help finding decent sensitive pcp

Hi all, I live in Durham, NC and having a very hard time finding a caring sensative pcp who will not pass judgement on my weight problem. I am seriouly considering bariatric surgery. I am in the research stage at this time and looking for a little help. From what I understand I need a pcp who will be willing to refer me for the surgery. I have been a little traumatized by dr.s who just do not understand and will not listen to me. I have tried various exercise and diet programs that have only worked with minimal results. My BMI is about 53 - please help!

Living in Durham your lucky one of the worlds top program is available through Duke University. If you check out their website you can probably getmore info on a PCP more sensative to your liking.. Good Luck

Hello Rhonda. I expected my PCP to not be very supportive of my decision to have WLS but I was wrong. It took him about 2 visits to start to come around. In retrospect I think that he thought I wasnt serious about this. There are a lot of steps to getting approved for this surgery and I think he wasnt thrilled about jumping through the hoops with me only to have me decide against it. I was very determined to have this done and once he recognized that there have not been any problems. Eventually he shared with me his fear that I wouldnt follow through with the diet after surgery and that I would hurt myself. I know what he means as I have seen several patients who have just had WLS eating at Bojangles or some other place and being so sick... and mad that they cant enjoy their former lifestyle anymore. Its a major decision that requires a committment to change your lifestyle forever and unfortunately it seems about 5 to 10% of those who have WLS dont take it seriously. Basically I won my PCP over by researching WLS and knowing everything I could about it before I went to see him. You need to be able to reassure your PCP that you are in this for the long haul and its not the latest thing in a series of "fads" that you are wanting to try. I tried a lot of things before coming to this decision. You should go to meet with your surgeon if you have one and set up a time for the seminar if they offer it. Go ahead and have the psych evaluation maybe and THEN go see your PCP. This will show him that you are serious about this. Also I would go with the person who has been seeing you the longest as they know your history better than someone else. Sorry for my ramble. I hope this makes sense. Take care.

Hey Rhonda--being that you are in Durham---I am not sure where you are considering sugery at---But of course Duke is there and most prominent! If I was you--I would look within the Duke community--for a PCP and they are probably more than willing to support you in your endeavors--Or any Doc affiliated with Durham Regional which is the same thing in essesnce--If you are looking for sugery elsewhere--contact their office and see if they have any recommendations on a PCP! IT will all turn out well in the long run! Lisa 3/15/05 Dr.Grant/Duke Weight Loss Surgery Center 338.5/169/?