OK'd by PCP

I am just getting home from the my regular doctor.  We discussed her writing a letter for me and her feelings about WLS.  She supports me but also cautions me to view this is a serious lifestyle modification.  She has had 6 patients in her practice that have ate themselves through a gastric bypass.  She frankly put it, mashed potatoes and cheeseburgers won't cut it. 

I explained to her that I have done extensive research over the last year and that this is probably the most informed decision I have ever made in my life.  

She seemed comfortable with everything and will have my letter ready on Monday. 

Next step, consultation with the surgeon on 5 May. 

Congrats!  You must be releived- I know I was! I hope things go equally smooth with your surgeon!So, how many steps  must you complete before you can get the surgery?

I'm not exactly sure.  I believe on Tuesday I'll meet with the surgeon and the program director and then after that I'll have things scheduled.  I know I'll have to have an upper GI endo, cardiac stress, psych eval, and two mandatory classes... maybe more... I'm not really sure.  I'm hoping the fact my schedule is very flexible will work to my advantage and move this process along sooner.  However, I have done all of the pre-consult footwork by getting certain medical records and tests I've already had done, getting letters wrote, and so forth and so on.  

The good thing, I will know my surgery date after the first consult barring any problems.  That is one of the main reasons I chose this doctor. 

Kevin, in the short time since you have joined us, I see that you are a very methodological person. I can see that you are determined to be a success. That is very important on this journey. Your first steps were like mine. My PCP supported my decision and a few weeks back at my quarterly appt. he was thrilled with my progress over 9 months. I suspect your doctor will be too as you move forward. Good luck. -- Tom

Well, personality speaking, I am typically a very organized and methodical but not to the point of it being pathological. hehe.  And I guess we can summarize a few things from being like that... it makes me pretty good at being a paramedic and executing the same standard of care for every patient.  It is also probably the reason I am single.  I think I'm too structured for most people.  But I do agree with you, it should help me with being successful.  I don't go back to see my PCP until the end of July and I'm not sure if I will have had surgery yet, but let's hope so.  :)  I really appreciate your encouragement, it means a lot to me. 

Kevin

Kev,

If you don't mind my asking, what was it specifically that the pcp had to note in her letter? I spoke to my pcp who admitted he hadn't worked with this kind of surgery at all... said he didn't have to write any letters like this in the past.

That kinda scares me so I am thinking on changing pcps!

I asked the surgery center if they could recommend some pcps in my area who have a history of working with patients with WLS.

I won't know what my doctor specifically wrote until after Monday. 

However, when I contacted the weight loss surgeon's office they sent me an application packet that contained a letter from the program's director to my PCP indiciating what criteria needed to be included in the letter.  

I am going to quote the letter verbatim (my grammar is better haha):

1.  A brief letter describing your patient's medical history, treatments for morbid obesity, and your support of the patient's pursuit of gastric bypass.

2.  Documented diet history- any office or clinical notes documenting supervised weight loss plans within the last four years.

3.  Five year weight history, if available- Please send one clinic note per year, for each of the past 5 years, documenting the patient's weight.

4.  Referral for bariatric surgery including the surgeon's name, if your patient's insurance carrier requires referrals. 

This seems to be very standard information needed in order to get any weight loss surgery approved by an insurance company or a surgeon. 

I wouldn't recommend changing your doctor especially if they are well versed in your medical history.  A new doctor would probably be very hesitant to write a letter expressing support without having prior interaction with you. 

in any case, I wish you luck!

This is what concerns me to be honest. I've only ever really saw the doctor when I was ill, and it was sporadic at best. Though I did see him more often this past two years for treatment of diabetes.

Not once did we have a "treatment for morbid obesity or for obesity".... though we verbally discussed nutrition when discussing diabetes. And with the tense manor in which he dealt with my questions about WLS on my last visit with him... I am suspecting he is somewhat hostile to the procedure... which doesn't necessarily make sense for me.  This is why I am thinking on changing PCPs to begin with.

Thanks for the well wishes.. .and good luck to you!