Primary Doctors on Board???

I had my routine follow-up exam with my internist today -- I was completely afraid to mention to her that I am considering WLS in the next month.  I'm afraid that she will discourage me or tell me horror stories about the surgery and how I should lose the weight on my own.  She's told me many times how to lose weight -- eat right, exercise.  Yeah, if only it were that simple.  

Just curious if anyone has had any issues with getting support from their other doctors.

 I only told those i absolutely HAD to tell lol.   The less  people  to  potentially mess things up the better  . As a liteweight   people  constantly wantto butt into Ur business andstop Ur surgery because theyre ( usually )  fatte rthan U are  LOL thats why  I just told the  respiratory technicians ec.... itwas hiatal hernia surgery  .....

that works !! 

Good idea!  I like the hiatal hernia surgery idea.  I do have a hiatal hernia and ulcer that will ultimately be repaired during the WLS.   I guess I was thinking that my primary doctor would be able to tell if I were different!  She keeps a close eye on me due to my BP.

What do I tell co-workers when I'm off work for 2 weeks??  Hiatal Hernia?

I told co workers that I had medical issues that required surgery to deal with my metabolism, and that the weight loss was a wonderful side effect.

Those who pushed (and there were only a couple) got the cold stare.  Now I did tell close work friends that the metabolic surgery was gastric bypass, but it still comes out the same.

If you're going through this with insurance you may have to get a primary to write a letter of medical necessity. So, if your PCP isn't on-board, you may have to switch PCPs.

I didn't tell anyone where I work either. None of their nosy opinionated business.

--g

I have the option to use my regular PCP or go to one that the surgeon refers me to -- I'm opting for the surgeon referral.

How did your co-workers react to your rapid weight loss? 

They had all seen me doing Atkins and protein shakes starting a couple of months pre-op and they all knew I'd had back surgery before, my immediate nosy boss told everyone I was having more back surgery. So, I went along with his made up story.

My surgery is set for 1st thing Monday morning

I have been clearing my schedule for weeks to align with my "vacation". I work in a cute little salon. It gets kinda slow in October, so my timing is near perfect. And that was partial luck. Once I get through 2mro, I am home free! What I told each client last few days is " I've got a lot going on in 2 weeks, can I put you in 3 week's instead?" At same time for about a month, I maneuvered my schedule to be very heavy this week. I do have some scheduled in early Nov. which is less than 2 week's recovery for me, but my plan is to call them and say I am sick, if I feel too tired to do 2 appts those days... Guess we'll see.

My business partner said she'll cover for me, in regards to me taking a little r&r. She goes camping a few times in the summer, so of course is unavailable during those times. I did't take any time off this summer what with two kids in college and helping one paint his entire new home! So it is very believable that I would take a little time off.

My pcp was on board with my surgery, but in doing all my pre-op testing we discovered I have hypo-thyroidism. She suggested I postpone my surgery to "see" if I could lose weight with help from my meds... I have lost weight in the past and am sure I did Not have a low thyroid years ago... I NEVER was able to maintain my lower weight! Have to admit, my choice does have a way of making me feel "sheepish." I am definitely working on that.

I hear you, and understand that fear.  I was TERRIFIED that my PCP wouldn't support me.  Thank God he did.  (And I would've switched to another if he didn't.)  Here's my advice:

Your primary care physician should know about your surgery.  It's *primary care* which means that there will be other times when you will need to receive medical care, and it's critical that your entire care team is aware of any major health factor in your life.  We WLS patients are not the same as other patients, and there are things to look out for.  Surgeons do not substitute for PCPs.  

HOWEVER.  

Assuming that you've done everything to determine that this is the right thing for your body and the new life you're about to start, you have EVERY RIGHT to have a PCP who supports the important steps you're taking towards health. If she doesn't support you, then it makes perfect sense to find one who does.  And to stick with her or him.  

But withholding that information from a primary caretaker could have disastrous health effects on you.  You'd be punishing no one but yourself.  

Do you see what I mean?

Good luck as you work this all out!

My Primary doctor totally supported me but when I brought it up to my gyno she matter of factly told me thatt she doen't believe in wls and that all I needed to do was eat smaller portions and exercise. I couldn't beilieve that she actually thought that I didn't know that and I told her if it were that simple there would be overweight people in the USA. ( I changed to another doctor in the practice that was not an idiot)