My Primary Doctor was PISSED

[Gina6682 8]

It is really shocking how little some primary care doctors know about the sleeve surgery. My original PCP still thinks that I had gastric bypass and was having issues with malabsorption and thought I couldn't take certain pills etc. and so wouldn't prescribe me antibiotics, etc. I tried to explain to him several times that I had had the sleeve surgery and not gastric bypass but it didn't seem to click. Finally I had to switch to another primary care doctor that understood.

I'm sure your PCP is a nice man but you are going to need someone who understands and empathizes with your surgery in case issues arise down the road.

[gamergirl 4,610]

I agree with those who say give him time to adjust, and do what you can to educate. My PCP is very nurturing and supportive and takes fantastic care of us, but she too balked at us planning surgery for Mexico. I see her tomorrow to level set.

She too is tiny and has no weight issues, but when we first approached her with the thought, she admitted freely that she is coming around to it as she sees how it is benefitting her patients. The nurse practitioner in the office has it and looks fabulous. But mainly the PCP is seeing people with comorbidities healing as the weight comes off, and she is starting to think that even with the small risks, it's better than the alternative. So time and education do help I think.

[Nursebarbie 392]

The lapband is not temporary. It causes a lot of damage to your stomach. Mine was just taken out and revised to a sleeve. As a nurse I can tell you that not all doctors are created equal. Do not feel bad about switching to another doctor you can have a good repoire with. Some just are so arrogant and narcissistic that they get all uppity when a patient has a different opinion. Lapband is one of the worst things in my opinion and I hope they remove it off the market. With such a high failure rate and high rate of complications I am surprised it hasn't already happened. You hang in there and don't be intimidated. He isn't God just a human being with some alphabet Soup after his name.

[Nursebarbie 392]

And who wants another " temporary" weight loss tactic? I want a permanent solution. And no thank you, I don't care to be fat again. Been there done that.

[minniexoxo 34]

I was wondering if anyone knows how to tell your primary dr? I have kaiser and they denied my surgery so I am paying for it myself. I have not told dr. Cause I am afraid they could cancel me. I think I should tell dr. Now and see if she will run tests for me but scared too. Any advise?

[Cheer Mama 166]

I would change docs. My doc is very supportive and excited for me.

[Bridget312001 70]

My GP confessed to having Lap Band Surgery when I first saw her after my VSG.

As for Vitamin and mineral deficits after having a VSG, I had low Vitamin B, D and severe anemia BEFORE I had my sleeve surgery. I was so tired all the time, I thought I had a serious underlying illness that hadnt been diagnosed.. Feeling so much better now that im taking Iron and vitamin supplements and these levels are being monitored by my VSG nutritionist and doc.

I believe there are a hell of a lot of the general public who have severe deficiencies in their vitamin/minerals who are never checked by their regular doctor. Apparently checking for vitamin deficiencies in blood isnt standard (at least at my regular doctors office). Ironically now that I am a "risk" for deficiencies I have been able to regulate and correct deficiencies I have had for many many years.

[Nursebarbie 392]

I work for kaiser and have kaiser insurance. Three ladies in my dept were all denied 3 times before they were approved. Keep filing appeals and call the number on your card. Ask for the bariatric case management dept so they can help you get approved.

[Sydney Susan 333]

I was wondering if anyone knows how to tell your primary dr? I have kaiser and they denied my surgery so I am paying for it myself. I have not told dr. Cause I am afraid they could cancel me. I think I should tell dr. Now and see if she will run tests for me but scared too. Any advise?

Minnie, why would your dr want to cancel you? Surely they couldn't anyway if you are self pay... But why do you feel your dr will see this as so inappropriate for you? I only ask because if that is your overriding fear, it may be something you need to look at in yourself.

Don't rush in to an irreversible op if you're unsure. Most of us have at least some time to delay surgery, even if we have significant health issues.

If u think your dr is unreasonable about WLS, might be time to change doctors. You will have to tell him/her some time, and it will come up from time to time in the years ahead. You need to be able to talk freely about it.

[moonlitestarbrite 902]

I had a lot of Vitamin deficiencies with my band due to it making me sick all the time. Just got my blood work back two months post op with sleeve and everything is great. People kill me with the permanency argument. I am 100 percent sure I will not wake up one day wishing I could go back to being morbidly obese and pre diabetic.

right? "gee i wish i could go back to eating enough food so that it will kill me, please." um, no.

[minniexoxo 34]

I am worried that kaiser would no longer serve me if I had complications from sleeve from a self pay. I am not doubting having surgery I have heard that kaiser could deny treating u if u had surgery sone where else. I am just scared thinking what if I come home after surgery and have complications and need medical assistance ASAP would kaiser stick me with a big bill or reject me. I was already denied surgery from kaiser cause all labs are borderline bad and my bmi is only 37 so they won't do surgery.

[Nursebarbie 392]

I have kaiser and my lapband was from another medical group 2 years ago. They not only paid to take out the slipped band but also the revision to the sleeve. Please call the number on the back of your card and ask for the benefits dept to ask about your policy.