Question:
Asking PCP for referral to WL Surgeon

I see my PCP on Monday, as a follow up to my check up (complaint of tiredness, possible sleep apenea, he said he would refer me for a sleep test depending on what blood work shows). I have been practicing my conversation to ask my pcp for the referral to a WL Surgeon, and am a bit nervous. My BMI is 40 on the nose, I have documented MD supervised WL efforts (with a different dr, not this one), does anyone have any suggestions, comments of things to emphasis, areas not to approach with the PCP? I have printed out numerous articles on WL surgery to share with him, have written a resume of sorts outlining all my previous WL attempts to show him. But am still nervous, I realize he is my first (probably not last) hurdle to getting the insurance approval. Any and all comments, suggestions, are certinaly appreciated. Thanks All!    — Nene B. (posted on December 26, 2001)

December 26, 2001
You would be surprised hwo understanding your PCP COULD be... I went with a lady who was so prepaired to just tell her PCP that if the PCP didn\'t support her she was going to find a new one, and that \"she was doing it\" and all she had to do was tell the PCP she wanted it and she had her referral letter in a matter of days.. </p> I would think the better prepaired YOU are and the more research YOU\'ve done, the better any open minded PCP will take it. I can\'t tell though from your letter it sounds like you\'re asking for your doctor to chose your surgeon, and that should be something you do yourself.. in my case, my PCP was all for the surgery but didn\'t know a surgeon who done it, and he was really ready when he knew I\'d chosen my own.. Best of luck to you, hopefully it will lean to the better for you :)
   — Elizabeth D.

December 26, 2001
If your PCP is educated on WLS, he will not be a problem. However, just in case he\'s not familiar with the current surgeries, I suggest that you print off some articles on what RNY is, the recommendations for it, the statistics, etc. That way if he doesn\'t want to write the referral, you can give him the material and ask him to read the articles and reconsider. Some PCP\'s are only familiar with the old procedures, which had lots of failures and problems. New literature might help. Also, it will show the PCP that you have really done your homework and that your decision is NOT an impetus one. Also, work on getting your BMI a little higher. You can slump when your heighth is taken, wear heavy clothes, eat salty foods like pretzels and chinese food (MSG) the day before, drink a lot of water right before weighing, etc. I\'ve heard lots of creative approaches to getting the BMI a smidgeon over 40 to make the process easier. 5 pounds and one inch make a tremendous difference to leaping over the 40.0 BMI fence. Also, it helped me to have a typed history of my familly obesity problems and related health problems already typed up. I made it look like I was getting ready to keel over from genetic obesity-related problems.
   — [Anonymous]

December 26, 2001
I went to my PCP all prepared, had all my diet info, weight loss attempts and health history typed and asked him for a referral. He said to eat less and exercize more. (boo,hiss) So, my next step was to come here like you have done and ask for advise. The advise I was given was to call your surgeon\'s office and ask them for a list of PCP\'s that are empathetic to weight issues and WLS. It worked well for me, they set up appointments for me for the PCP, the dietician and for the psych evaluation. All I am waiting for now is the call from the surgeon. Good Luck and God\'s speed on your journey.
   — MaryAnn51

December 26, 2001
I am still pre-op but I went to my PCP with my letter already typed and the name of my surgen and she was glad to help. She didn\'t know alot about WLS but thought it would help me so she put my letter on her letterhead and signed it that day.
   — Helena B.