PCP against WLS

I had an appointment today with my PCP and he had to leave, so I had to see the PA. She asked me about the surgery and how much I lost. (She needed to loose also) I had heard from other patients that she was against the WLS surgery. She commented that she was afraid to have it done. I was saying to her I would be afraid to but I had faith in my Dr. and what a good job he does....and she put her hand up as if to shush me. She did not trust any Dr. to do it because it is dangerous...period. I didn't know what to think....I guess I saw first hand that she was against it. I will leave the office if I have to see her again. Cory

Cory, how infuriating that must have been! I hate when people act like that...I mean, there you were-a living breathing example of a successful surgery, and still they doubt! When people say to me, "Oh that surgery is so dangerous..." my reply is usually, "Yeah- and so is living with 140 pounds of extra weight, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc..." I don't blame you-I would leave before I saw her again. Sheila

I think her shushing me would have sent me over the edge. She needs to go back to school and learn about WLS. The NIH recommends it, for goodness sake. There is nothing worse than an uneducated medical professional. Jeanie, R.N.

I know exactly how you feel. My PCP was all for the surgery and very excited for me and said that he had several patients who had the surgery and they were all doing great. I then had to do my 26 weeks of supervised wl for ins. approval and my doc. went out on medical leave and I was forced to see the PA once a month for 6 months. It was one of the worst experiences I have ever been through. He is also against the surgery (one of those people who have never had a weight problem so he just couldn't understand why I just couldn't lose the weight myself. And would often tell me how much the ins. co. was going to have to spend for the surgery, etc. Praise God that my doctor came back for my last appointment and was able to write the approval letter for the insurance co. It's been over a year and I refuse to see or talk to the PA, but I love my PCP to much to leave, so I just insist on seeing the doc. Ignorant people are just so Mary

Hi Cory, My primary was dead set against me having surgery but not his PA who was the one providing my care for the last 3 yrs. The PA did my letter and tests and held my hand through all the waiting. The primary told me I looked fine...but he never asked me how I felt though he had my files in front of him. I learned not to let anyone else's negativity get in my way and shushing me would have made me walk. I remember that visit so well..I had been going to that office over a year and never been seen by the primary. One day he just shows up after I had requested a referral for baratric surgery. He tried to me on my hair, clothes and jewelry but never got to the real issue of my abrupt weight gain of nearly 85 lbs in less than a year...how in the world could that be okay? By the end of the visit he write for me to have a consultation but didn't offer me any support but his PA was just wonderful and I thank him every time I see him. When I saw him 3 months ago he was so thrilled to see I was down in weight and just kept saying I made the right decision. I agreed.