I am so upset w/ my PCP

As I have explained before..... I had gastric bypass in 2008. We were military, moved back home to Louisiana. No Bariatric doctor wants to see me without me having to pay fees because they did not do my surgery and I am not having any complications. My PCP here has not been real supportive of my gastric. I had to educate him on what labs to do and why I am anemic. During my last pregnancy I was so anemic I was in the hospital and had to get multiple blood tranfusions.
The other day Poet Kelly helped me get what labs I needed. So I faxed it to my doctor.  I never got an order back. I called again today, his nurse calls me, I refaxed my order. I returned to a message stating that he didn't feel comfortable doing these labs to call my gastric bypass doctor. WHO NOW IS IN HAIWII.

I am almost in tears...... I know I dont complain, but this seems to be ongoing thing since 2008.......... :( 

 

I'll be honest with you...if I had a PCP that wasn't supportive of me or was acting like that...I'd fire him and find another!  There has to be another PCP in town that will work with you or may even have other bariatric patients so already knows what to do.

Maybe you could call around to different doctors in town to find out if they support bariatric patients?

Hope you find what you need!
Jen

Thank you!

That is on my list to do tomorrow!!! After my pitty party is over! LOL I just can't believe its happening AGAIN. Dont you think he'd want to help some one who is wanting to be healthy?

I work at this hospital so its hard to choose which one to go with! ya know! But I am going to go to one tomorrow!!!

 He doesn't feel comfortable doing those labs?!?!!?  WTF!!?   Why not?  Is it posing a risk to do the labs you asked for?  Are they more dangerous than normal labs!??!  He is just being silly.  Why in the world would he object to you wanting to know what your vitamin K level is or your D3 or whatever?!?  Ugh.. I read a lot of these types of posts and I swear.. they always **** me off.   I am so sorry that you are having to go through this.   I can't offer words of advice, and my outrage really isn't helping the situation at all, but I do hope you find someone supportive that will help you.    

I'm not sticking up for the doctor but I believe they are under pressure from the insurance companies to NOT order tests that are "unnecessary" ie, that do not show symptoms.

I'm sure he would be happy to order the basics (Iron, protein, thyroid, Vit D, B12 etc) but unless she is showing symptoms of vitamin or mineral deficiencies (unexplained bruises, heart palpitations etc) then I doubt he'll be able to justify testing the whole gamut!   The vast majority of us do not have copper or zinc deficiencies if we eat well and supplement well.  

This is a stark reminder that doctors do not control healthcare - insurance companies do!!!!

Hopefully the OP will find a doctor that will do what she wants, if not, she may have to do a combination of insurance and self pay to get what she thinks she needs!

Thank yall so much! I went talked to a new doctor!!!! I have an appt monday with him, I will be educating him but he is willing to do what ever it is I need and learn!!!

Thanks yall!

Just ask that knucklehead doctor for a referral to a bariatric specialist.  I agree with the other poster who stated that MD"s are under pressure to cut cost. It is my understanding that some of the vitamin labs are costly. I learned this because I may be losing my health provider, and inquired about self pay labs. I was told that the vitamin ones specifically are  more extensive and costs more.

However if that MD / PCP had any spine whatsoever he can easily justify why you need the labs, based on your present nutritional state. Call around and find a different PCP that will support you., Best wishes.
 

 I have the opposite problem of you.  My PCP wants to do them every three months, says he doesn't want something to pop up and not be noticed for six months or a year.  I am very thankful for my PCP, even if I did have to educate him about the surgery itself. He was against it and I finally told him he could either support me or I would find a doctor that would.  He is now recommending patients for gastric by-pass, which a year ago was totally against.  

WOW that is awesome that you have such a great PCP.