Worried I am Wasting Time- help me with timeline?

I am afraid I have gone about this the wrong way... I have been going to my PCP for 4 of the 6 months my insurance requires. In my check-up with her yesterday, she informs me that it is unusual that I have come to her first, and that I don't have a surgeon lined up by now. She said that her previous patients have gone through the psych tests, cardio/stress tests, and alike PRIOR to seeking her 6-month documentation. I am still trying to find and meet with a Dr. to do the surgery- am I wasting her/my time? Also, how thick was your file to be submitted to insurance before having the surgery? I am also afraid she hasn't taken adequate notes... She is a new Dr. to me, not much prior history...

Well, usually someone has been thinking about surgery for a long while and has had a PCP in which they have discussed having weight loss methods. Usually when they are ready to have surgery then they go see a surgeon and follow the recommended tests that the surgeon's office requests to comply with insurance. Since your PCP is also new..it really doesn't matter or there is no wrong way to do anything. I had been 6 years with my current PCP before I even re-thought about surgery. Then when I decided to have surgery I found my surgeon and followed their guidelines. It seemed to help me that I had a good long medical history when I went to the meet with my surgeon's office. Most insurance do ask for at least 5 years of history so that you're seeing someone before your surgeon isn't that uncommon. You may need to request your medical records from your previous PCP so that your current PCP has valuable medical information on you. As far as the thickness of insurance - no one really sees those records...it's really up to your surgeon's office to get most of the information - that is their job. I would start getting your previous medical records to your current PCP so that she can view your previous medical history and get to know more medically. 2nd get information on surgery and your surgeon and then follow their recommendations. When I went to my surgeon's office...I didn't have to do anything but 2 letters and a stress test. The insurance coordinator did everything else (contacting my PCP and getting all necessary medical information). Good luck to you! Hugs, Ruthy

I somewhat disagree...I think you have a good start. Many people see surgeons and get all the tests done only to find out their insurance requires 6 months supervised diet and they get upset that they have to wait another 6 months for surgery. You are only 4 months into this...I'm sure as soon as you find a surgeon, they are going to say well you know you need 6 months supervised and you can proudly say...I have already completed 4...and move on to the rest of the requirements. I know some people turn to their PCP for referrals to WLS surgeons but others, as I did research and find their own. Just make sure by asking you insurance company what they want in the notes, from what I hear it's monthly visit, weigh in, discussion of diet and exercise program...documentation, documentation, documentation. Keep a food journal for her, exercise log...

well I think she should at least have your weight recorded for the past months of visits. Dont get discouraged it will all work out.

I think you are doing the right thing....I just saw my surgeon for the first time today and I am starting on month 3 of my 6 month supervised diet with my PCP. Make sure that you PCP is recording your weight, your behavior modifications (not eating after 8pm, eating in the kitchen and not in front of the TV...etc), and how many calories and how much exercise you are getting in.....I am hoping that by the time my 6 month diet is over I will have everything in place and my medical records can be sent into the insurance company and I will get approved.... I would ask for copies of your medical records for the last couple of months...see what your PCP has written down...I would suggest at this point you need to pick a surgeon and see him/her.

I am in the same boat as you. I have just completed the 5th of the 6mo PCP supervised diet required by my insurance. It sounds like you are right on track. Maybe it is my OCD kicking in, but I found it helpful to put together a binder w/insurance info (copies of their WLS coverage w/codes), PCP info (her weightloss notes, copy of the letter of med necessity), Labs & Study's, and my surgeons section with all of his requirements. I'm meeting w/the nutritionist and having the psych eval next week. ***One very important word of advise. Ask for copies of your doctors weight management notes. A few of the entries had only listed the medications that my doctor had prescribed, but she had omitted any mention the diet/exercise plan we had discussed. My PCP was glad that I brought that to her attention and I now don't have to worry about being denied because the notes are missing vital info. Good luck with your journey!!

I think that your doctor is giving you some good advice, you need to find a surgeon and start working through their program. This way, while you are doing your six month diet requirement, you can also be doing your other testing. There is also a possiblility that for one reason or another, you are not a good candidate for the surgery, and it would be nice to know that before you complete your six month diet. My suggestion is to keep your pcp visits, but find a surgeon and start working from that side too. It will probably take you a couple of months to get through all of your testing, you might as well start it now, instead of waiting until you are through with your diet. Good luck, Steve

Hey.. have you considered Dr Jawad in Ocala? www.jawadmd.com he rocks and is well worth the drive. I drove from tallahassee to ocala 3.5 hours to get there. You could shoot right up 75 and it would only be like a little more than 2 maybe. I had an arsenol.. I would find a surgeon.. often times the PCP has NO clue. Who is your insurance? Just make the appointment with the surgeon for the consult and then tell her you have it. I made the appointment and then lined up the psych eval and everything I felt I wanted (i had more say in the preop testing then my doc did) I made sure every body system was a go b4 I would lay down on any operating table for such surgery. BUT many of the people just make the consult with the surgeon and THEN get started with the 6 month diet etc. I think ur pcp is draggin ya through the mudd.. but again i dont know what ur insurance is so therefore I cant comment too much. Heather 411/389/220/189 4/27/05

Thanks all! I have contacted Dr. Murr's office to get in for the consult and talked with PCP about other lab tests to be done. I guess I needed to hear that I was on the right track! Thanks for all your advice- I appreciate all the words of wisdom from the "vets"!

Call dr muir tampa general. You will get susan. She will explain everything