PCP didn't want to give me a referral for the surgeon

Maybe your PCP will change her tune after you have the surgery and she sees the incredible changes in you.  4 years of weight struggle should've been enough for her to see that things weren't going to change without help.  But like you said, at least you did get the referral eventually.

I feel fortunate that my PCP was all for me getting this done.  I've been seeing her for about 6 years, but she knows my whole family history, including the problems my father has, as well as my chart from before I started seeing her, so she has been very supportive.  I know how important a good relationship with your doctor can be.

I got a different PCP when i had that problem. Since my surgery, I have had to switch PCP's again, and my current PCP thinks that toe jam is a side effect of WLS....guess what? Changing again. Can't fix stupid.

Hi,

Oh, Yes, I also had similar problems with the PCP.  And I changed PCPs 3 times in the last 3 years.

First, I'm in in an HMO.  Don't know if that helps them with their rejections (I think it does). 

After numerous times of asking for a referral over the last 6 years, on my last visit AGAIN I requested a referral for a bariatric consultation.  She put it right through.  I'm still amazed. 

Hmmm, I wonder if it because I now I have diabetes, sleep apnea, high b/p, high cholesterol/triglycerides, neuropothy, bmi of 41, etc.

IMO, it's just a money game with these doctors.  It's cheaper to send me for the bariatric surgery now, because in the long run it will be cheaper than treating all these other problems for the next 10 to 20 years.

I just don't understand the reasoning with PCPs about anything anymore.  It seems like I have to tell mine what to do.  After all this bariatric appointments I will have, I will be looking for ANOTHER  PCP.  UGH!!

It may be because you have a lower bMI.  They don't like to refer if bMI is not 40 or over or 35 with co morbidities. 

First of all you are not 100 pounds or more over weight. So, the reason your doctor has the reaction they have is they must feel since you only have 65 pounds to lose; you should be able to do that with diet, exercise, diet plan through your doctor or dietitian, weigh****chers, etc. first. But no WLS  will talk to you about surgery if it is not medically necessary or if you are not morbid obese which is well over 100 pounds over weight and a BMI of 35 or over (I believe). That is what I was told by my doctor and I qualify for all of the above. So, please don't be mad at your doctor for saying no believe me I wish I was you only 65 pounds to lose. Good Luck & keep your head up be glad you don't need to have WLS.

My BMI is 38. And yes, morbidly obese. I'm 4'11". To have a healthy BMI I should weigh 114 or less. I weigh 190ish that's 75  pounds overweight. Why is everyone assuming I don't have co-morbidities? It wasn't mentioned in my original post, I have high blood pressure, history of cancer, and a few others. Diabetes runs in my family but thankfully I don't have it yet.

I'm sorry than, I just know my know my doctor said that insurance companies are funny on what they classify as necessary reasons for surgery and those were their classifications. I wish you luck on getting it approved.

I hope to get approved. As of now I still don't have an appointment with the surgeon.

I hope to get approved. As of now I still don't have an appointment with the surgeon.

There are very specific co-morbidities that insurance companies will accept with a BMI of 35-39.   To be sure of approval, you need to have a BMI of 40 or 100lbs overweight.   I suspect this is why you had trouble getting a referral and why you may have trouble getting insurance approval - especially as you are losing weight before seeing a surgeon.   

I wish you luck!