neck will be in during the surgery. The neurosurgeon is requiring I have an MRI in the last 6 months before they will see me as a new patient. The bariatric team I am working with called me this morning to tell me that my PCP didn't even talk to my bariatric surgeon he only texted him. He told me he talked to him. I am in shock. I never would have thought he would lie like that. The bariatric team told me not to switch doctors right now as it will hold me up. They will help me do the letter my PCP wants me to write to him regarding my weight loss history and why I want bariatric surgery. They also said my PCP usually listens to the bariatric surgeon. If he is only trying to cover his *** why doesn't he just get me to sign something saying I am not going to sue him.

St77 I hate you are having difficulty. Are you still in the liquid or puree phase? I can understand how it would be difficult with your history. I think I will have to drink the protein water and the unflavored protein powder to get all my protein in. Sending good vibes your way.

On 8/12/2022 at 10:45 AM, lindajlue said:

St77 I hate you are having difficulty. Are you still in the liquid or puree phase? I can understand how it would be difficult with your history. I think I will have to drink the Protein Water and the unflavored Protein Powder to get all my protein in. Sending good vibes your way.

Oh no, I'm on regular food now, just figuring out what sits right with me now. It's a frustrating matter of trial and error, but I'll get through it. I tried all sorts of protein powders and they tasted gross to me.

On a great note, I've dropped 4 clothing sizes, aches and pains have gone away and my pre-diabetes has reversed, so my struggles are worth it.

Congrats, that is awesome. The health benefits of the surgery will so be worth it.

Congrats, that is awesome.

Admittedly, I haven’t read through the whole post but got angry and hit reply. 

I also had a fusion. A 4 level cervical fusion plus cervical dystonia that has now advanced to the front of my neck and chin. Both my PCP and movement disorder neurologists were more than happily to sign off. They both said weight loss (specifically breasts not being so heavy & drawing my shoulders downward) could possibly help within symptom control. These puppies weigh me woman down! LOL ugh. 

I just had my revision sleeve to bypass literally just 5 DAYS ago and it couldn’t have went better. They do use the surgical robot though for these procedures. That’s the coolest thing ever. 

Also, to me, it sounds like your current PCP is a little lazy on top of it all. Is he an older doc? Like old school I mean? 

Seems Ike he’s asking you to do HIS homework work just so he can copy and paste what parts he would like to send to the insurance company.

Tell him you will if he pays YOU for that letter.

I saw him for my physical last week and he said when I get the o.k. from the neurosurgeon and now a hemotologist because I don't have a spleen and it causes my white count to be high that he will write my letter. The hemotologist said he didn't need to see me for that he will just send my surgeon for clearance. My neurosurgeon appt is on 9/29 so I hope I can get my surgery next month. My PCP tried to talk me out of it when I was there .I know what you mean about big breasts I passed a DD a long time ago. I may have to roll them up after surgery. loll I am glad your revision went well and you are on the road to recovery.