I have deceided to have the lap band surgery and the only problem I see on the horizon is my PCP referral!! I have had the same PCP for almost 14 years and when I discussed it with him he shut me down instantly...he wants me to go on a diet for the 25th time or better yet he also stated that he himself trained for a marathon and he knows how to get some one to loose weight (now keep in mind i have been on every diet know to man including starvation and also have a degenerative problem with my knee which i already had surgery on last year and my surgeon basically said loose weight or dont walk) at that point I hung up with him and cried! I know he wont give me the referral I need and I am at my wits end. I spoke to the surgeon (lap band) office and they suggested I get another doctor to write me a letter. Which means I will have to find another PCP...I have a few questions that hopefully someone will be able to assist me with:

1. Should I tell the new PCP up front about the lap band surgery and the need for the letter of referral?

2. Does anyone have any suggestions of PCP's in NYC?

Thanks:smile2:

so like when are getting a new PCP? yesterday, I hope! i will be changing my PCP too, not because I want to but because I ned a surgeon out of his group. You are in charge of your body, not your doctor. When you choose a new PCP by all means interview her/him and see what her/his views are ont his kind of surgery. You have the right to shop around. Good Luck!

Thanks...I plan on calling around tomorrow morning when i get to work! Before all of this I was by no means happy with my PCP so I guess this was the last straw.

Just an idea but, have you thought of asking the clinic/surgeon where you plan to have the surgery done to recommend a PCP

DianaT