Approved for surgery without a PCP?

[MzGee 65]

Has anyone ever gotten approved for WLS without having a primary care physician ? I am currently in between PCP's my last did not support WLS and now I'm looking for a new one, it seems like the WLS institute is really pushing me to get a PCP to write a letter for me, but I already has medical proof and a registered dietitian who I did the 6months diet with for insurance purposes. Please let me know your experience... Thanks

[Calimomof3 20]

My dr. required a letter from the PCP but she just wrote it based on another doctor (my cardiologist) stating medical clearance was given although I am an intermediate risk for the surgery.

[MzGee 65]

I taken off so much from work going to the doctor it's ridiculous and now more appointments to follow

[KayleeC14 159]

Coming from somebody who works for a PCP it is great to have one because after your follow-up visits with your surgeon after surgery your PCP will be doing the rest. I know it sounds ridiculous to have a PCP established, but in the long run the weight loss institute is looking out for you well being. My insurance required me to have a PCP established but no letter. I already had mine write a letter anyways to the doctor at the weigh loss clinic stating I need this just a precautionary measure.

[marfar7 1,533]

I only know about Medicare (I'm only 46 but disabled, so I'm on Medicare and the VA system). I had no PC to refer me. Looked online for a WLS clinic, emailed, made an appt for seminar, went, got my lapband (I'm 10 mths post op sleeve revision) about 3 weeks later.

I guess I could have gotten my PC at the VA clinic I went to to refer me, I just didn't.

Not sure how other insurances work. Ull hafta ask ur WLS clinic what the insurance and clinics requirements are.

Good luck!

[Jersrose43 837]

My insurance required a letter from a doctor that was not the surgeon and providing medical clearance

I my case it was the pcp