questions about steps for surgery

Is it normal for my primary care physician to put me on a 1400 - 1800 calorie diet and have me document everything I eat and put me on drugs to lose weight? Or is he just screwing with me? And should I get a lawyer...hopefully one that will be pro bono/free or very, very cheap to persuade my dr. to write a letter of referrel? I've been documenting since Feb. 2006. And have been seeing dr. since March 2006.. went back to present dr because I wasn't impressed with the previous dr I had been seeing for 3 years. He also has me on Metformin to help lose the weight as well (since March.) I've only lost 1 - 2 lbs. in 1 - 2 months. My present dr. prescribed me more drugs (not amphedimines) cause they aren't happy about the lack of weight I'm losing. My whole life I've had a weight problem. Been on numerous diets- lost weight then gained all back and then some.

Most insurance companies want you to have been on a medically supervised weight loss program before you have the surgery. Having said that, Metformin is a diabeties drug why would they give you that to lose weight. I would look into a doc that will give you a referal to a weight loss surgeon and let the surgeon decide what type of program you need to be on since they are the ones that deal with the insurance company. Good luck on your journey and keep us informed. Wayne

I want to see a pcp dr that will refer me to a wls but don't know which one to go see since I have medicare and MO medicaid. I don't want to be screwed over. Already have a wls surgeon(s) in mind- Dr. J. Stephen Scott and/ or Dr. Roger de la Torre in Columbia. I looked into Dr. J. Chris Eagon but the waiting list was/ is very long to 2007....he's only 30 minutes away from where I live. My first choice is Lap - band surgery and my second choice is gastric bypass (RNY). I'm becoming frustrated and impatient....argh!

I really hate to be the one to tell you this, but since no one else has...Medicare has a new policy stating that the hospital where you have the surgery performed has to be a Center of Excellence. You may see some people speeking of a COE, this is what they mean. There aren't any hospitals in Missouri that accept medicare AND are Centers of Excellence at the moment but there will be soon. Some people here are waiting for Dr. Hornbostel in Sedalia to be certified. Find a doctor that will support your decision for weightloss surgery first and hopefully by the time you have that accomplished and you are ready, some place will be certified. Goood Luck, Lia