Can you recommend a WLS-Friendly PCP in the Triad?

Hello again...'tis me the newbie. ;) I have not had a PCP for five years now....right when I moved to the Triad I got pregnant with my first daughter....16 months later I was pregnant again and 9 months after my second daughter was born, I was pregnant with my son. (yes - I'm fertile) Anyway - being pregnant almost contantly meant that my PCP was really my OB/GYN. As I begin my journey (again) towrd WLS - I'd like to find a PCP in the triad that is supportive of WLS and can be there for my basic medical needs both before and after surgery. Can you recommend your triad, NC PCP to me?? Thank you in advance for any responses!

Hi, I've been in the Raleigh/Durham are for about a year and have yet to be able to find this type of doc from referrals. I got one thats a possible but I haven't called yet. If you get any names let me know. This finding a doc is harder than I ever heard it would be. Good luck. I'll keep you in mind if I find someone and would appreciate you do that also. Thanks. Kelly

Hey Rebecca. Welcome from another "newbie"!!! My PCP is Dr. Al Hawks in High Point. He is very open minded about WLS and I just had an appointment with him earlier this month to discuss this very issue. He said he would be more than willing to follow me post op and he even wrote me a letter to send in to the insurance company with my packet of info that lists all my health issues and stating that he feels that I would be a good candidate for the surgery. He's a great doctor and I would highly recommend him! And you can usually get in pretty quickly to see him - at least that's been my experience. His office is located in northern High Point on Premier Drive which is off of Wendover Avenue if you are familiar with that area. His office number is 802-2210. Since you live in Kernersville, this wouldn't be too far of a drive for you I don't think. Have you chosen a WLS surgeon yet? Hope this info helps and good luck!! Donna

Thanks for your suggestion, Donna!! This is a relief! I am planning to go forth with Dr. "Fuzz" Fernandez who is perfoming WLS at Wake Forest. Last year I attended the seminar, had my consult, and even had my tests scheduled with CCS in G'boro - but the staff there was not very freindly and I felt very alone in the insurance part of the process that I ended my journey. :( I just found out here the other day that Dr. Fernandez is back in practice at WF after a insurance fiasco - so I am thrilled to beging my journey again. Who are you planning to use as a surgeon?

Hey Rebecca. I am planning on having Dr. Fuzz do my surgery too. I went to the PAVE class he and Susan held in early December and am working on my packet of info to send back to them. I will have new insurance in January (Medcost) so I am waiting until next week to send everything in and then hopefully they will call me back to schedule my consult soon. Have you already sent in your packet and have you been to any of their support group meetings? I was all set to attend the one in December but ended up having to work later than usual that night and didn't get to attend but I am looking forward to attending the January one. Donna

Donna, I haven't yet been to the meeting, no. I'm anxious to get to one and meet them, though. How did you get that information on the meeting? I called Susan on Thursday and left her a messege but haven't heard back, yet. How were you able to touch base with them initially? It sounds like you and I might be seeing each other soon!

Hi Rebecca! I am waiting to find out my husbands bennifits for WLS and as soon as I find out I'm going forward. I have an appointment with Dr. Fuzz on the 19th and I can't wait. So lets pray that my husbands insurance will cover it. Thats the big hold back. I just went to a support meeting to see what they do and to meet some people. Susan will get back to you soon. Sometimes she gets a little behind. Took her a few days to contact me to. Anyway, if they didn't send you a packet yet you should go ahead and call them back and ask the receptionist if she can mail you the WLS packet. It is rather large and will give you some time to get started on it. You will need to get records of all your medical information and if you've not had a physical I suggest you go ahead and get that done to. Susan will want the lab results. Anyway... I will be glad to help you in anyway I can. I hope we will get to meet sometime soon. Oh and my PCP is at Forsyth Family Practice off of Jonestown Rd. in Winston-Salem. My Doc is Dr. Ken Morgan and I go to him frequently. The last time I was there I asked him how he felt about the surgery himself and he really didn't say anything bad at all. He said he has a lot of patients who have had it and none have had anyproblems and they look great. Who is your Insurance Company with? Cathy S

Hi Cathy! Thank you for your reply! My insurance is with BCBS-GA... the whole insurance aspect of this is a lot more frightening to me than any aspect of the surgery or new, healthier lifestyle. I scheduled a physical with Dr. Ted Nifong - who was recommended to me by a fellow OH member and WLS graduate. I'm anxious to see him and gain his support... I hope he is open to supporting a new patient through WLS!?! I heard from Susan yesterday and she said she sent my packet! Since I already did the whole packet portion of this last year with the other surgeons office - so I should be able to get through it with ease. I'll be attending the new patient meeting...which Susan said was next Monday, I think...she said details are in my packet. Cathy - who is your husband's new insurance with?