PCP Problem - Can anyone recommend in SW Florida Area.....

Hello Again I have a small problem with my PCP. Dr Park is not for or against this procedure, he says he has a number of patients that have done this and have achieved substantial weight loss and have diminished a number of their co-morbities as a result. But he does not like any medical procedure that involves changing how one digests food. So he gave me a script for Xentical, and says although he has seen result with this product as well, he again doesn't care for it because it prevents the body from digesting food properly and it also has a number of side effects including that people gain back all the weight - plus - when they stop taking this medication. To say the least I am totally confused and shocked. Great just what I want to do is start another diet that is destined to fail (that should help my self esteem and depression). Heck even my Mom who is concerned about surgery is not keen on the idea of me starting to take this pill. Bless her heart she is emailing me everything she can find out about this surgery, and is going to have a PHD in bariatrics surgery before long. So needless to say I would like a second opinion, I would like to find a doctor who can talk to me about MY HEALTH and weather or not I AM a good candidate for this procedure. If you know of any doctors in the SW Florida area that are familiar with Obesity and the co-morbities I would appreciate the referral. Thanks

Update: I've called my original PCP who was the one *****commended this surgery a couple of years ago, as crazy as it sounds this is one of the main reason's I left him; he suggested surgery and I took it as a failure instead of the life saving tool that I have learned that it is. Sometimes it takes a couple of years for one to realize that they need help. So it looks like I might have resolved my own problem.

Hi Barbie my name is Yvonne i am also wanting the wls surgery and i have done some research. the closes surgeon is the cleavland clinic in naples, dr lieberman has a good rep also there are other doctor there. i have not been yet. i also live in lehigh acres and would love to chat with someone going thru the same as me. may be we can go to information seminar together. please email

Good luck with that. I just got my first set of appointments with my new PCP (my old doctor retired a while back), the support meeting requirement, the orientation, and then the appointment with the surgeon- not in that order.

Thats kinda my issue I was having with my PCP. I finally got the nerve to say to my DR...{ & this was SOOOOOOO hard for me} "I need this life saving operation" .."If you dont give me a referral, I will take myself and my entire family of 5 & find a new doctor that will support MY decision to have this WLS" I kid you not..I had my pen in my hand saying I'm ready to sign the papers to get all out records transferred over to another DR..LMAO.. The look on this old mans face was PRICELESS. WE had been seeing him for a couple years now & I have NEVER been real happy w/ him, but after the WLS is over..WE are going to find a better PCP. ~ I went in there with a *****y attitude & was gonna get my way ~ It did feel pretty good to be so assertive for once in my life.

You guys are great It is so nice to know I'm not the only one going through this. I am so glad I found this board - You are my rock. I feel more powerful than I have felt in a long, long time. I attended a seminar in Pt. Charlotte last night it was terrific and I couldn't believe how many people are in the same boat I'm in. I can't tell you the confidence I have regained from this board and meeting people who have repeatedly tried and failed! I'm NOT ALONE, I'm NOT LAZY, I'm NOT CRAZY and I AM NOT A FAILURE! WHOOOO HOOO! There is a tool to help me get healthly and I need it, deserve it and will fight the good fight to get it done. Wish me luck Lehigh Barbie P.S. Yvonne I would love to talk with you. I'll drop you a line.