Plastic surgeon refuses to do pendulectomy, because they think I need bariatric surgery.

Hello, this is my delemma.  I have been losing a considerable amount of weight since I got out of my old job sitting behind a desk.  Because I lost a lot of weight through diet and excersize, I developed a VERY large panus that hangs down mid way down my thigh.  I developed an infection in the lower part of the panus because offluid being polling there due to poor circulation in that area.  I have been through many series of antibiotics to keep the infection from returning, and my Primary Doctor told me that I need to have this removed for me to continue with my weight loss.  I found a surgeon, and my primary doctor sent the plastic surgeon all of my history of my success with my weightloss, and the problems of my panus, and that I needed it removed, I even had my insurance approve of the surgery for me to have it done!  First try!!!  So after going through the usual barage of tests and ct scans, I was cleared to have the surgery. 
The plastic surgeon then says, I want you to see this other surgeon, because I want him to help me with the panus. Okay, that sounds reasonable, but to find out that this surgeon was a bariatric surgeon.  I went in there with a very bad feeling, and I knew that this plastic surgeon was wanting me to get on the bariatric program.  I was right, as soon as I entered the room, the doctor didn't ask me to show him the panus, all he said that they were not going to perform the pendulectomy because they wanted me to have bariatric surgery and lose 50 more pounds before they performed the other surgery!  I stood my ground and told him why I was there and my history of losing weight on my own, and then he told me that he has never seen any conclusive evidence that I would be able to keep the weight off long term, that I was morbid obese, and that I was in denial of my condition, and that I was using this infection to take the easy way out in losing weight!  I told him what he could do with himself and marched out of the office.
I called my Primary docotr and he called the surgeons back.  I guess he had some words with them, but he told me that it would be in my best interest for me to go to another surgeon, they are not even listening to him, and he has been my doctor for 10 years!  He knows why I got this way, and he saw me at a healthy weight prior.  I am just wondering if anyone has been humiliated by surgeons as well, Is this normal?  Or did I find the two biggest horses butts in my state?

OMG - that's disgusting. Yes, you found the two biggest horse butts. Why would you want your digestive tract rearranged for no reason???????? Run as fast as you can the other way. And kudos to your PCP for supporting you and keeping your best health interests in mind.

I have to wonder what kind of relationship this plastic surgeon has with the bariatric surgeon???? And why would that bariatric surgeon insult and belittle you? You did the right thing. There are plenty of people who have WLS who don't lose weight or regain it even with their surgery. You're a million times better off since you;re losing it without surgery.

I hope you find a good plastic surgeon who doesn't try to play a mean trick like that.

Oh and congratulations on your weight loss - that's great and I'm sure after your panni is removed you'll feel so much better.

Skylar

 Oh my- I'm sorry sorry you've been treated this way!!! I'd have been beside myself with hurt/anger! Good for you for telling the Dr just what you thought of him! 

I'm sorry you're back at square one, I wish I had advice for you. 

Thanks Ladies, I appreciate it very much.  I do have good news, Prior of getting out of my old job, I visited a plastic surgeon to discuss removing my panus back then, sitting for long periods made my legs go to sleep from its weight back then.  This surgeon said that to save my legs and reducing chances of any other complications, that he had no problem to remove the panus for this reason.  Well, I just found out that he is in my network with my new insurance!  I have an appointment with him on Apr. 5th, I lost weight since I saw him 4 years ago, so I just have a good feeling about this, but I also made appointments with two other surgeons.  One is quite young, and the other one he has good references.  Both of these will be on the twentieth of April.  I was hoping to have had this done before soccer season started so that I could coach, but with the risk of moving wrong and flaring up the infection inside, I had to decline this year.  Hopefully, with the Good Lord's blessing, that I will have this done before summer starts and I can be healthy again to help caoch volleyball this fall!  Got to make those short and long term goals to keep going and motivated! Thanks a bunch!

Good for you for getting other opinions! That first doctor sounds like a LOON! I mean, "the easy way out???" Because changing our eating habits and learning to excercise is just sooo easy!

Anyway, I really hope you find a surgeon you feel comfortable with and everything is taken care of!

Good luck!

Let's just say it was the combination of being a red head and being irish at the same time, and it is unusual for me to keep my mouth shut when someone is getting insulted...including myself!  I have to ask the Good Lord to keep a hand on my shoulder to guide me and a hand over my mouth to keep it shut.  It has worked for the most part, but sometimes it has to come out no matter what! ;)  Thank you very much, looking forward to these upcoming appointments!