Question:
Can I go directly to a surgeon?

My PCP is so unhelpful and wants me to try another diet/excersise program.I just switched to her last year after moving back to the area, and cannot seem to convince her that all my previous attempts failed.She says" of course they fail if you dont stick with them".Maybe it is a personal failure but I've been on a diet since age 5 and I can't stand it anymore! I've decided to change doctors and my first appointment with her is upcoming - But I'm nervous that she too will want to watch me try and fail a few times before being convinced that surgery is an appropriate measure.Willthe insurance company be suspicious of all the doctor changing?I've moved all around and so have had a number of different PCPs.    — Stephanie H. (posted on June 7, 2001)

June 7, 2001
I was never referred to my surgeon by a PCP. I went thru a Program called New Start. I found the phone number, called it, and they did all the paperwork, submitted to the insurance, and scheduled the appointments with the surgeon, Dr. Yates, who was affiliated with the program. I just filled out the paperwork that the New Start Program sent to me and sent it back to them. They submitted to my insurance and they approved within 3 working days. Took me about 6 weeks from my first phone call to my surgery. So I do know that you can go directly to the surgeon without being referred. Hope this helps!
   — nealp

June 7, 2001
Stephanie, I know how you feel but first off alot of insurances (if this is how you are paying) do not like it when you jump around.. they want some kind of consistent (I believe 11 months?) of medical observation of trying to lose weight) I just returned from a seminar that my surgeon gives and he too, wants some kind of medical show of attempt... (they dont realize that a good amount of our lives have been a attempt)But what I did was go into my Primary Physician with a written format... how long I have been trying.. diets, medication and attempts I have tried, family medical history run down, and my medical history run down... this was attached to my referral and I have been approved for 3 OP visits. Good luck.. is pattern has been going on all our lives)
   — rinkadinktx

June 7, 2001
I requested help in selecting a PCP directly from a WLS surgeon's office. We recently moved to a different state and I wanted to establish myself with a PCP who was supportive of WLS. The surgeon's office had me fax them a list of PCPs on my provider network and they called me back with several choices of physicians who refer patients to their office. This might be something for you to consider. Good luck.
   — Benita W.

June 7, 2001
I am in a situation similiar to yours. I have not been to a doc in three years and i swithced to a new insurance. I called and picked out a PCP, went to see him and started crying and gave an award winning performance., he sniffled to. He gave me the referral. I also called the surgeon that I have already picked out and asked the nurse for a good PCP that works with them alot. They gave me 4. If my PCP had of said no, I would have switched to one of them. Don't stop, keep going!!
   — Courtney W.

June 7, 2001
Like was posted previously, it depends on your insurance. Most surgeons know which PCPs are going to support the surgery and which ones won't. It is worth the call. I have BC/BS PPO and went straight to the surgeon. He gave me a PCP to see for my pre op tests but that was all I needed to get down 165 pounds. I am 18 months post op and feel like a new woman.
   — S S.

June 7, 2001
I know how you feel. I finally got a PCP, after two doctors (one of which said go down to 400 calories when I could not lose on 1100 calories in 16 weeks and refused to acknowledge that some people are actually afflicted with an extremely slow metabolism, which is basically a very slow resting rate. The next one told me I was predisposed to obesity and it doesn't matter what I eat (or don't eat for that matter). No, you have to switch to a physician and keep switching until you find one whom you are comfortable with, and who can stand to hear the sound of someone else's voice besides their own and actually HEARS you. There used to be a time when you paid someone for a service, that their function was to please you, not the other way around. It took twelve years after being a person who worked out, ate nutritious foods, watched fat intake (okay, sometimes I went overboard as does any one of my 120 pound friends who eat about 3-400 calories more than I and has less energy than myself), over a hundred pounds later, for someone to say, oh, yes, it is possible to gain weight even if you are not overeating. Even if you are overeating, these doctors have to get to the underlying reasons, and not reprimand but encourage and even sniffle a little with you. The days of compassion are not over. It's just harder to find. Search, Search, and Search. Keep documented records of conversations with doctors. Remember, your switching to PAY someone for their experties is your right. The fact that a doctor has an MD does not automatically ensure that he/she is competent, as in any other profession. In the meantime, if you have to switch doctors again, make sure you let he or she know that you are not in the market to be set up to fail again, and he or she needs to come up with something better than weight watchers. also keep a daily log and don't kill yourself on the calories as much as your fat intake. Even though I am obese, I do feel that eating nutritious foods is at least helping me not have to cope with the comorbidities that come with obesity and does help me with energy throughout the day so try to keep fat intake to under 30 percent. In other words, 1800 calories consumed should consist no more than 600 calories of fat content, and it's best to distribute it over three to five meals someone evenly, although that requires a lot of attention. Sorry to be so long-winded, but I too am tired of doctors' ignorance of obesity. Finally, there's been a lot of research done in our favor, but most are old school and haven't a clue on how the basic metabolism works, let alone are qualified to give advice on weight loss and the trials and tribulations of weight loss. So, you go and interview as many PCPs as you want. It's your life. It's your money (or insurance), and it's your time. MDs are there for you, not the other way around. Good luck and stay with your search and post. I hope this helps you. Mi
   — Mi R.

June 8, 2001
I found my surgeon on this site. I called and made an appointment. I then went to my first appointment with my new PCP. I was new in the area. I told him I had already booked an appointment with the surgeon. He said he didn't think I was a candidate (360) but I should talk to the surgeon to get all the facts. After I talked to the surgeon he sent letters to my PCP stating what he needed from the PCP. My PCP called me in to give him a history of my prior diets. He never asked for doctor names ... just dates. I got home and remembered several things I had forgotten and was amazed when I was approved on the first try. Good luck!
   — [Anonymous]