Primary Care Doctor

Hi all. I went for a physical recently and my primary care doctor isn't going to be any help with my plans for surgery. I need a primary care physicians help for 6 months (weigh in, etc) and I need one that will be supportive. Any suggestions? I live in Frederick, but am willing to drive almost anywhere to find a nice, caring and supportive doctor. Any help will be appreciated. Ann

How's Gaithersburg? My PCP is super supportive of bariatric surgery. Three of her patients have recently had it, plus a fourth is in the pre-op stage. She knows the routine of making the insurance company happy, and will put extensive notes into the (computerized!) medical chart. My surgeon's insurance coordinator took one look at the chart and immediately scheduled my surgery - she knew Aetna would approve rapidly with such clear documentation! My PCP is Pam Godwin, a nurse practitioner with Comprehensive Primary Care (there's also an MD and a DO in the practice). If you're interested, e-mail me for her contact info. Their office is on Shady Grove Rd just off I-270, so it's easy to get to from Frederick. I read your profile... if you're still looking for an alternate surgeon, Dr. Barry Greene operates at Shady Grove Adventist, which is the closest DC-area bariatric hospital for you. His office is in the same area. My PCP's other patients had their RNYs with Dr. Greene (I chose Dr. Harrington in Silver Spring instead) and are very happy with him.

Thanks for the information. I will definately be e-mailing you. Just need to find someone that will not fight me. I have enough ahead of me without having a witchy PCP to deal with as well! Have looked into Dr Greene and I will be going to one of his information sessions in August; have heard Harrington is good too. My husband's company was bought out and they are going through an insurance change tomorrow (cigna, don't know if it is PPO or what) so I need to wait a week or so until I get all my new medical information until I start making doctor's appointments. Thanks again, Ann

Pam Godwin and Dr.Cohen are my PCP's too! Pam is the one that insisted that I get this surgery done! She writes great referrals too! Mel..

Small world! Pam had never dealt with a bariatric patient before, and suddenly she has a bunch on her hands. She learned quickly... It's a 38-mile round-trip to her office and I'm happy to keep doing it. Ann, you can get the contact info from Cigna's online provider directory. Look for Konstantin Khludenev in Rockville MD (zip code 20850). He's the MD in the practice, and Mindi Cohen is the DO. Dr. Harrington's website is bariatriclife.net - the site looks truly awful! Maybe I'll offer to redesign it in exchange for a few canisters of Nectar. He operates at Holy Cross (Silver Spring) and Washington Adventist (Takoma Park).

I don't care for Dr.Khludenev . He seems to inexperienced. Pam and Cohen are great though. CPC 15825 SHADY GROVE RD. SUITE 140 ROCKVILLE MD 20850 301-869-9776 Poor Dr.B

I've yet to meet Dr. Khludenev - occasionally I hear him, but that's it. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I've met Dr. Cohen either. I started seeing Dr. B in 2000, and switched to Pam because she was more likely to be running on time (Dr. B was shuttling between Rockville and his geriatric practice at Leisure World). Last I heard, Dr. B was doing very well in physical rehab but probably won't be able to return full time to the practice. It would be fun if he could visit in a few months, and all the bariatric patients dropped by to show off! He'd be so pleased to see less of us.

Dr.B use to read me the riot act about my weight. Pam was more sympathetic -so I switched to her. She was elated that I decided to get the surgery. She referred me to Dr.Greene but I had problems with his policies so I switched to Kligman---I am glad I did. 2 more weeks!! Mel..

Hi Ann: If you are willing to drive to Baltimore, e-mail me privately and I will give you the name, address and phone number of my PCP. She is a saint for putting up with me for the past 15 years. Kasey 365/220/195

How cool to read all the folks who just LOVE Pam. I think I'm the 4th one you referred to in the pre-op stage. I have surgery on the 18th so will then be post op. She told me she had a couple others who had the surgeries with Dr. Greene and another doctor and that everyone is doing well. I've only seen Dr. Cohen once, and Dr. K once. I used to alternate between Dr. B & Pam, and after he was gone, just felt more comfortable with her. She's the best!