How do I bring up WlS to PCP?

I have an app on  Oct 4th, and I need to bring it up to her. I dont think she will have a problem with it. But I need to make sure she words everything right. Is there a certain way they have to do it or do I need to get something from BC/Bs of il?

Well the way i brought it up was i told my pcp that i was tired of being overweight and that i have thought about WLS. then we tried diet pils and such and then she gave me a letter to go to a WLS dr. but only after the pill's didn't work.

Melissa, Call your insurance first. Ask them to send you the qualifications for having weight loss surgery. Then ask them if a weight loss program is a requirement and for how long. I'm sure there is, so also ask if it can be with your physician or do they have a special center they prefer their members to go to. If your physician is ok, ask what specifically needs to be included in the doctors notes and what frequency the office visits are to be. Once you have all this information, you will be better equipped for your discussion with your doctor. Don't expect him/her to know what is expected for your insurance. They deal with many, many insurance companies every day and no two have the same requirements. In fact, each company who has a contract with the same insurance may have different coverage allowances for their employees. When I brought up the WLS discussion with my pcp, I just pointed out all my co-morbidities and then said 'all this will get better with weight loss, right?' After he said 'yes', I said,' then which bariatric surgeon would you recommend? ' How could he argue with me having done the one thing he just said would help me? Good luck with everything... Sherri

I saw on the main OH page about letters to the PCP and Insurance companies.  You can use the sample letter and tailor it to your own needs, and then share the information with your pcp. Here is the link. http://www.obesityhelp.com/content/lettertopcp.html I was fortunate enough to not have to need it, but there are so many different suggestions, that anything may help out! Good luck with your pcp!

thanks you guys. this is a big help.

I'm glad that you're making an appointment to discuss your weight loss goals with your PCP.  I agree with all the above comments, and the letter might be a good idea if you're nervous or uncomfortable talking about it.  Sometimes, people bring up their weight concerns as an afterthought ("while I'm here about my cough, let me ask you about my weight").  This leaves very little time for a thorough discussion of what is likely your most important health concern.  I believe this is one reason it's hard to get all the "medically supervised weight loss" documentation required by some insurance companies.  Some people believe that if they go to their doctor for some other problem, that the doctor would also be making notes about their weight loss efforts ... not necessarily.  Some do, some don't, and there's lots of different reasons for that.  But making an appointment specifically to discuss obesity and any co-morbidities is a guaranteed way of getting the proper documentation, and attention, that the problem deserves.  Good luck!

i called and made a appt. for a referal for wls--i went in and discussede my ideas with him and he wrote me a referal-and all it said was please evaluate melissa for baratric surgery and listed my medical issues high blood pressure high cholestrol it was as simple as that ---and i took that with me the day of my consultaion-----good luck ogh yea how u been? im still not feeling well go figure it has to start getting better soon id imagine geesh