My Doctor won't refer me-she doesnt think it's neccessary

Hi there,

I am feeling bummed....my doctor will not refer me. I am 5 foot 4 and 256 lbs.... I have tried every diet and I just cant stick. feeling upset.....

Find another doctor

Yes - find another doctor! 

My GP wanted me to go for Slimband. It was a cardiologist that referred me to his colleague Dr. Grantcharov (gastric by-pass surgeon) at St. Mike's - and he put me in the programme. Another surgeon ended up operating - but thank gawd for those two doctors.  Your BMI should be enough - do you have co- morbidities -- sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes etc.? If you haven't seen this site - take a look at who qualifies, print out some info - maybe a walk in clinic will help. http://www.ontariobariatricnetwork.ca/

Don't give up!

I heard even a walk in clinic can refer you! my family doctor didn't refer me I had my neuro do it! but honestly if this is what you want don't give up!! someone will refer you! I mean it's not even really up to the family doctor? he can refer you and then a team will make sure surgery is right for you etc. so I don't understand why not! I'm 5"5 250. so your weight and height is enough to quailfy 

At your height and current weight, your BMI is 43.9, which mean you are definitely eligible for surgery. To be eligible you have to either have a BMI of 35, with 2 or more co-morbitities (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, PCOS etc) or a BMI that is higher than 40 with no co-morbitities to be eligible. Try a different doctor, even nurse practitioner, even go to a walk in clinic. They will refer you. You should make one more appointment with your family doctor, and tell her/him that it's your decision, they can't make that choice for you. It's a long process, so having your referral sent in soon makes a lot of difference/shorter time.

Hello

I asked my (previous of almost 17 years!) Doc (who was about early 40's and should know the latest about medicine or at least be willing to ask a colleague) and he said he never heard of Bariatric Surgery and did not seem willing to look into it even though I was around 300 lbs and struggled for years with my weight.  After going through Health Care Connect in Ontario (about 5 months) they placed with a Doctor who didn't know much about this surgery either and then the Ministry of Health closed her down (seems she didn't have a proper licence).  I decided to switch to my husband's family Doc (husband asked him directly prior to me being his patient).  The first appointment he told me he had patients with a great deal of success and looked at me with confidence and said that I would do well with the surgery.  And indeed I did, a year after my RNY, I was 180 lbs down, CW 145.  My new Doctor of now almost 4 years has been a blessing and helped me through many other medical problems and I don't know how my life would have been without him.  

So if you feel that it is important and the right thing for you for you, be persistent and find a Doctor who will work with you.

All the best!