Hi everyone. I'm having ...

Hi everyone. I'm having a bit of a crisis here. My PCP is an awesome, AWESOME person....I love her......but she's not coughing up the Dr. referral for my appt. with Dr. Pohl next month. I've had this appt. since Dec and don't want to lose it because I don't have my referral. She just doesn't believe in WLS. But I do. I've been all over trying to find a Dr. around the Warwick, RI area, but would prefer to have some REAL opinions from some of you. I don't have long, so your immediate response would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks everybody. Finding a local Dr. isn't quite as easy as one would believe. Thanks again and hope everyone is doing great! Best wishes to you.

Hi Shelli, Has your PCP told you that she won't give you the referral? Do you have any health issues that put you at risk because of your weight? Have you tried dieting for at least 6 months and failed at it? If so, did your doctor know you were on a specific diet? Has she ever treated you for weight related ailments? - Diabetes - high cholesterol - high blood pressure - hypo-thyroidism - heart disease etc....... The reason why I ask is because if your doctor doesn't believe you are at risk, then you're going to run into a lot of problems. However, if you do have health problems and she is treating you for them and she knows that you've tried diets after diets and you continue to fail....then I would suggest that you write your PCP a letter (formal) explaining what it is like for you to live in a constant struggle. Have you attended Dr. Pohls seminar? You can also explain that you went to this seminar. Not all doctors agree with WLS. Fine. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't have the surgery! Ask her to explain to you why she disagree's with WLS? You may have to find a new PCP. If you do find one....set up an initial appointment with them and interveiw them. Ask them their feelings about WLS. Don't waste your time with different doctors. There are many doctors out there that support WLS. I, for one not only had my PCP agree to refer me but also had two other specialists refer me too! Dr. Pohl may cancel your appointment if you don't have the referral in time. He's pretty strict when it comes to documentation. Sorry you're going through all of this trouble. This is very stressful for everyone in the beginning. Good luck Megan B

Megan......... Yes, I've had MANY discussions with her regarding this issue. I'm on blood pressure meds because my pressure is at the stroke level. I'm over 300 lbs. and still relatively young (41), but find it increasingly difficult to live my wonderful, very active life. When we talk about it, I usually wind up in tears because she just doesn't understand. She tells me that it should be so easy for me to just wake up and say "I just won't put this in my mouth today"......well, it's not that easy and although I love her greatly......I come away feeling worse than when I went in the door. She says she wants to regulate all the hormonal changes taking place in my body as well as my blood pressure. She's convinced that once she does that, I will be more active again and lose the weight. I've doubled my weight in 7 years........I've done it all.....LA Weight Loss, Jenny, WW....all of it....even the fad diets. I lose some and she's happy, but then I gain it back. She's seen the yo yo diet effects, but won't budge. She even put me on the South Beach diet and went on it with me at the same time. Of course, I think she had about 10 lbs to lose. I lost weight.....but it's back, and then some. I think she gets more frustrated with me, than I do with her. She just doensn't get why I do this to myself and even gets a bit miffed at me. I've found a Dr., but can't even get in the door til May.....which means I'll have to push my April appt with Dr. Pohl back a couple of weeks. I'm very disappointed. I know my PCP is very educated and such.......but I'm also under the impression that this is MY decision.....MY life.....and she should understand and help me. I may try once more, but I doubt it will do any good. My appt in May is with Polly Leonard in Warwick. I'm told that she has some patients who have undergone this process. I really can't believe I'm having to jump through hoops like this, just to have one Dr. tell another that my life is being shortened by the weight that I'm carrying. It's very frustrating and rather depressing. It's not like I'm going into this with my eyes closed. I've been researching this for almost a year. I suppose all I can do is keep trying. Thank you for your kind words. Shelli

Hi Shelli, It must be frustrating to not have the thing you need to go further with your WLS journey. Have you discussed with your PCP why she is opposed to you pursuing WLS? Maybe if she could give you some reasons, it might make sense for you. I have been in the same position you are. A few years ago, I also began to talk abouit WLS with my PCP. He also didn't feel as though it was a good thing to pursue. However, soon after this, my weight began to increase fairly dramatically and I began to get the comorbidities of HBP and Diabetes. Once I went to him with the information, he also had had a bit of an apiphany about WLS. He is now my biggest cheerleader. Maybe sitting down and having a heart to heart conversation with your PCP would help clear it up. Good luck! Kristen