Looking for a doctor

Well, I've posted on a couple of other boards here, but I should probably introduce myself here as well.  I had my VBG done about 17 years ago, at the University of Iowa.  I did it there, even though I was living in SW MO at the time, because they were a research institution, and were endorsed by my endocrinologist.  They did actually consider me for the initial research on the lap banding, but because I lived 8 hours away they had to exclude me from the study.  I had a lot of pre-surgical screenings, and tolerated the procedure very well.

However, I never really lost a lot of weight.  Every time I went back for my post-op visits, they checked me over and a lot of people asked me a lot of questions, but always told me I was doing well and to keep it up.  My surgeon has since retired, and the last time I went the doctor who saw me finally told me that I was probably not an appropriate candidate for the surgery. 

Over the years, I've tried kajillion ways to lose weight, a lot of the same things that I tried before I had the surgery.  None of them work.  I have PCOS, which wasn't diagnosed before the surgery, and have osteoarthritis so severe that I use a wheelchair at work while dealing with severe pain that won't respond to pain meds.  I have a whole list of other meds that I can't take, and have ended up in the hospital more than once because of complications from doctor-supervised weight loss programs.  Last week, my PCP had me in tears because she was putting me through the old "try harder, try a different program, do different exercises" routine, basically almost accusing me of lying when I told her none of them would work for me.

So, here I am, once more getting out there and looking around for some answer to my dilemma, and some way to lose this weight.  I still have all of the dietary restrictions from my VGB, and actually eat very little.  I don't feel positive about having more surgery, precisely because of all of my bad experiences with other methods for losing weight.  I don't mean to offend any of the wonderful people who have offered me support here, but I don't need to hear that I just need to try "one more thing."  I'm tired of trying "just one more thing."  I'm afraid that this "one more thing" won't work either, and I just can't bear going through that all over again.

What I do dearly want to do is find someone who will try to find out WHY I can't lose weight.  WHY do I have a negative caloric intake, and yet gain weight?  WHY do I get deathly ill when I do try to stick to a diet?  What, if anything, can I do to make the procedure I've already had work for me? 

Does anyone know of a good doctor in the Dayton area who won't try to sell me on having more surgery?  My lifestyle/career won't allow me to have surgery as it is, please don't tell me that's the only answer because it's just not possible even if I did want it.

Thanks for listening.  Rant concluded.

I would think that your best bet might be to either try a different PCP... one who is more willing to do the investigative work to see what is really going on metabolically in your body... or find a good endocrinologist.  I have two different PCPs that I would be happy to pass along the names of privately if you're interested -- both of whom are very good about not just putting a band-aid on something, but trying to figure out what's cuasing the problem.  One is in Centerville and the other is in Beavercreek just down the road from the Fairfield Mall.  Unfortunately, I don;t know of any really good endocrinilogists here in town.  When I had Graves Disease a number of years ago, I hated all three of the local doctors I saw (two of them aren't even practicing here anymore) and ended up consulting with a guy at the OSU Med Center in Columbus before I would let any of them treat me.

Although a surgeon who does bariatric surgery is more likely to try to talk you into surgery, a  WLS surgeon may be best able to provide a referral to someone who can figure out what's happening with you.

Surgery (or a revision) is definitely NOT for everyone, so please don't feel as if you need to apologize for not wanting further WLS.

Lora

Thanks.  I've heard the same from doctors in four states.  I've consulted with two different endocrinologists over the years; one of them was a wonderful man who first diagnosed my PCOS, probably 25 years ago.  The other was a very good doctor who did some tests about 5 years ago, and diagnosed me as having metabolic syndrome.  Strangely (perhaps), the results of one thyroid scan indicated that I should be having trouble gaining weight instead of losing it.  I wouldn't mind going to see her again, but she's in Missouri.

Currently, I'm living in Troy and working in Springfield.  My PCP is very good for many things, but just not a good fit for me, I'm afraid.

I would love to find a good endocrinologist.  Can anyone recommend one in the area?  I would even be willing to go to Columbus if need be.