suggestions for a PCP who is knowlegable about WLS?

My PCP, who was very supportive of my quest for WLS, has moved back to Canada.  I need to select a new PCP as soon as possible, in order to get a new referral (per my insurance requirements) due to the change in Dr.  Can anyone recommend a  Dr in the Milford or Manchester area who is knowlegable  and supportive of WLS?  I'd like to be sure I don't run into problems with a new Dr.  I had someone I was going to apply to, but as it turns out he is retiring.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thanks!

I have Dr. Stewart Richmond with Hitch**** Clinic in Manchester.  He is older and probably going to retire within the next couple of years, but he was very supportive of my decision to have WLS.  Hitch**** Clinic, I think, has their own WLS program - not that they'd make you do theirs, but that the culture at the clinic is probably supportive of WLS in general for qualified individuals.  So you could probably find a PCP there, even if it's not Dr. Richmond, who would be willing to help you out.

Hi There-
I don't know this woman personally or professionally, BUT I have heard really good things about her from a friend of mine who is a Nurse Practitioner and 8 years post Gastric Bypass.
( a pretty knowledgeable referral and a picky patient herself- she wouldn't just go to anyone!)
The practice is Landmark Family Practice in Londonderry and the ARNP is Joan Romboli. She actually has had Gastric Bypass herself and totally "gets it" from what my friend says. I actually have considered switching myself.
Good Luck in your search!
Carolyn

I go to the Medical Group of Manchester which is on the bedford/Manchester line right behind the Bedford Hannaford.  They are the group that actually houses the Obesity Treatment Center.  My Dr. is Dr. Keith Stahl but he is not taking new patients (too bad because he is EXCELLENT).  I have met most of the docs there and they all are really quite good.  I especially liked Dr. Leblanc and Dr. Pepe http://www.catholicmedicalcenter.org/Medical-Group-of-Manche ster/Providers.aspx

BIG RANT COMING----

On another note. I use to work at Dartmouth Hitch**** Manchester and have been a patient there.  I am also using Dr. Gould as my surgeon.  On that note---I want to tell you that I would NEVER be a patient there under a primary care physician. 

I found that it was VERY hard, if not impossible to get in with your 'regular' doctor.  I won't even tell you the trouble I had with pediatrics.  The issue I had there was that I found I was 'just' another number.  My DH saw a primary there who treated him for over a year for a chronic problem with his ulner (similar to carple tunel sp?)....after a year of pretty much monthly appointments the guy still was clueless about my husband being a musician and 'forgot' that he had already ordered XYZ testing. 

I have heard good things about Dr. Richmond---why he is still with the clinic, I have no idea.  If you dont fit into their 20 minute schedule...watch out.  If all you do is get minor colds and ear aches---they are not a bad place to go.  On the other end too---if you are HORRIBLY sick, they seem to do pretty well with that.

Thank you everyone for your input and suggestions
~Donna!

I can't argue with you about Dartmouth Hitch****  The only reason why we stay there is because of the doctors my husband and I have (Richmond, and I have Crandall as an ob-gyn).  The medical care we get from them is excellent, but the customer service there is worse than the worse!  It is very hard to talk to someone there without holding on the phone forever, and then you have to wait all day (if you're lucky) for a call back from the nurse.  So, on second thought, I probably wouldn't recommend Dartmouth Hitch**** to the original poster unless she was desperate for someone. 

You know what is funny---Dr. Crandall saved my life about 11 yrs ago.  I was a DHCBedford patient at the time.  Severe abdominal pains....the Triage RN on the phone thought it was the flu---I told her there was NO WAY that it was the flu, I never had pain like that before.  She gave me an appt. two hours later.  I am VERY lucky to be alive today.  I had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy....I arrived at the Bedford office and the Urgent care doc knew right away what it was.  Dr. Crandall had me in the ER within 45 minutes at elliot.  I had two transfusions that day and was very lucky to survive.  I will never forget the nice talk he and I had about how I was given a second chance at life.....  I just couldn't take the system there---now I am back with So. NH OBGYN as they have just two docs.  Dr. Crandall is a super nice guy---love the bow tie!

I agree.  He's the best.  The bow-tie is good, but those cowboy boots . . .