PCP discouragement
First of all, my PCP is terrific. She's been amazing for myself and for my mom, who I am a caretaker of. We've been blessed over and over again by the level of her care.
But......I've been moving forward to VSG in Mexico. I do not have other health issues to speak of, so have not really involved my PCP in this decision. I did mention 2 months ago that I was thinking of it, and she told me she is not against it, that she had even considered it for her own mom. She did speak of the challenges and cautioned me, particularly emotionally since I have dealt with depression. And I understand that.
Since I am now ready to schedule my surgery I wanted to let her know and make sure she would do my aftercare. I called and left a message and her nurse called back with dire warnings of the dangers and a very strong "Dr.O does NOT advise this". She wants to see me if I decide to go ahead and I dread it terrible because I know she will try to talk me out of it.
This will not stop me, but I feel discouraged about it today.
Can anyone speak to this?
since you have spoken to this dr about this and she was not against it, I would think this nurse is giving you HER personal opinion, instead of the docs comments.
I would keep the appt, tell the doc what the nurse said and ask the doc if she indeed said that and why she didn't say that when you spoke to her in person.
About a year ago I mentioned to my PCP that I was in the process of being cleared for WLS for insurance. She was not resoundingly supportive, but she also didn't say she thought it was a horrible idea for me. She did mention that there was "exciting new research" being conducted in the human microbiome, and suggested that she, for one, would wait to see where that research led. She is also the doctor who, the first time she entered my room, I looked at and blurted out, "you're so cute!" 5-foot-nothing, maybe 100 pounds, obviously never had a weight problem in her life.
I rallied for myself. I knew WLS was the right choice for me, and I moved ahead with it. I had surgery 3 months ago.
Very shortly after my surgery I needed to go back to the doctor for an immunization review, and my PCP was not available. I schedule with her nurse practitioner. When she came into the room (I've seen her many times before) she was happy to see me, excited to hear my story, wonderfully supportive, and told me about her own work with post-surgical patients. My NP is totally on my side, and says I can come straight to her for anything I need (I go to my surgeon for follow up care, but it's nice to know my NP is there if I need her).
Anyway. My point being: is there someone else in the same office you can ask for support? Might not hurt to put out feelers!
If she wasn't against it when you first spoke to her, it is possible (likely even?) that her objection is to having the surgery in Mexico. There is a HUGE bias in the medical community against having procedures done in Mexico, and there have historically been a LOT of shady practitioners in Mexico. It wouldn't be my first choice, but if I hadn't had insurance to cover the surgery stateside, I'd have done it. Many of the surgeons in Mexico are top notch and I've heard VERY good things about the staff and facilities of several. I have friends who don't have insurance and are investigating Mexico, and have asked me as a nurse to look at them. I would be very careful in choosing a surgeon in Mexico, and research them extensively, but I would not rule them out solely because they are not stateside. Perhaps if you print out some information and reviews from other patients she'll see that the facility and surgeon in Mexico are reliable and relax a bit. If there is a complication, you'll need referred to a GI specialist, and if you don't have any complications (and most people do NOT have complications) then her role will mainly be ordering the right labs periodically as you follow up. Once she understands exactly what her role would be, she should also calm down.
And I agree with other posters, the nurse could be projecting HER opinion as the doctor's. It happens.
I would suggest going to the appointment armed with a lot of information about your surgeon and what research you've done, and don't borrow trouble. You say you have a good relationship with your doc, she's likely just concerned for your safety.
HW 306 - SW 297 - GW 175 - Surg VSG with Melanie Hafford on 8/17/2016
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Blog Posts - The Easy Way Out // Cheating on Post-Op Diet
It's been so good to be reminded not to panic and think the worst; to be open minded and trust that she will hear me and I can find out what her concerns truly are. It's also be good for me to think of how I need to be assertive to find the care I need if it does not work to continue with her. I really appreciate everyone's input. I've never been part of a forum and I've never felt the need for a community quite like I do right now. You all have shown me I'm in good company. I'll be gathering up information to take in with me to my appointment next week and will hope for the best. I'll let you know!
I echo what Gwen said.
I had a similar conversation with my MD. I traveled (to FL) for my surgery, and needed her to be "on board". She brought up alternatives (medications/diet/etc), but she was also aware of my history. It wasn't my favorite thing to debate WLS with a doctor, but I had a history with her and respected her opinion. She was also respectful of me.
She has provided my follow up care. I had a visit with her about a month ago and she remarked that I am not only visibly healthier weight-wise, but that she can see a difference in how I carry myself. She has been very supportive, even though she had reservations prior to the WLS.
