Need help finding wls friendly PCP in cincinnati

Hello everyone. I am kinda new to the ohio area. Originally from KY. I am looking for a PCP in my area. I havent seen a pcp since moving up here. My obgyn doc recommended someone in the GHA offices but I dont know that this doc will be wls friendly or not. Anyway, the soonest she can see me is one month, I really didnt want to wait that long. I am ready to ask for a referall for wls and do whatever I need to do to get it going. I would hope to find a pcp in cincinnati or close to it. I am in the Maineville area. I have medical mutual super med insurance and I just want to find a pcp that is informed and supportive of wls including lap band. Anyone have any recomendations??? Thanks in advance, Tiffany

Tiffany, You might call Dr. Curry's office and ask them. They referred me to a really nice lady doc who's office is just across the street from the hospital. I can't remember her name, but I really liked her. I also heard a hospital employee speak highly of her. Trust me the ground troops at a hospital will always give you the real scoop. Cathy

I am a GHA patient, for obgyn, pcp and wls. They are very wls friendly. Dr. George Kerlakian-Clifton GHA-does the WLS, and has more than 2000 surgeries under his belt. (Dr. K is also easy on the eyes-if ya' know what I mean-which makes everything that much easier to bear...lol.) Anyway, my PCP who is in the Western Hills office originally referred me to Dr. K. for wls. Since they are all in the same practice, it made me feel much more confident. Their offices all have computers in them so no matter who I see-they can pull up all my particulars. GHA takes medical mutual I am pretty sure. They have an urgent care with longer hours for your "everyday emergencies" and I was even able Memorial day weekend to have Dr. K call me back within minutes when I was worried about something. I really can't say enough about GHA-my kids and I have gone to them for more than 10 years, the rest of my family has switched over because they have been impressed with what GHA does for us. Give it a shot. I think you will be suprised.

Rebecca, Thank you so much for responding, I really had no idea GHA would be wls friendly. Thanks so much for a glimpse of hope. I found out yesterday that medical mutual has wls as an exclusion even if it is medically necessary. I do not know exactly what that means. I am guessing that is what everyone means by "appeal". Im still going to talk to the doctor at GHA and maybe she will refer me to this Dr K you told me about. Someone here at OH told me that most insurance companys do not cover lap band because it is still experimental. Is this true do you know? Thank you again for responding to my post. I like GHA also. My obgyn is great and both of my kids go to GHA, I really like them. To hear that they are wls friendly makes me even happier! I was very worried that I would have a hard time finding a pcp that would refer me. You have made my day!! Tiffany

Tiffany, Dr. K is a great guy and a good friend of mine. However, he doesn't do bands only bypass. If you have an exclusion for WLS it is very difficult to get overturned. You might have to hire an attorney, there are a couple that specialize in this sort of thing. Good luck, Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio (513) 559-2545