Primary Care Dr. Supportive?

[Laceyloveland 21]

I have an appointment with my pcp tomorrow to discuss WLS and I need his support. Has anyone had any good or bad experiences to share? I'm afraid of him telling me to just go on another diet! I don't think I could take it!

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Actually, I was open and upfront with my PCP. I told him I was thinking about going to Mexico for a wls and he knew that I had been struggling with my weight, I was right on the border and my blood work was coming back just making the diagnoses of diabetes. I told him that I had been told by a wls place that Kaiser does refer for wls. I qualified with my BMI being low with a comorbidity. It might of helped with me being a mental health professional.

[Laceyloveland 21]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Also, it may help that I am physician & surgeon. I just need to think positively!

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Just know that it's ok to ask for what you need, or else you won't get it. You can do this! Plus, you have a bonus of being educated in this field and you know the pro's and con's of wls. You will have no problems with getting a PCP to refer you. Let me know how it goes.

[Squisha 99]

I actually had a pcp and obgyn suggest wls. But the insurance i had at the time wouldn't cover it. I started seeing a new pcp in October and had already been to an info secession with the doctor that did my surgery. So during my initial visit i told her i was looking into the surgery and would need approval. She asked me some question and had a few more at my next appointment but that was it. I recently saw another doctor in the practice and she stayed in with me for 30min asking all about my surgery and who performed it. I was the 1st patient wls she had seen and she was amazed by the weight i had lost after only 10 weeks.

[erp 2,016]

thank you for asking that! i go to a new PCP on wednesday and an so nervous that the PCP will create hurdles rather than clear them out of my way. I have an *** so have to get a referral.

[Shape_Shifter 83]

I've been with my PCP for 17 years. He is always ready to give free samples and only charges $35 per visit (we had no insurance). Tried various methods for weight loss surgery. However, when I was having problems with my feet and ended up doing laser surgery I hadn't seen him until afterwards. I could see the disappointment in his face like I had wasted my money and should have seen him first (BTW up until i started wearing heels again it was the best medical decision I made).

I am a low BMI. I've made this decision after doing a lot of research and talking with a friend who has been through WLS (not sleeve). I fail at every diet I've ever done. I know once I do this I can't go back. I know the complications. Bottom line, I'm not asking. Not him, not my husband, not the 4 nurses in my family.

I will see PCP before going just to update him incase of emergency and get prescriptions filled, etc. before leaving. I do not think he would be supportive. But he has also seen me baloon 60 lbs in 17 years, so maybe he would be supportive. Not taking the chance.

[Laceyloveland 21]

Well, primary care was 100% supportive! Yeah! I worried for no reason. He actually helped start the bariatric center and his sister is the head nutritionist. I couldn't be happier! Best of luck with everyone's doctor. My suggestion is... If they are not supportive consider changing to one who is. I am a physician myself, and I feel its really important to have a good rapport w ur doctor. That being said, it would have been hard for me if he had told me to try another diet. And it would have been difficult to change drs. But honestly I would have. It's that important!

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Good job! If your PCP had told you to try a new diet, you would have went to another PCP no matter how difficult it was for you. I love asking for what I need!

[Devon 15]

My PCP called me in after labs and said what the heck are you doing. My numbers were horrible mostly weight related. After I told her of my plan to take the weight off, she was on board.

[Bmarion662 76]

_{Hi Devon, I am also going to my PCP who is really not supportive. I am on the roller coaster for the insurance. I have to complete a 6 month diet and exercise program. Lost 7 lbs in 5 weeks. Dr. said it was not enough. However my insurance requires a minimum of 35.0 BMI with Comorbities. I have type two diabetes and rhuematoid arthritus. I am struggling with the fact that the PCP is pushing me to loose 15 to 20 lbs a month. Hello if I could do that I would not be asking for the surgery. I have been hovering around the 40 BMI mark for a minimum of 12 years. YO YO dieting it is rediculous and very tired of the struggle.}

[Laceyloveland 21]

Bmarion, sounds like ur pcp doesn't really "get it". Have u considered asking ur surgeon to refer u to someone else that they know is more supportive? I bet it would make this difficult part of the journey easier. And best of luck with ur insurance. I wish mine paid for it, but I am grateful there are less "hoops" with cash pay. Thoughts and prayers with u.

[Banned member 320]

I'm going in on Friday to get my referral. I don't think I will have problems but I'm still ready for a battle lol

[Laceyloveland 21]

Minkywinks, I hope it is a breeze! And that u r pleasantly surprised. Good luck and let us know how it went!

[Bmarion662 76]

Yes I have considered going to a different Dr., I am 6 weeks into my physical and diet evaluation and would have to weigh in again and start at a lower BMI. I am pushing the BMI limit now. Required to loose 10% of body weight. That is 21lbs and I would still need the 2 week liquid diet that will cause me to loose at minimum 10 more. Which would put me at 183. The BMI hits 35 at 185. I have to be very careful with the weight loss on the 6 months diet.