Question:
I THINK I finally got the referral,but my PCP was adamant about me NOT getting WLS

My PCP tried to talk me out of it saying all i had to do was eat less. he also said he said i would regret it and im too young (im 26 yrs, 230lbs, 4"11)im not even sure he will put the referal in. what should i do, and how long should i wait? IM DEALING WITH THE VETS ADMINISTRATION..    — Octavia M. (posted on September 7, 2003)

September 7, 2003
I am 20 years old 5'11'' and started at 292lbs. I think if your pcp is not supportive I would find a new one. My surgeon wants us to have a supportive pcp since then I can see her if I can't get ahold of him. If my pcp wouldn't have been supportive i would have found a new one. I can call her nurse anytime I have questions and she will find the answers for me. 292/232/-60lbs as of 6/27/03 I do not believe you are too young for this surgery. Why wait ten years to see if you end up with comorbids and more weight which will make it a riskier surgery.
   — horserider0146

September 7, 2003
Find another PCP who is supportive of the surgery, if you really want it...they are out there. (And you're NOT too young!)
   — rebeccamayhew

September 7, 2003
By this website's BMI calculator, yours is 46.5. That's in the morbidly obese catagory. Mine was just of 50, by the way. So, I'm wondering why your doctor doesn't want you to do this. I'm assuming that you have been trying for a year or more to lose weight on your own. Right? Hmmm... I hope that you have a great WLC there, that can educate you and take good care of you for at least a year. And, if this doctor won't refer you, find one who will. God bless. Darlene
   — darbruing

September 7, 2003
Like the others said change doctor's if necessary. I would probably have gotten ticked and asked "at what weight will you think this is a good idea", if he said none, then I would have said "I'll send you an invitation to my funeral". Sometimes it takes a hammer to get across to a doctor how serious you are. "One thing you might try is writing him a letter and telling him what life is like for you. Tell him about the limitations and difficulties you have on a daily basis. Tell him about the surgery and make him understand that you know what you are getting into and what changes will be required. Talk about the things you want to do in life and cannot do now. At the end tell him you are not asking for his blessing on the surgery but you do need his support in providing a referral and you would really appreciate him giving it to you. Give him your number and tell him to please contact you if he has any questions or would like to discuss further. Go for the heart strings. You have nothing to lose! Go for it!!
   — zoedogcbr

September 7, 2003
Change doctors if he's not doing what's needed to help. One point I will bring up since you're young and dealing with the Veteran's Administration. If there is a chance you want to be in the reserves or national guard, you may want to re-evaluate. WLS will disqualify you for elistment because due to stomach size, you are considered as not deployable because of the limited amount you will be able to eat. If that's not a consideration, get another doctor and go for it.
   — Cathy S.

September 7, 2003
Goes without saying that you need to change doctors. I am the same height and was about the same weight as you and I held off until I was 40. I was miserable for 20 years and suffered health and self-esteem problems. Do it now! Do whatever it takes to get it done. You will not regret it! You have no idea how much better you'll feel, even after 30-40 lbs come off. Good luck!
   — Laura B.

September 8, 2003
RUN don't walk to another physician!!! Good luck, dear!
   — Deborah M.