Requesting Advice...new here

I am from North Bay Ontario. My GP is not supportive of WLS of any kind. He has his own private weight loss business. I feel  miss led by his practice. I now feel that of my requests to be referred to the Registry for Bariactric Surgery in Ontario will not happen as he is not supportive. I do qualify from all the research I have done. Family doctors are hard to get in North Bay. I'm hoping someone out there has suggestions or advice that could help me get onto the registry and get the process started. Thank you for reading.

There is definitely a conflict of interest there. I would insist on a referal anyways and tell him to let the bariatric referal centre make the call. Goodluck!

Thank you, great advice, I'll keep you posted.

I know of two women who have gone to their local walk in clinic and told the doctor there about their predicament with their family doctor being unsupportive, and have had referrals that way. It's worth a shot, if there is a walk in clinic near you!

That is a good idea Katie. I would go to the walk in clinic with a written history of weightloss attempts(with dates), medications, co-morbidities etc just to help facilitate the application process. Also, maybe print the physician page for the bariatric referal website to make it easier for them if you are their first referral. Just a thought.

This was the page I printed off for my Dr. as he had never referred any patients before.      http://www.bariatricregistry.ca/refering-physicians.aspx

Goodluck

I went to the walk in clinic and the Dr. Seemed supportive. Sent me for blood work and took the form. He filled out some of it and wants to call me next week to see what else needs to be done. I'll keep you posted, Thanks so much, Karen

Thanks, great ideas and support! I did go to the walk in and took the forms. He filled out some of it....printed his own but wants to talk again, sent me for bloodwork. Is that normal for a referral? I'll keep you posted. Great site, so helpful and supportive!  Karen 

I'm not sure whether it's normal or not, it may be in your specific case :) My doc just sent the referral off with no blood work, but I didn't have any other medical issues aside from obesity. Hopefully the next time you go in to see him he'll send the referral off! Good luck :)

What about calling the nearest bariatric clinic and tell them your story. Perhaps they might have a solution.

Good Luck!

My family doctor was completely unsupportive of me as well. I ended up going to a specialist and he did the referral for me. Do you have any medical conditions you could request a specialist for?