Need a PCP in Southern Illinois... Help!

I haven't been to a PCP in years. Now I need one who is understanding and willing to reccommend WLS for me... any suggestions? I live in Southern Illinois and would like to have a doctor close to me. Thanks for your help!!!!

Hi Kari! Im Zeigler,and unless you have been going to a doc for a bit some are not so willing.Have you been supervised on any diets?Boy are you going to have a hard way to go since you havent been to a PCP in yrs.Ihad a PCp but he was just a resident and last month on the 30 was his last day.Sorry im not going to be much help..

Kari I sort of had the same problem, as I just moved to IL and had not seen my PCP in 3 years. I thought I was going to have a problem, but went to my PCP in WI yesterday (the one I haven't seen in 3 years) and she recommended the surgery without a hitch. I think the key for her was understanding how I came to this decision (I scheduled the appt letting the receptionist know EXACTLY why I was coming in) how much research I've done...and never forget...the almighty BMI. I think no matter what, you have to look at it this way, and tell your Dr (whomever that may be) if you had appendicitis, would your Dr hesitate to recommend you to have your appendix removed? I doubt it, no matter how little he/she knew you. I also found that my insurance has a website with PCPs listed to choose from. They generally have a little blurb and some specialty info there too...maybe you could look there? Sorry I'm not familiar with Southern IL to recommend anyone, but I wish you the best of luck in your search Anne

I had not been to any Dr in 10 yrs before I started thinking of having wls. I knew I needed a primary care Dr to recommend it so I went to the message board and also looked up members profiles who lived near me! I emailed them asking if there Dr was wls friendly! Well one gal gave me her Dr's name ect..who had referred lots of patients for wls! Well on my first or second visit she wrote me a letter! Dr Thompson is still my primary Dr even tho I finally had wls 15mths ago, have lost 125lbs, am as healthy as a fiddle! So my advice is look at profiles from people near your area, email them and ask! Good luck! See ya lighter! Cyndi

I did go to a dr. who had me take diet pills for at least a year and a half. He did this about two years ago. Will I need a more recent diet history? I am going to try and get hime to write a referral on Thursday - wish me luck everyone!! He's kind old and probably not very up-to-date on WLS...