How do you say you want WLS?

Hi everyone I’m new to the 20’s message board.:-) I just had a few questions to ask and I hope I’m asking it in the right place. Tomorrow I’m going to see a doctor about back pain which I’m guessing is due to either my breast or weight anywhoo I’ve never seen this doctor before (was unable to see my normal doc since she’s booked straight up until October) my question is how do I bring it up that I’m interested in WLS? What did you all say when approaching your doctor? By the way I do know that I qualify from my BMI above 40, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.  I’m really nervous.

Well...I'm really straight to the point.  I'm not the type of person that feels around to see if I can say something or see how they'll react to what I'm saying.  I just say it and that's exactly what I did.  He agreed with me and thought it was a good idea but if he hadn't...I would have pursued it anyways and switched doctors or whatever I had to do.  My mom had the surgery and after an ER visit for my cluster headaches and the ER doctor saying that WLS could be a very good option for me, I've been thinking about it, so there! Good luck!

Kimberly: Congratulations on your decision to DO SOMETHING about it! Most of us here started with that decision becuase we wanted the opportunity to get our lives back. The waters can be tricky to navigate but it can be done.  Of course support from your Primary Care Physician (PCP) is very helpful. Many of them understand the benefits that can be obtained, while unforunatly some, are just not well enough informed about it - although the tide seems to be changing in that regard. Anyway, Obesityhelp.com has some inforamtion about this topic. If you click this link: http://www.obesityhelp.com/content/lettertopcp.html you can find a sample letter to a PCP asking for their help in obtaining surgery. You may want to check it out to help give you some ideas as you develop your strategy for what you will say. Of course, if all else fails you can find another PCP! I moved to a new city after my surgery and the first PCP I saw had no clue about the unique situation I was in having undergone surgery. I asked around at my local support group and was recommended a great doc. You can try that too on the ME forum here on OH. Keep us posted and good luck.

Hi I just said that i had researched WLS and I had been for 5 years! I told my pcp and she referred me, I think being up front with your PCP is the best way, let them know why.... wishing you luck tomorrow!

I actually just went through this about a month ago.  I had to go in and have a physical as a pre-op requirement for insurance.  I'd only been to my PCP once before, and I felt incredibly nervous.  My heart was racing so fast and I was shaking (I really hate doctors' offices!). I just spit it out when he asked what I was there for.  "I'm interested in weight-loss surgery," I said, and it was surprisingly anti-climactic -- "OK" was all that his reply consisted of.  We had an honest chat, he asked me about comorbidities, and offered to do an EKG while I was there and filled out a form I could take to go have blood drawn.  I built up this huge thing in my head and it ended up being no big deal. So I say, just do it.  You only have to do it once and it'll all be over soon.  Whenever I have to do something I find particularly unpleasant, I always just remind myself that it'll be over very soon and tomorrow I won't even believe that I was so worried about it.

Thanks everyone..It went alright . He wrote me out a lab report for some blood work. He asked me to wait to talk to my PCP after she gets the results..so i'm just waiting, I can't wait to get the ball rolling. Thanks for all your advice Kim