Hoping for a referral

I am currently waiting for my Drs. appointment with my family dr.  I am hoping that he will give me the referral for surgery.  I worry that he won't because I have no co-morbid conditions.  In fact, aside from being 100 + lbs over weight, I have no health problems.  My sugar is good, my cholesterol 
is good and my blood pressure is good.   The way i figure it, all this is good right now, but won't stay that way at my current weight.  I do suffer from PCOS, so i am hoping that with that he will go ahead and refer me. 

Does anyone know of a surgeon in the Roanoke, VA area?

I am not in the Roanoke area but wanted to wish you luck.  PCOS is a comorbidity.  Do you have joint pain?  Arthritis? Your PCP hopefully will be willing to give the referral...getting insurance approval with no comorbidities is another story.  Keep us posted!

Fran - welcome to the VA board.  Tam had some good ideas.  What about your breathing, is it possible you need a CPAP machine (i did)?  Just wanted to wish you the best of luck.  I'd do a search under VA resources link to the right...hope that helps.  good luck.  lys b

Thanks tam and lys,

I have not had any probs with my breathing.  My Dr. has told me in the past that the reason my lab work and numbers are so good is because I do exercise and eat fairly healthy.  I just can't seem to lose the weight.  I do know that PCOS is more than likely responsible for the lack of lost poundage. I had some success on Atkin's several years ago.  Lost about 45lbs.  But we all know that once you stop it the weight comes right back and usually then some.  My hubby and I have been doing Weigh****chers now for little over a yr.  He has lost 90lbs and me a big whooping 20lbs.  I have been on some kind of diet for the last 7 years.  Mostly with little or no results.  i guess its been just enough to keep my numbers low and my blood work good.  I am still going to talk to my Dr. about it and see what we can come up with.  I am truly so tired of this struggle and just want to feel good.  Thats the main thing, I just feel tired and worn out all the time.  No energy.


i will keep you posted.

Fran

Feeling tired & no energy is a symptom of obesity...I would push that into your PCPs brain.  I have no idea how old you are, but as you get older, carrying that extra person around on you will start stressing your heart.  Explain to him that you want to rid yourself of the obesity BEFORE any major co-morbidities surface such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.  It sounds like you've made a valiant effort to lose the weight on your own so it's not like you haven't tried...another point to make with the doc.  It's up to you to convince him that this would be the best thing for you, overall.  Make a good argument.  You might even consider finding a surgeon ahead of time, attend one of the information classes, & then share the literature with your PCP.

Do you have the type of insurance that requires a referral?

I wish you much luck & hope that you will come back & let us know how things are going with your mission.

Hi Ann,

Yes my insurance requires a referral.  They also require as much doctor followed weight lose as possible.  Thank goodness my dr. is well aware of my diet struggles.  I have been searching for a surgeon in the Roanoke area and from what I have read about Dr. Bruce Long, I think I would like for him to be my surgeon.  The problem i am running into is that he does not seem to be listed in my insurance data base as a covered Dr.  So i will continue to search and go see my PCP with both barrels loaded.  thanks for your support.

Fran

Go get 'em, Slugger!!! LOL

I have an appointment with my PCP scheduled for March 31st.  Gonna do my best to get him to give me a referral.  Can't believe that I have to wait nearly a month to see him, but oh well...