How to talk to your PCP?

[learned2bskinny 81]

Hi everyone. Now that I'm a week post-op and feeling MUCH better...I am beginning to wonder. How am I going to tell my PCP that I had this operation, and in Mexico, no less. Understand, I love my PCP, but she is young, thin and believes you should just suck it up and eat right and excersize. I had asked her for some weight loss meds last year, just to "help," and she was totally against it. I chose the WLS because nothing else worked. You all understand. Now I'm wondering how to approach her. I really like her, otherwise I would change docs. Any thoughts? Thanks.

And G_d bless Dr. A!!!

[Ruthi 60]

Just tell her, she is a doctor and is very aware that many many many people go to other countries for treatment and surgery that is unavailable and unaffordable here. It should not come as any surprise to her. As to any comment she should have about having the surgery in lieu of diet and excercise, My comment to the doctors has been that unless you have had my experiences, you can not judge me or what my body can or cannot do. I also add that what is done is done. End of the discussion. If she is any type of professional at all, it wont be an issue.

[*susan* 1,709]

I agree with Ruthi, not much she can do about it now, you have already had the surgery. Hopefully she will recognize that and do her best to help you achieve your goals now.

It is sad that a doctor isn't sympathetic to how truly difficult it is for obese people to lose weight. Perhaps she should attend a couple of weight loss support groups just to get a better understanding of what her patients go through.

[Malaika 50]

I agree with Ruthi too. Plus you are the Patient - you are PAYING here to take care of you and give you medical attention -- she took an oath to do that - and the oath didn't say she'd do it only if she agreed with your choices. And I sure as heck wouldn't go in there with my head hung low - I'd go in with it held high and look her right in the eye when you tell her what you did and where -- and ask her if she has a problem upholding her oath and providing you with continued medical care. If she says yes, then you ask her for a reveral to a doctor who isn't so biased against overweight people.

I talked to my PCP before I had the surgery and he was all for it - interested in learning more about it - I have an appt. with him in August (thought it was this week darn it). And he didn't judge me for going to Mexico to have it performed -- could be that because he's orginally from India.

[TennJenn 9]

I agree with the others, just tell her & of course give her all the papers and x-rays you have from the surgery. I talked with my PCP about WLS before having it...once over a year ago & once about 3 months before my surgery. She wasn't really against it, but she wasn't thrilled either. At the latter visit, I simply told her that I had done my research & chosen the VSG and that I'd be going to Mexico to have the surgery. She questioned me a little about the surgeon (his stats, why I didn't chose a US surgeon & how I found out about Dr. A). I plainly asked if she would be willing to help with any follow up care I might need (labs, etc). She said she would be glad to...just let her know what needed to be checked & what was the best way to code it so my insurance company would cover it.

6 days post op, I went in for a visit to get a new bp med script. & I took all my "goodies" from Dr. A with me. I showed them all to her & we discussed it a bit. She checked my incisions & looked at the x-rays (she was fascinated by the leak test x-rays!). She said the surgery report looked great & I looked great, so all is well. I made my appointment for labs at 3 months post-op. All I have to do is fax her a list of the labs I need drawn prior to my appointment & no problem.

Go in to your appt. confident. Remember that YOU are the one that ultimately makes your healthcare decisions. If you feel that she will not be helpful or makes you feel uncomfortable in anyway b/c of the surgery, I am sure you can find a well qualified PCP who will offer you the best care. It's your choice of PCP...you are the boss!

Good luck. Be sure to let us know how it goes.

[Ruthi 60]

I personally feel that when we stop putting physicians on a pedistal then our relationships with them as consumers will be alot better and patients can be more honest. Alot of information patients give the doctors is either a total lie or embellished due to fear of being judged. Fact is, they should be the ones that fear us, we are, like the statement above, the boss, we are in charge. There are other doctors out there and they could lose a paying patient. imho Doctors are just people and many no more educated than we are, they are just in another field. If they needed a building demolished, they would be coming to me. That when I choose to bow to them. Keep the ball in your court.

[Chancie 65]

I agree with the others....and if she isn't going to be supportive... I would change docs. Just my opinion:blush:

I was lucky... My PCP had weight loss surgury... and he is the one that helped direct me to my surgen. I see both.. My surgen and my PCP... and my last visit with my PCP was WONDERFUL! He is so supportive and encouraging, and thats important going thru all of this.

I hope things work out for you... keep us posted!!

[ardita 0]

My pcp sounds like yours-young, thin, not in to WLS. We are new to the area so had only seen her twice and when I gave her a heads up I was "considering" WLS, she was opposed to it. Next time I saw her, it was a done deal. I felt a little sheepish but it is my life, my boidy and she is there to help me take care of it. She handled it well. You could start by requesting copies of any testing/medical records related to your WLS be sent to her.

[Ruthi 60]

Any physician worth his or her salt wont say anything negative to you. I saw my PCP and band removal surgeon last week. Both were entirely supportive. The surgeon who removed my lap band and did the partial sleeve said that my surgeon in Mexico was an excellent surgeon (he saw my xrays and results of my recent barium swollow and lab work) He is the chief of surgery for the VA Greater Los Angeles Medical Services and an extremely good surgeon in his own right. When your surgery has been done, it becomes futile for him or her to say anything negative in lieu of supporting and treating you accordingly.

[learned2bskinny 81]

Okay, so I just got back from my PCP appt. Actually, I saw the PA. I needed to get something for the nausea. I had no trouble telling her my sleeve story. She was very receptive. The only negative thing she said was voicing concern about having had it done in Mexico. She wondered who would have "jumped in" here in the states is something had gone wrong, like if I got a leak. She said a lot of surgeons here wouldnt touch me if my surgery was done outside the states. But nothing did happen, thank goodness, and she was very interested in the procedure and how Ive been doing since. She prescribed zofran for the nausea and told me to keep in touch with her. I feel much better now. Thanks for all your advice.

[Tiffykins 673]

Okay, so I just got back from my PCP appt. Actually, I saw the PA. I needed to get something for the nausea. I had no trouble telling her my sleeve story. She was very receptive. The only negative thing she said was voicing concern about having had it done in Mexico. She wondered who would have "jumped in" here in the states is something had gone wrong, like if I got a leak. She said a lot of surgeons here wouldnt touch me if my surgery was done outside the states. But nothing did happen, thank goodness, and she was very interested in the procedure and how Ive been doing since. She prescribed zofran for the nausea and told me to keep in touch with her. I feel much better now. Thanks for all your advice.

I am so glad you were able to get a RX for the nausea. I hope the Zofran works as well for you as it has for me. I'm really glad the appointment went well for you.

[*susan* 1,709]

Zofran is good stuff, hopefully it will have you feeling better in no time at all.