Question:
I'm going to see my PCP...
Well I'm going to go see my PCP tomorrow to get a referrl to the Dr. She is not exactly WLS friendly, in fact when my mom had the surgery she was against it but i'm hoping that after seeing my mom she will be more willing. So I'm just wondering what's the best way to approach the situation. For example the reasons i have never been able to really lose weight is i love food and can be an emotional eater or just eat out of boredom and when i lost weight it would only be 10-15lbs. i don't want the first thing she thinks to be that i lack self control. Does that make sense? — phranny19 (posted on April 3, 2006)
April 3, 2006
Hello,
you have seemed to leave a lot of information out. How big are you. What
difference what your PCP says to you. If you meet all the criteria then it
does not make any difference what he says. This is between your surgeon
and you. Some of the most important words you left out is that ou want the
surgery for YOU and only YOU. The surgery is not for our parents, husband
or kids. This is for you. You need to research this much more. I don't
think you really are ready for it. WLS is not the quick fix answer. this
is a life long item and there is NO returing once it is done. I believe
you need to get your mind in the right place. Write back if I can answer
any of your questions.
— Steve Cohen
April 3, 2006
Hi Francisca - here is what I did- and I hated doing it- I had worked in a
professional capacity with my own PCP on the same medical staff for years.
He was very nice when we were colleagues, but when I had to retire and he
was JUST my pcp, he developed a distaste for obese patients. Made me crazy.
It took him forever to do a referral, he did it screaming all the way. I
finally approached him in the softest voice I have-which I had always used
on patients who wouldnt listen to me-which happens, and in the end had to
threaten him with the HMO board, but it went through in record time. As
far as you being an emotional eater- at least you have already defined your
weakness- and i you really want this surgery and are ready to face and work
on that problem, just let your PCP know, how important it is to you, and
you will work with the tool rather than eat around it. You will be
discussing that issue with the psych anyway. Maybe take your mom with you
so your doc can see how well she has done. your pcp cannot refuse your
request. They have to sign the request whether they believe in it or not.
Will you have the same surgeon as your mom did? Did the surgeon require a
weight loss befote WLS? Go into your PCP appnt with all the info you
possibly can, and good luck
Cindi
-223#
— DollyDoodles
April 3, 2006
Hello Francisca,
First let me say that you are a gorgeous girl and I wish you nothing but
the best in your weight loss journey. One of the first things your PCP is
going to ask you is what have you done to lose weight and how well did you
stick to it. Were I you, I would not mention ".....i love food and can
be an emotional eater or just eat out of boredom." This statement does
seem like you lack control and you do not want to be hindered before you
start.
You might want to consider having your mom at the appointment with you if
at all possible. This way it is not just you battling your PCP to get your
referral. Once you have your referral, you psych eval and surgeon will
determine whether or not you are capable of sticking to the new lifestyle
changes that come with WLS.
— Tiff's On a Mission
April 3, 2006
Thank you for all your quick responses. I am 5'4" and last time i
stepped on the scale i was 280. My mom will be going with me and believe me
i know that this is not the easy way out or the quick fix. Since my granpa
died from a heart attack i have been at the gym and doing my best to eat
right. I have been doing a lot of research and work with 3 women (my mom is
one of them) who have had the surgery so i am well aware of all the risks
involved. Actually it was my mom's idea that i look into it. i can't make
the inital appointment without my PCP referal. So what reasons have you
told your Dr's that your diets were not working?
— phranny19
April 3, 2006
Francisca, I told my pcp that I was concerned with my health. I told him
that I had to something about my weight. We discussed what I had already
tried. He told me we could try pill and I wrinkled my nose. He said there
was risks with them. He asked me what I wanted. I said I was thinking
about surgery. He told me that with my health problems my health out
weighed my risks of surgery.
Tell the doctor the truth. Your weight is hurting your health. Good
luck.
Kathy
— KathyE
April 3, 2006
This is what I did.. I said I have researched this front beginning to end
and I have made the decision to have this surgery. Stay tough.. firm.. but
most of all let him know you have really reserached this and am not walking
in with blinders on... Good luck to you!
Kim
— KimY
April 3, 2006
Te Truth is very important i don't want to put my life at risk here by
lying. the truth is my family does have a lot of health issues my entire
maternal family is overweight and both sides of my family have a high risk
of diabetes, Both sets of grandparents my parents have/had high
cholesterol,blood pressure. My mom was a boarderline diabetic and was about
to be put on on insulin. When my grandpa died he had Thyoid cancer, and my
maternal granma had breast cancer(it's in remission) I appreciate
everyone's input. :-)
— phranny19
April 3, 2006
The most important part of your program is going to be some kind of
counselling or therapy, to get to the roots of your emotional eating and
changing those habits. Speaking from experience, if you aren't 100%
committed to completely changing your eating habits and attitude towards
exercise for life, you'll only be having this surgery to lose some weight
over a couple of years and then will end up gaining it back, yet still have
to take expensive supplements for the rest of your life. That is why in
Canada, if they don't think that you can stick to it, or that you're a
grazer that will out-eat the benefits of the surgery, they turn you down
flat. Do a lot of soul-searching. This is a serious surgery with serious
risks and will take a very serious and lifelong commitment to NOT eating
out of emotion. Jennifer
— j_coulter
April 3, 2006
This is a tool. The surgery itself is a serious procedure. I agree with
most comments made here except I do think that you aren't prepared for how
drastically this will change your eating habits. Yes, you have found that
you are an emotional eater/boredom etc. but with the surgery these will
increase until friends become used to the new you. During this time you
may end up bypassing the new tool which could be an issue and may cause
other surgeries to be necessary. I would see a psych and work on those
issues first so that you go into surgery knowing how to deal with them
after surgery otherwise it sounds to me like you are looking for a quick
fix.
— 1968 Loser
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