Pity Party!
Well, I've followed-up with my Dr's office for the referral letter. Turns out that her receptionnist/secretary is on medical leave now. They have someone to replace her, but she only knows how to book appointments and take people to the examining rooms and that's about it. So now, who knows when my letter is going to be sent.....
Sorry guys, I am just so frustrated with this whole thing....
Sorry guys, I am just so frustrated with this whole thing....
Ok- you need to put your foot down my dear as this information you are being given is a lie.
I'm sorry but if your Dr. discovers that someone has a tumor and they need to be refered to a specialist- do you honestly think they are going to put this poor person on hold until the "real" secretary comes back from her medical leave?
The doctor refers patients to other doctors or surgeons- all the secretary has to do is fax it over. That is all it is!
If this "replacing" secretary can't fax a letter then maybe she needs to return to school! I saw my actual referal to Dr. S. My doctor wrote on her letter head some info about me and that was it!
Her secretary faxed it right away! This is all the secretary needed to do- fax it!
You need an appointment with your doctor. Call and schedule yourself for an appointment. Write a letter have him sign it and then fax it yourself- I have the fax number if you need it.
Screw the middle part and go to the source.
Sorry to sound so harsh but I feel bad for you. This is getting ridiculous! I don't know what kind of mickey mouse operation they are running over there but to tell you that no one can't get refered until the real secretary comes back dosn't even make sense! Do you know how many referals doctors make a day? To lung specialists, Gastro Specialist, Ears, Nose specialists?
Let me give you another option- go to a after hours clinic and try to get refered there! It's good to pity yourself sometimes but if you really want this then you need to hassle. It seems to me like whoever you are talking to is not taking this WLS thing seriously. When I wanted to be refered. I made an apt with my doctor. I told her I wanted to be refered to Dr. S and she said, excellent idea! She then wrote out my referal- gave it to her secretary and it was faxed that very same day!
GOOD LUCK
I'm sorry but if your Dr. discovers that someone has a tumor and they need to be refered to a specialist- do you honestly think they are going to put this poor person on hold until the "real" secretary comes back from her medical leave?
The doctor refers patients to other doctors or surgeons- all the secretary has to do is fax it over. That is all it is!
If this "replacing" secretary can't fax a letter then maybe she needs to return to school! I saw my actual referal to Dr. S. My doctor wrote on her letter head some info about me and that was it!
Her secretary faxed it right away! This is all the secretary needed to do- fax it!
You need an appointment with your doctor. Call and schedule yourself for an appointment. Write a letter have him sign it and then fax it yourself- I have the fax number if you need it.
Screw the middle part and go to the source.
Sorry to sound so harsh but I feel bad for you. This is getting ridiculous! I don't know what kind of mickey mouse operation they are running over there but to tell you that no one can't get refered until the real secretary comes back dosn't even make sense! Do you know how many referals doctors make a day? To lung specialists, Gastro Specialist, Ears, Nose specialists?
Let me give you another option- go to a after hours clinic and try to get refered there! It's good to pity yourself sometimes but if you really want this then you need to hassle. It seems to me like whoever you are talking to is not taking this WLS thing seriously. When I wanted to be refered. I made an apt with my doctor. I told her I wanted to be refered to Dr. S and she said, excellent idea! She then wrote out my referal- gave it to her secretary and it was faxed that very same day!
GOOD LUCK
Thanks for the boost!
I already have an appointment with the Doctor on Friday, the 21st.....I plan on discussing it with her at that point. I think I'm even going to draft up a letter myself and ask her to sign it right there so I can fax it.
After this is over, I'm changing Doctor's. I hate this...it takes her 6-8 weeks just to fill out insurance forms...
And while she's making me wait...Dr. S. is seeing tons of patients....
I'm going to look for a sample letter online and write one up.
I already have an appointment with the Doctor on Friday, the 21st.....I plan on discussing it with her at that point. I think I'm even going to draft up a letter myself and ask her to sign it right there so I can fax it.
After this is over, I'm changing Doctor's. I hate this...it takes her 6-8 weeks just to fill out insurance forms...
And while she's making me wait...Dr. S. is seeing tons of patients....
I'm going to look for a sample letter online and write one up.
I agree with ScarTears....If the receptionist doesn't know how to fax(what receptionist doesn't know how to fax???)...Just tell her to have the DR to write up the referral, and you can pick it up and fax it yourself. Any post office will fax for like $1.50.
It sounds to me, that she may be one of those people who are ignorant on the obesity topic, and sounds like a complete barrier in your process. But, on the other hand...you really have to be proactive, and stop taking "NO" for an answer. It is your health/life on the line, so don't be afraid to offend the new receptionist...she may just not understand the urgency of your request.
Amary
It sounds to me, that she may be one of those people who are ignorant on the obesity topic, and sounds like a complete barrier in your process. But, on the other hand...you really have to be proactive, and stop taking "NO" for an answer. It is your health/life on the line, so don't be afraid to offend the new receptionist...she may just not understand the urgency of your request.
Amary
Hey amary, haven't seen posting for a bit. welcome back.
Charline, I agree with amary, draft up a letter saying who you are. " I am referring to you Charline Mc, a .28?? year old, obese mother of XXX. " I have been refered a dozen times and the first line is always about the same. Sorry about the Obese but it is always there for me. I would then list your BMI, how long you have been overweight, say something about what you have truied to loose weight ( "has tried numerious calorie restricted diets"), the results ("with satisfactory weight loss followed by weight gain"), and list you co-morbitities. That should cover it. Keep the letter short and to the point. Doctors don't have time for reading or writting. My doctor had me write out my weight loss efforts and the result plus my exercise habits and attached it to the referral letter.
Charline, I agree with amary, draft up a letter saying who you are. " I am referring to you Charline Mc, a .28?? year old, obese mother of XXX. " I have been refered a dozen times and the first line is always about the same. Sorry about the Obese but it is always there for me. I would then list your BMI, how long you have been overweight, say something about what you have truied to loose weight ( "has tried numerious calorie restricted diets"), the results ("with satisfactory weight loss followed by weight gain"), and list you co-morbitities. That should cover it. Keep the letter short and to the point. Doctors don't have time for reading or writting. My doctor had me write out my weight loss efforts and the result plus my exercise habits and attached it to the referral letter.
. 
Good advice! Sounds to me like this doctor is not exactly on board with the whole WLS thing. Maybe he/she does not truly believe that Obesity is a disease and that WLS is a viable treatment for this disease. I tell you my family doctor was well on board and referred me not once but twice to Dr. Beau. I think you are very right in our comittment to seach for a new doctor. In the meantime as suggested, write your own letter, show up at the office and ask for the signature - fax it yourself. You do indeed have to take matters into your own hands, this is your life, your health and you are the only person who knows how hard it is to be you right now. Be proactive, demand what you need and don't leave until you have it in your hand. Then as you leave the office with your signed referral letter turn and say goodbye to this doctor because it is evident that this person does not have your best interests at heart.
Ann
Ann
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