Really Ticked! Seeing Internist BEFORE Orientation?

I saw my family doctor in early March and asked for a referral for gastric bypass. She asked if I was interested in information about diet and had I tried different methods to lose weight without being successful. I said that I had tried many different methods and times (I am 60 years old) and that I was not interested in weight loss programs but wanted a referral for surgery. 

I received a phone call and then a paper copy for what I assumed was orientation for May 29. When I arrived yesterday, the appointment was with an internist who asked basic health questions, explained the procedures, and offered me an optifast diet program. He gave me a requisition for blood work that he said I had to have filled before he will send in a request for orientation for surgery fo me. He told me if I then do not hear back after 3 months, I should call.

Has anyone had this happen to them? While I do have a BMI of 51, I am actually reasonably healthy. High blood pressure, but controlled by low doses of meds--and that is really it! Why do I have to go for blood tests before I can go for orientation? He gave me really unsatisfactory answers to this. He did want me to participate in a study--wonder if this could be why? 

I am just really ticked about this! I know some of you have had to wait much longer to get to orientation, but this just seems like an unnecessary step to see the internist first, get blood tests, then have to wait for orientation. Plus, spent over three hours driving back and forth and all the gas and parking fees--just all a waste! Then receiving no explanation about this makes me even more ticked off. Waited three months for this appointment, now have to get blood work and wait another three months for orientation? WTH??

If anyone has had this happen and could offer me an explanation, I would appreciate it!

Have a good day!

Carol, who might have to take a little extra high blood pressure medication today :)

Sounds like your doctor has a weight loss program going on of their own, maybe?

Hi Seyenna, 

Thanks for taking the time to reply. :) Yes, I think it quite possible that my own doctor may have her own agenda. 

I was referred by a nurse at a walk-in clinic, that could always be an option maybe?

Hi Seyenna,

Thanks for your suggestion! 

I had not had a family doctor for several years when I signed on with her last year. In order to have her become my doctor, I had to sign a contract that included my not attending walk-in clinics or I would be dismissed as a patient. Realistically, I can go Monday and get the blood tests and hopefully the internist will remember to put my name on the registry. And I will probably do that. I just think it is unnecessary to require I get these tests as a step to orientation--both from a unneeded cost to the medical system for unneeded blood tests, and as an unneeded procedure for me as I just had similar tests from the family doctor a few months ago. 

Never attending walk-in clinics??  Ridiculous!!??   I think you should look for another Doctor my dear!!  This all sounds VERY iffy to me !!

Strange! :(

Hi Caz,

Thanks for your support!

I could be wrong but I think this sort of contract is becoming more common. I live in St Catharines, which was/is under-serviced with doctors. I understand that the family doctor receives some sort of fine if one of their patients sees a doctor at a walk-in clinic. The group of doctors that my gp is in practice with take turns providing after hour and weekend office hours--but these are not drop in. If you are unwell, you still need to call for an appointment--and one is not always available. I am not a huge fan of this system, but it seems to be the only way one can get a family doctor in St Catharines! 

Carol, which hospital/bariatric centre is this through?

It is through St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton. I find it very strange that the internist said that I have to complete these blood tests for him to see before he will put my name on for orientation. 

I went through St Joseph Hospital, and had surgery January 2015.  That is out of order, but it may not be such a bad thing as you would have to get the internists approval before going ahead with surgery and he could require bloodtests before passing you along, and you might have had to wait 3 months for orientation and 6 months for next appointment only to have the internist tell you then that you have to jump through some more hoops before you could proceed which, if it took long enough to do, could require you to redo scopes, heart tests and all that goes along with the process.  I contacted the nurses and asked what tests would be required as soon as had referall and booked them then.  By the time I got to the internist I had everything done and I had surgery very shortly after.  Perhaps call nursing once you have blood tests done and find out what else you need to get done?  My whole process was very very brief, because I did not have to wait for tests to be scheduled.  Good luck with everything.