Question:
has anyones doctor had them do this

i finally was able to see my PCP, and he would give me the referral to the surgeon 3 months after i tried some medicine that they give diabetics (which i am not) and made sure that my psych meds arent causing wieght gain. Im so irritated because i have been tested for diabetes 5 times and my psych meds do not cause weight gain!!So basiclly i cant loose any weight for 3 months!!    — Octavia M. (posted on June 11, 2003)

June 11, 2003
I would suggest finding a WLS friendly PCP.
   — Barbara S.

June 11, 2003
Sounds to me like your pcp does not REALLY want you to have wls, I'm with the previous poster. Find a new pcp ASAP.
   — gloriafb

June 11, 2003
Octavia... your PCP is probably talking about a med called Glucaphage. I am not diabetic either, but it was given to me because I have elevated insulin (by the way probably 100% of all MO people have elevated insulin). Insulin is a FAT STORING HORMONE. When we eat carbs (white carbs) it turns directly to sugar and insulin is required in order to break it down. I found all this out when my doctor put me on it 3 years ago. I also went on the Atkins diet (which I do think is a very good eating plan). My insulin levels came down drastically and so did my weight. However, you cannot stay on glucaphage forever without liver damage, so what are you to do long term??? I gained a good bit of my Atkins weight back when simply coming off the diet. I said all that to say this... the medication does work for insulin resistance as well as diabetes and people do lose weight with it. But do yourself a favor and skip this if you can, and find a WLS friendly PCP that will refer you now.
   — Happy I.

June 11, 2003
While I agree it's important to have a doc who is supportive, just to look at the other side of the coin, do you think he could possibly be making you try these other things because he knows the insurance will require evidence that you tried to lose weight by other means?? If you try these things for three months and don't lose significant weight, it will help your case when it comes to approval, and since many insurance companies are geting more strict, it may be helpful... I don't blame you for being discouraged, but just wanted to try to find the positive side of it...good luck to you. A note of caution on glucophage... a very high percentage of people who take it have severe diahrrea and vomiting while adjusting to it (I did and had to stop)...if that happens, ask to be started on only a very small dose and gradually work up to the correct amount.
   — Kelly B.

June 11, 2003
If you have already chosen the WLS surgeon that you would like to see, you should call them and ask for a recommendation for a WLS friendly PCP that they have had a positive experience working with. I know that a lot of PCP's still believe that weight loss is simply a matter of will and think that weight watchers is the ultimate answer. Just a word of caution, to not waste time on an unreasonable PCP, there are quite a lot of fish in the pond, find one that agrees with your perspective!
   — David F.

June 12, 2003
I don't think your PCP is being unreasonable. His/her job is not to be a "yes man" and go along with anything you say, but to determine from a physical/medical standpoint what is best for you. My PCP also asked me to try diabetes meds before I was technically diabetic, because she was sure I was on my way, based on some lab tests she had run. Well the pills caused lots of diarrhea so I stopped it, but it was just a few years later that I was finally diagnosed with diabetes. I know 3 months seems like a long time, but since your doc is agreeing to your referral, only asking you to have this issue worked out first, I think you should consider him as looking out for your best interest, not trying to foil your plans.
   — bethybb