Question:
Getting referral from PCP
I go tomarrow to speak with my PCP regarding getting a referral for Lap Band for my appt on Dec 18. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to come right out and just ask for the surgery?? Some Dr's just dont believe in it so I want to go in armed and ready to get my referral Thank you Holly — Feetham00 (posted on November 29, 2007)
November 29, 2007
Hey Holly. Just be confident in what u want for yourself!! THis is your
life!!! and u have the right to make decisions regarding your health! Its
always good to let the doctor no that this is not just a whim decision and
that u have given it alot of thought! (and if ur like me...the history of
dieting for years and are at ur heaviest helps)! Is it leaving you with
other health probs? this would be good to mention to! I basically said,
" I've made the decision to have the lab band surgery and need a
refferal from you"! She asked why and i told her. She also asked why
the lab band and not the bariatric? My answers let her no that i have done
my research!!! Good luck! TanyaMay
— TanyaMay
November 29, 2007
going in prepared is always good! you should have a list of why you feel
that the surgery is good for you, for example: high blood pressure,
diabetes, sleep apnea, GERD, and any other medical problems your weight is
causing or contributing to. also list diets that you have tried in the
past. it is also good to have a great knowledge of the surgery and know the
possible complications. let your doctor know that you are whilling to make
the lifelong changes you need to make in order for the surgery to be
successful like: diet changes, exercise, etc. and be prepared for the long
process some insurances require like a supervised wt loss plan for 6 months
(get that started on this doctor visit by having them weigh you and take
your measurements. have them calculate your BMI and have them document all
that in your file- they also need to discuss a wt loss plan and start you
on a diet and then you need to go once a month and be weighed) Good luck, I
had RNY about 2 mo ago and would do it again in a heartbeat!!! hope this
helps... email me anytime. Holly Carson
— RNlvnCARSON
November 29, 2007
first i would make sure you assure him/her that you have done your research
on the lap-band. basically how i started the conversation was "
listen, i was doing alot of research and have spoken to several people
about something. its the lap -band. i feel it would be in my best interest
to have this procedure done" make sure you have some info in case he
is not familiar with it.
good luck
— JACKIESMOM
November 29, 2007
I went in scared too, thinking I would have to explain myself. I basically
went in because I needed haelp scheduling the preliminary tests requested
done by my surgeon and found out my doctor was all for the surgery! In fact
REALLY encoraging and told me he had many patients opting for weight loss
surgery! This really assured me I had made the right choice in deciding on
him for my pcp!!!! I think he was more excited for me than I was! So, I
guess bottom line is don't worry, it's what you want and your pcp may even
just surprise YOU!
— Toni Todd
November 29, 2007
hi holly, I agree with everyone. Just like my mom always said: be prepared
for anything. the night before the appt, write all possible scenarios and
your answers. think about how hard your life has been til now. think about
how great it will be once you have had that surgery and you have more
control over your life. Believe me, it's the best thing, and remember there
are a lot of us out there that have had either the rny or the lap and we
are all behind you 100%! good luck!!
— tarazerm
November 29, 2007
Holly, just do your research and if this is what you really want to do,
just tell him. Make sure he is aware of all the attempts you have made in
past to lose weight and discuss openly your concerns about your weight. In
my opinion the PCP is there to work for and with you to get healthy. It is
your body and his personal opinion about WLS shouldn't affect his decision
to give you a referral to a surgeon. The surgeon is the one who should
direct you to the appropriate surgery since this is his specialty. If your
PCP doesn't agree to give you a referral for a consult with the surgeon, I
would find another PCP. I too was a little nervous when I approached my PCP
but he was very cooperative and has gone above and beyond getting all
referrals done for the various pre-op testing. Good luck to you.
— LOOKINTOLOSE
November 29, 2007
Well first off you don't ASK for the surgery, you tell your physician this
is what you've decided and you would like his/her support. If they can't
give it; don't know much about the surgery; however, are willing to become
more educated on the surgery -- keep the primary care. If they are not
willing to learn more about the surgery and refuse to be supportive -- get
you another primary care physician. You've researched the procedure,
attended the information seminars and now the next step -- the referral.
So go in, pull up your confidence and tell the Doctor what you've decided.
— the7thdean
November 30, 2007
I think it depends on the relationship you've built with your doctor. I
don't know how long you have been with your PCP but my doctor was aware of
all the attempts I've had at weight loss because he was involved (or at
least knew) about all of them. He has always taken a conservative approach
to weight loss (no prescription meds or fad diets) but was always very
supportive when I would join a group, like Weight Watchers, or tried
nutritional counseling. When I told him that I was at the end of my rope
with dieting and WLS seemed to be the answer for me, he was willing to
listen. After he was convinced that I was serious and ready to make the
commitment, he was ready to support me. If you have a good relationship
with your doctor, just talk to him/her. I'm sure you'll find they are
willing to help you do whatever you need them to do to give you a
healthier life.
— Kathy H.
December 2, 2007
Just to reiterate what someone else said, if, by chance, your PCP is not
WLS friendly and refuses to refer you, you just have to switch to another
PCP, Okay? That's all there is to it. Call around or ask others from your
state board, who to go see who is WLS friendly.Got it?
— KRWaters
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