Am I doomed to Obesity for life?

I called the surgeon's office yesterday (5/12) to check on things. They haven't received my records yet (but my PCP's office assures me they were mailed on Monday), but do have my pysch eval. So they just need the records; everything else is in. As the receptionist is looking through my chart, she comments on the letter my PCP wrote. It basically says that I have been advised to lose weight, but have not been put on a formal diet plan with her office. The receptionist automatically took this as to mean that the PCP is suggesting a formal diet over WLS. She was not very hopeful at all. I fought with my PCP's office for over 3 weeks to get that stupid letter that has 4 whole sentences. She says she's advised me to lose weight, but she hasn't. She has only suggested that I stop drinking Pepsi and other drinks sweetened with sugar. I have always been at least 260 since I started going to that office about 10 years ago and NOT ONCE has she suggested that I go on a diet or see a dietician or nutritionist. Yeah, I tried diets, many diets. I didn't tell her though. I don't tell anyone when I plan to do something because if I fail, I don't want to have it brought back up and feel like a failure. This way, if only I know, I don't feel like I'm letting anyone else down and don't feel like others are seeing me as a failure. Her letter also states that I suffer from hip dysplasia w/osteoarthritis, asthma and tobacco abuse. She always writes why we've been seen in the lower right corner of the sheet. I know for a fact on many occasions it has said "obesity". Yet, she chose to leave that out of the letter. While under normal cir****tances, I wouldn't mind doing a supervised diet, I don't have the time. My hubby works for Delphi and September will be his 2 year mark on extended disability. He either has to go back by then, or he's out of a job. We do not see him returning since he has not had any improvements with his back at all. That will mean no more insurance. My orthopedic surgeon has written a nice letter saying I need my hip replaced but can't due to my weight. I also have a letter from the OB/GYN saying I suffer from PCOS due to Insulin Resistance. Will these letters cancel out the very non-supportive letter from my PCP or am I doomed to obsity for life? Thanks for any advice you may have! Shelly p.s. Someone did suggest I find another PCP, but I'm thinking Anthem may look at it as I didn't get what I wanted (support for WLS) with one doc, so I went another. Like, I wasn't getting my way. It just doesn't seem like it would look good on my part to aburptly switch PCP's after so many years.

You should see what they said. The fact that they have other documentation might work in your favor. If you are approved or if you are denied, find another PCP anyway. This one does not have your best interest at heart. I think they will. If I can help let me know Jack Nieporte wlsbutterflynetwork.org

Shelly, I would presume the other letters will help your case. I've found that some physicians don't get "your" messages. I've been trying since February to get the same message to my PCP for the letter she offered to write for me and the nurses simply will not give it to her correctly. I even WENT over to the office and although I didn't get to see her, I did talk face to face with the nurse (who proceeded to argue with me about what I needed). After that, I insisted the doctor call me-they weren't happy about that but she did call me and it was after that the letter got written as needed. Now, I've moved into a different phase with this insurance-my surgeon's insurance people refuse to submit it citing I will be denied. Yes, but after some discussions and research, I've been told to appeal but I guess they don't want to do to have to deal with that. Anyway, I made an appointment with my PCP for something else for tomorrow before I knew about the insurance thing. I'm going to discuss what I need, face to face for these appeals. I guess what I'm saying is, if it doesn't work in your favor, go in and go face to face with your PCP-write it down in a note what you need. Perhaps going directly to the source will help. Good luck! Beth

Shelly, Your story sounds just like mine. I have been struggling with obesity all my life & have never had any of my doctors tell me that I needed to lose weight or here let's do this supervised diet...which is EXACTLY why I have limited documentation of the diets & things that I have tried because I have never shared this with them! Keep plugging away & hopefully something good will happen for the both of us. I noticed that you had your OBGYN write a letter about PCOS, could you tell me a little about this & what it means? I am seeing mine next week & plan to ask her to write a letter about what I am suffering from such as infertility, non-exsistent cycles & such. Thank You! Jen

Thank you all for your replies. The statements from the other 2 doctors do help me, in my opinion. JenB, the site I found to have the most details is: http://www.hormone.org/learn/pcos_2.html The reason I asked my OB/GYN to check me for this was due to not getting pregnant. We tried for #3 for over 4 years and just stopped last month so that I can have WLS and get healthy. To think I stopped for nothing would just crush me. The nutritionist told me that some women with PCOS don't need to eat as often as others because of the way their bodies are processing carbohydrates (or something like that). This was her explanation for me only eating twice a day. AND! Someone said (I don't remember who) that women with PCOS often tire easily, need to nap, wake up still sleepy, have no energy, etc. (this is me as well) In my opinion, the biggest indicator of PCOS, was my insulin level. Your doctor needs to order a fasting insulin blood test. According to this site: http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html "A fasting insulin of 10-13 generally indicates some insulin resistance, and levels above 13 indicate greater insulin resistance." When I had my insulin level checked, it was 17. Not extremely high, but high none the less. Another name for elevated insulin levels is called hyperinsulinemia. My daughter (who will be 8 on the 21st) was diagnosed with this last week. Her insulin (30 minutes after drinking the sugary stuff) was 239! And for her age, it should NEVER be above 17. She is well on her way to having PCOS as well as diabetes. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me. I don't get on here much. For me, coming here is like a kid going to a candy store and not being allowed to have anything. I have seen so many people get approved and have their WLS with much less wrong that what I have wrong with me and to think my PCP's lack of support could ruin that is just devastating.