Question:
I know im a candidate, but my Dr. wont refer me....
i'm 5'3" and weigh 284 lbs i have acid reflux and a very extensive family history for diabetes, heart disease,high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. i'm 26 years old and have tried nearly everything and i'm at my wits end! my [new] Dr. didn't listen to any of my concerns, was not interested in my medical history and dismissed my suggestion of seeing a bariatric surgeon to discuss options! im so frustruated!! i was told instead that i should try diet & exercise, he spoke as though i've never tried dieting before. anybody know of a doctor in or near conyers, GA that is a little more open minded??? — Amanda T. (posted on April 22, 2008)
April 22, 2008
I'm sorry, but I'm not from your area so I can't help with your
question...BUT, I was 5'3, 274lbs when I got the lap-band surgery. I was
33 then and had no conditions either except for family history. I went
straight to a bariatric doctor. You might want to try there first and ask
them if they know of any doctors to refer you to. I'm sure they can help.
With the lap-band I've lost 70 lbs in the last 7 months, but I'm currently
pregnant so I had to stop the weight loss for right now. Good luck.
[email protected]
— srhedger
April 22, 2008
I pretty much ran into this same attitude with my PC I had to beg her and
that was when I was on Medicade What type of insurance do u have? do u need
a refural? With Medicare u do not. I would find another Doc. I got that
same attitude also. Like we do not know we need to loose weight. Hang in
their. Hopefully u will find a Doctor that is carring and respectful to
your feelings. I drive 3 hours to see my Doc maybe you can find someone
else if you travel a little. Take care Tammi
— Tammi Sandoval
April 22, 2008
I assume you have insurance. Call up the patient service office (in charge
of patient problems) and explain the problem to them. Tell them your
details about health history and your doctor's attitude. They should be
able to help you.
— Dave Chambers
April 22, 2008
Sorry that happened to you. Get a new dr!
I had the DS- why dont you check out Duodenalswitch.com. I believe Dr Smith
is in Marrietta. Many have travelled for the DS and for me, it is so worth
it! I am almost 4 years post op now.
I chose the DS because I Wanted a surgery that has the least chance of
long-term re-gain, is BEST at curing
Diabetes (98%+),
removes much of the hunger hormone Ghrelin, NO DUMPING, NO MARGINAL ULCERS
and NO STOMA / STRICTURES, I chose the Duodenal Switch surgery.
Do investigate all the options. I wanted my system to still operate the
same which is why I chose to keep my pyloric valve intact with the DS.
DuodenalSwitch.com
With the DS: there is no stoma, so no stoma strictures; there are no
limitations (other than volume) against drinking before, during or after
meals; 80% of ingested fat is malabsorbed, allowing liberal use of eggs,
butter, mayonaisse, healthy oils, marbled meats, cheese, etc., in the diet;
98.9% of type II diabetics are CURED of this devastating disease, with data
showing stable cure over 10 years out; there is the best average weight
loss and most durable (average 76% excess weight loss going out 10 years)
of all of the bariatric surgeries. That's why I had a DS!
— SameButDifferent
April 22, 2008
My doctor never suggested it. I called my insurance company to find out
if they cover the surgery and what center of excellence they approve. I
made an appointment with the bariatric surgeon and called my primarys
office to make the referral. she did it.
It's not up th your primary to deny you! Its up to your insurance. Get
the facts about the surgery in hand and have a conversation like.
"ok Doc..I obviously have gained more information on the procedure and
the statistics than you have and this is what I am going to try to have
done. All I am asking for is an insurance referral for a consult...yes or
no? If he says no get bigger.
— [Deactivated Member]
April 22, 2008
hi there- take it from a retired md- me, and a 4 year post op RNY- they
cannot refuse you, you run the show when you want a referral- they can him
and haw around, but in the end, you are in control of your own medical
treatment. If you have an HMO, call customer service- if you work for a
medical facility, or a hospital, go to the top dog and complain, if all
else fails, change doctors. Good luck Cindi 3.24.04 - 230#
— DollyDoodles
April 22, 2008
Many GP's are uneducated about RYN. Also if they haven't had a weight
problem themselves then they also do not know. Remember they are just
human. My Cardiologist was very interested in MY results because of his
mother needing to do something. He even called my surgeon on his own for
her. If he is that dis-interested I think I would get a new doctor whether
you have the surgery or not. There are a lot of wonderful doctors out
there, it is too bad that the few that are ego filled ruin it for the ones
that really care.
— Claudia C.
April 22, 2008
My doctor never suggested it. I called my insurance company to find out
if they cover the surgery and what center of excellence they approve. I
made an appointment with the bariatric surgeon and called my primarys
office to make the referral. she did it.
It's not up th your primary to deny you! Its up to your insurance. Get
the facts about the surgery in hand and have a conversation like.
"ok Doc..I obviously have gained more information on the procedure and
the statistics than you have and this is what I am going to try to have
done. All I am asking for is an insurance referral for a consult...yes or
no? If he says no get bigger.
I am a bit older ( say twice! ) as you so I have probably got even more
pent up frusteration but I swear to God I wished they had something like
this for me earlier...It's life saving stuff and you deserve it!
Have another crack at this doctor with facts in hand and maybe even barrage
him with statistics.. ( these can be got from your surgeon of choice...your
choice too...they all have info sessions)
My first attempt with my doc I went in all shy and needy and she said no.
the second time I was armed and dangerous about the process and she had no
choice but to refer me...Now the ball is rolling and it is all going just
fine...Like husbands i think you need to train them...I hope that is the
case with you.
Don't give up whatever you do! TRAIN THE GUY IF YOU CAN...iTS YOUR LIFE
AND YOUR DECISION!!!!
— [Deactivated Member]
April 22, 2008
I've worked in a doc's office, though not Bariatric, for several years.
It's important that you know you have the right to demand that your doctor
take your request for a referal seriously. That doesn't mean that he'll
write you a referal without asking some questions first, or that he wont
require you to do some pre-referal work (like trying a diet regime). But
it does mean you shouldn't feel like he's not listening to you at all! You
also have the right to demand a different doctor, one that wil take you
seriously, if this one does not. The doctor is there FOR YOU, not the
other way around. If he brushes you off, doesn't understand you, or if you
simply do not like him, then find another doctor. It's your right. Good
luck, and don't lose hope!
— lulabeth
April 22, 2008
Your near Atlanta so check out the surgeons on this web site in that area
and talk to and got to their seminarys. Pick your own sergeon that will
wall the issue through your insurance. I went to and still go to Dr.
Siddiq in Austell. He speclizes in Diabities. He was reluctant for many
years, until a few of his patients had RNY surgery and got rid of
Diabities. I was one of them. He is always happy to see someone succeed.
He has seem me for over 25 years, even though I have not lived in Atlanta
for nearly 20 years now. He knew my history and has always worked with me.
He also has an ofice in Symrnia at Adventest Emery Hospital. My surgeon
in Florida got all my history fought with my insurance and had the RNY
surgery himself, so I was no talking to someone that did not know what it
is to be overweight. He jokes about the doctors that say"Just push
back from the table". Best of success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
April 22, 2008
How unfortunate...your Doc has put himself up on that medicinal pedestal
that seems to be oblivious to the true nature of healing...being obese
hurts physically & emotionally...lose him or her, FAST...I am not from
your area...but if I hear I will let you know...you are DEFINITELY a
candidate...I was your weight @ 5'6" with no serious medical history
and my doctor Blaine Nease didn't hesitate...he is the GREATEST Bariatric
Surgeon in the world and if you could afford to travel to Huntington,
WV...you should...it is worth being treated like a precious human being who
is suffering, not just another patient...keep your head up...it is great on
the lighter side of life! Samantha :)
— Samantha M.
April 22, 2008
I know how you feel. I am in the same situation. Luckily I was in a
chatroom on yahoo and a lady from my area told me of a dr that does refer
you for surgery. Granite i have to wait another month but I hope he does
help me. I will pray that you find a good doctor. Feel free to email me
anytime!
— bamagirl642
April 22, 2008
I was in the same position three years ago. My PCP had every excuse in the
book for not referring me. Then I needed to see a doctor on a day when she
didn't have any openings and ended up seeing another doctor in the same
practice. I asked him how he felt about WLS, and he was all for it.
Needless to say, I switched primary's that day! In my opinion, forcing your
doctor to give you a referral is not the answer. You need a primary doctor
who will support your decision, not just grudgingly accept it. I had my
surgery in Feb 2006 and have been in the 125-131 range for about one year.
— packrat
April 22, 2008
You are paying that doc, FIRE him and get a new PCP. Yes you may have to
do a diet for insurance reasons, but you need a PCP who is on your side,
not fighting you.
— MAG
April 23, 2008
Hello Amanda....I thought since we are around the same age, I can offer
some words of wisdom for you. My best advice regarding your doctor is...
SWITCH! I had this problem when I first started researching the surgery
with my then doc and I got rid of them and found a great doc who stood
behind me because it was my decision and he thoughtt that I was an
excellent candidate. Ultimately, the decision to have GBS is yours, and in
my opinion, your doctor is either against the surgery all together or he
simply does not have your best interest at heart. I had RNY 6/15/05 at age
27 and for me it was the best decision I ever made. I went into surgery @
240 lbs and have been very successful, losing 120 lbs, with no
complications. Now, I only wish I had the money for plastic surgery, which
doesn't come cheap of course. I know I will have it someday, just not soon
enough for me. :)
I hope you will find a new doc who will support you because it is your life
and your struggle and I don't think any doc has the right to make the
decision for you just because they don't agree with the surgery. I wish you
the best of luck on your journey and if you need any more words of
wisdom...lol please feel free to contact me.
— sassychick247
April 23, 2008
This is a difficult attitude to get past from medical professionals who
have no concept behind the mental aspects of obesity. My doctor never
thought I was really fat. I'm 5'1" and weighed 240 lbs when I
started this process. I went to the informational meeting on Bariatric
Surgery and made my appointment to get into the program from there. I then
informed my doctor the next time I saw him. I also asked for a support
letter, which I eventually received. If you can't get support from your
doctor there are many out there who do support surgery, I would get new
doctor who is interested in your health not collecting your insurance
money.
— yankeefan75
April 23, 2008
I am so sorry. I am assuming you have a HMO that you need a referral? I
would contact your insurance company and find out if you need a referral
for Baratics. If you don't you can request your medical records in writing
to be sent to a facility in your area. I am 5'2 244 and HP and Asthma. You
can email me one on one if you want at [email protected]
Tammy
— tayee24
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