I need a New PCP!!

I live in tampa and i need a pcp! the one i been going to for most of my life told me he does not belive in WLS and i stiop eating i wont have this problem. Sombody please help, any suggestions??

Your PCP is right, of course.  If you stopped eating, you wouldn't need WLS.  Does your doctor have any idea how on EARTH you might accomplish this statistically impossible task??? I'm so very sorry you have to find another doctor, but maybe it's for the best.  Your PCP gave you easy preaching, but hard living!  It's maybe a good thing that you will find a doctor who understands that if you could push yourself away from the table, you would have done that!  Perhaps your surgeon knows of a few good PCPs?

I can recommend two very GOOD doctors who are pro-WLS, but they are both in Pinellas County.  One is Dr. Greg Silver and his P.A. Gail Dobransky in Clearwater (Belcher Rd., just S of Sunset Point) - that's who sent me to my surgeon, and the other is Dr. Dorothy Christman in Palm Harbor (Alt. 19 just S. of Alderman). Best of luck to you!   ~ Terri

Wow! I should have KNOWN to ask you this question Terri!  I need a new primary too. I like mine but she is just WAAAAY too busy and keeps you waiting EVERY single time AT LEAST 2 hours and sometimes 3.  So after I finished up with my 6 month supervised diet with her, I decided that after surgery and I'm feeling better I am going to find a new PCP. I'll have to check out the ones you mentioned.  I know that many PCP's are not taking new patients. That's why I ended up with the one I have. She was the only one I called who would take new people. I guess maybe she should be learning to say no too.  But I'll check these ones out.  Thank you from me too!   Hugs, Marianne C.

Hey there girlfriend! Both are FINE doctors - I personally have been a patient of Gail's (the PA at Dr. Silver's office) for over 10 years.  I am not crazy about their staff of late lately.  I don't know - maybe I expect too much from a doctor's entire staff but when I need refills and such, they are slow to respond, and then try to blame my pharmacy - and I've switched pharmacies a couple times, and they always have the same excuse.  I am actually going to switch to Dr. Christman when I need my well woman check next month.  She is my daughter's doctor and Greg's doctor as well - I have met her several times and I just LOVE her to death!  She went to medical school a little later in life, so she has practical life experience under her belt.  She is around our age and "gets" it if you know what I mean.  She is the one who showed lots of concern when Greg initially went to the doctor with a "sore throat" - she is also the one who completely reassured him that while he had a rough road to tow, that he would ABSOLUTELY BE FINE.  She's awesome!  She's also about 15 minutes further north than Gail and Dr. Silver.  Her number is 727-787-5200.  She is very WLS friendly - my eldest daughter is going through the process of all the testing, and Dr. Christman is her doctor - that's how Greg and I heard about her.  Anyway, of the two, that's the office I would strongly recommend.  Both are good though, if you can get past Silver's staff.   You are really counting down the days now!  Look at you!!! Wooo Hoooo!!!  This time next week, you'll be in a regular room, anxiously waiting to go home the following day!!!  I will probably make it up there some time on Wednesday to check in on you - gotta make sure they're treating my pal okay there!!   If you need anything, give me a call.  Talked very briefly to Julie.  No support group meeting Saturday, but she said to pass the word that, "SHE IS DEFINITELY GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THEM!!"  With her new job and everything it's just been a bit difficult over the past two weeks.  She's definitely onboard though!   So I will see you on Wednesday ON THE OTHER SIDE!  Give me a call if you would like to chat before hand!! See you soon!!!!   ~ Terri

I would recommend Dr.Nicolas Pavouris in Tarpon Springs just across the street from Helen Ellis Hospital. 727-942-8900 He takes many different Insurances and is taking Bariatric Courses now. He is VERY WLS Friendly and is looking for a Surgeon who would be interested in doing WLS at the Helen Ellis Hospital. But also search above in the OTHER PROFESSIONALS section for Primary Doctors who are WLS Friendly in Tampa. Do you have Insurance? If so that may be a factor on what PCP you can go to also..