Question:
Any supportive primarycare MD's for WLS? - SJ to SSF BayArea

My husband's company just went with Lifeguard HMO, it doesn't sound like WLS through this insurance is a good prospect without legal aid, however I just got a position with ECH they have Blue Cross HMO or PPO available to me following three months of employment. Anyone know a good doc through BC PPO or ?lifeguard/ha,ha! I WOULD REALLY LIKE THE NAME OF A PLAN PRIMARY CARE DOC ASSOCIATED WITH MILLS/PENINSULA to help take me through this. Im determined to have this surgery so I can begin living a real life. Im a nurse and today in my orientation class we were required to use gaitbelts, I could barely get it around my girth, everyone else had tons of slack in their belt. I WAS HUMILIATED, but ofcourse I suppose I should be used to it by now. I almost did not even get the job I needed a medical clearance first from my medical group for my weight related plantar fascitis. We grin and bear our genetic predisposition as this is not a moral issue as documented in so many case studies, yet insurance and medicine treats it as though it is and will deny us the opportunity for a really great thing for our medical issue at the first chance they can because of the monetary issue as well. Sorry to go off like that but I get frustrated. Anybody out there in the BayArea BJ Klien, M. Skinner, Diane walmer who are your primary doc's?????    — Diana D. (posted on August 23, 1999)

August 23, 1999
I am going through Blue Cross PPO. My surgeon is Dr Wetter. He is at Mills Pennisula. HMOs are less likely to do it. Mary Skinner
   — mary S.

August 24, 1999
I would say your best bet is going with Blue Cross PPO. With the insurance I had which is a PPO I did not need a referral. My surgeron is Dr. Meyerowitz whom is an outstanding doctor. He has been doing this surgery for 22 years. He does his surgery at Peninsula Hospital. Hope this helps. Good Luck! :)
   — Becki M.

August 25, 1999
Well I would love to discuss my situation with you. You will find that we have so many things in common. I too have Blue Shield, just transferred from Kaiser. It took me 6 weeks to find a primary. However, he never referred anyone to WLS before. I started with Dr. Wetter (pronounced Vetter). He does this surgery all the time. His number is 650-342-4113. I know someone who just had the surgery. I believe she also had Lifeguard and had to pay for it herself. I will ask her about her primary. There is also a support group, I will email the info to you. Send me your address..at [email protected] hope this helps
   — Karmen P.