PCPs and WLS patients

Does anyone have a PCP who has multiple WLS patients? I am seeking a physician (Interal Medicine) familar with the different surgeries. It seems like my current one does not understand why I request vitamin levels be checked along with other minutia.

She also believes with VSG the intestines are rerouted? Yes, I have attempted to educate her, but each visit she continues to ask the same questions. I have recently relocated and not had much luck when I Google search for info...if the word bariatric is used, it comes up with loads of surgeons.

Any suggestions?

My PCP has several post-op WLS patients. She understands the need for labs and definitely understands the difference between tne various surgeries.

I would be just as uncomfortable as you with a doctor that doesn't "get it" and isn't even motivated enough to do her own research on the topic. Seriously...anyone can google this crap!

Does your insurance allow you to see an endocrinologist? I see one regularly due to underactive thyroid and he gladly listens and orders any tests I want at any time. My PCP doesn't know much about WLS either.

Thank you ladies for your responses. An Endocrinologist might be the place to start. I too have hypothyroidism. My Synthroid has been dropped from 200mcg daily to now 112mcg all in nine months. This too, seems to puzzle her?

I am in the Atlanta area where a lot of WLS is performed. I called my new surgeon's office and his staff is not so user friendly. But, I may ask them again for a referral for Endocrinologist instead of Internal Med.

Again, this site is so responsive and helpful?

I should have stated that my PCP is an internist so she sees a lot of patients with Type II diabetes, older patients, overweight patients, etc. Probably why she's so up WL surgeries. She's the one *****ferred me to my WL surgeon.

I am an hour north of Atlanta (in Canton, GA). My endo is Dr. Jason Berner, he's fabulous.

Thank you for offering your physician by name:)

Having the same trouble with a colonoscopy. And I know I was not his first post-WLS patient. I will need to find another doctor before I have to go back in 5 years.

I can see my surgeon once a year and he will order the proper tests - but I also need to find a PCP that is knowledgeble about WLS and the long term watch-outs. (I am 9 months out.)

I would hope that the ASMBS (largest national society for bariatric surgery) reaches out to their PCP peers and does more education with them. I used the search function on the OH website but there were no PCPs listed in my area - you might check there.

Yes, with the bariatric community ever increasing, you would think the specialty groups would be avaliable with ease of locating.

Good luck!

Fascinated. What problem with colonoscopy?