Question:
My family doctor does not beleive in any weight loss procedures except eating right
What do I do — joseybird (posted on June 10, 2006)
June 10, 2006
I say get another Dr. Thats what I did. As you said it has alot to do with
genetics and family. At least for myself, I believed after diet, losing
wiehgt and always gaining it back. My medical problem needed a medical
answer "WLS" No one can diet forever, it is not natural. Remember
not every Dr, will say thumbs up to this operation, but it may also be that
they do not know much about it. Good Luck, whatever you decide. I had
complications the first month, but would still do it over and over again.
— MikeL
June 10, 2006
I like a doctor who thinks aboubt things, then checks them out then he
refers me to a speaclist in that field.He wants whats best for me. Does
your doctor do that foe you? If not maybe you need to look around to one
that will. Take care of you!
— Thelma S.
June 10, 2006
The real question is: do YOU believe in wls? You must, a little, or you
wouldn't be here. =o) Medicine can be a crapshoot. Not all doctors are
versed in everything medicinal. Could be that he doesn't know a thing
about wls and therefore doesn't recommend it. But that doesn't mean it
isn't a good idea! And, as you've probably heard, just b/c you get the
surgery, it isn't like you get to pig out the rest of your life. It's only
a tool - you'll still be eating healthy (as your doc wants) and exercising.
But with people like us, we NEED this tool. I yo-yo dieted for years. I
gained. I lost. My self-esteem flew out the window years ago. But now I
have this tool - and this new life! I'm only 9 wks post op so it's still a
little rough sometimes but it only gets better from here. We're here for
all the support and answers you need. Good luck with any decision you
make!
— platypus
June 10, 2006
Find a local support group, talk to post ops out a 100 pounds and ask for a
WLS friendly PCP. I ran into a pulmonary doc who woulkdnt approve me for
WLS, found another doc! He obviously didnt know what he was doing! That was
about 5 years ago... Really glad that jerk didnt cost me my life!!
— bob-haller
June 10, 2006
Get a new doctor.
— danals24
June 11, 2006
If you believe in WLS and really want to go through with it then I suggest
find another doctor who will help you on your journey. Having WLS is a
major decision with a lot of struggles along the way, the one thing that
you don't need is to be fighting you PCP about it the whole way. I got
lucky with a PCP that was super supportive through the whole thing. I am
only a week post op and am so glad that I did not let anyone including a
doctor talk me out of it.
Good luck and God Bless
Tonia
— turtlewex
June 11, 2006
I'd say get another physician that has researched the information and knows
that it works. I can eat what they call "right" for a month and
not drop a pound. Diet and exercise doesn't work for everyone, if it did,
none of us would have had or would be contemplating having WLS.
— the7thdean
June 11, 2006
Shop for a new doctor. When I say shop I really mean it. Make an
appointment for a consult to meet the prospective doc. You may have to pay
a small ammount but it is SOOOO worth it. If you go with them often the fee
is waived or the insurance company picks it up. You hire this doctor for
their services so why not interview them? I have done this a few times and
have never been sorry, it's how I came across the best doctor I know to
date. Trust me, having been in the medical field for 7+years now, there
real losers and winners out there. You sure want to know what you are
getting.
— tazthewiz23
June 11, 2006
I guess I'd find a different family Doctor. Sometimes WLS is the last
resort, and after having lap band I AM finally ABLE to eat right and
exercise and not feel hungry and deprived anymore. It's not right for
everyone, but it IS right for some. You need a Dr. who is at least willing
to consider that possibility.
— Debra R.
June 11, 2006
I had the same issue...my old PCP believed only in Weight Watchers....which
I tried and would lose...but would gain it all back plus. I finally
switched PCPs and was able to get the new doctor to help me start the
process.
— mmcphee1
June 11, 2006
My PCP was not really WLS friendly. I knew that about her, that her answer
was diet and exercise. But that answer was never a long terms success with
me. I had all the will power in the world, but my body just never saw it
that way. I needed a bypass. So, I went to my doc, fully prepared to pull
my records and leave. I didn't ask her if I could have the surgery, I
informed her that I WAS having the surgery, and would she be willing to
support my decision. Much to my surprise, and probably hers to, she
agreed. She did admit she didn't know much about it, and that she would
have to learn from me and with me. That was FINE with me, because she was
willing to support me. I did my home work, and so did she. We've had a
good working relationship for many years now. It's just making sure YOU
are sold on the idea, after a lot of soul searching and researching. Then,
knowing that the doctors work for us, we don't work for them. If one isn't
agreeable with our decision, there will be another that will. Regards~
— Statuesque
June 11, 2006
My primary care doctor was skeptical when I told him I was considering WLS.
He also knows I "do my homework" and when I did decide to go
ahead with lap RNY, he was supportive! He still continues to learn from me.
If your doctor doesn't have an open mind about WLS, what else is he closing
his mind to? (My doc asked if he could have other morbidly obese patients
contact me about surgery! I am happy to talk to anyone about it.) Beyond
whether your doctor "believes" in weight loss surgeries, remember
that your doctor works for you! You are the one in charge of your body and
your health and you make the decision whether or not to have surgery - not
him.
— koogy
June 12, 2006
If you really like your PCP, then try talking to him and directing him to
the research that supports wls. The National Institute for Health
recommends wls for people with a BMI over 40 ... So you may want to go to
their website and print out information and give it to your doctor. If
your dr is completely unsupportive, find another doctor. This is YOUR
body. I am so grateful that my PCP is 100% supportive of surgery for me
... But if he wasn't, I would search for a new doctor. Good luck!!!
— peacefuldaizy
June 12, 2006
find a bariatric surgeon who knows a primary who will refer you. You
probably won't find a primary on your own that knows anything about this
surgery. Everytime I go to a new Doc I feel like I have to give them a
lesson in bariatric surgery. If you meet the criteria for BMI, find a
family Dr. who will understand.
— [Deactivated Member]
June 13, 2006
Many doctors are misinformed about the surgery. Do your research online,
go to a few of the seminars held by the surgeons, and get a new doctor.
Also, check either online or get a copy of your insurance's guidelines for
the surgery. that way, if you need to jump through some hoops, you can do
it all simultaneously.
— Novashannon
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