Question:
Can someone please help me write a letter for my Surgeon

I will be seeing a surgeon probably next month, and I would like to have a letter written of why I want this surgery, all my issues with being obese, and the positives after...along with my understanding of the risk involved, I am not good at putting words together, is there a couple sample letters out there??? please help...Shari [email protected]    — Shari V. (posted on March 25, 2002)

March 25, 2002
Before surgery, I spent a lot of time writing one of these letters to my surgeon. Big waste of time. He already knew I needed the surgery and agreed with me. It was the insurance company I needed to convince! Even if you spend time writing a big 'ole letter, your surgeon will likely glance at it for a few seconds and throw it in your file, never to be seen again. Save your energy for the insurance fight.
   — Terissa R.

March 25, 2002
I have to agree with Terissa, even though I have not had my surgery consult yet. Think of it this way. If the doctor sees even 8 patients a day (a very conservative number, I think) and each of them writes a long letter, when does he have the time to read them all? He probably doesn't and, like Terissa says, they will go into your file and never be seen again.
   — garw

March 25, 2002
I am sorry but I have to disagree with the previous posters. Even though I did not need to write a letter to my surgeon, I think it's a great idea. I think that the letter will serve as a wonderful way to outline the reasons why you are going in for the surgery and also (perhaps more importantly) what your expectations are. I think that in the process, you will inevitable learn a lot about yourself. Now as to whether or not the doctor takes it seriously, I would not be willing to take the chance of not doing my homework! Must be the teacher in my, huh?
   — Jeannet

March 25, 2002
Hi Shari, I had my PCP send a letter to my surgeon recommending the surgery. I didn't keep a copy of the letter, but it should go something like this. "Shari has been a patient of mine for the past ___ years and has tried numerios diets, inlcuding ___, _____, etc. with no success. Due to her family health history of h.b. pressure, heart diseast, diabetes, etc. (whatever) I have recommended the possibility of gastric bypass surgery to prevent these conditions from occurring in her own life. I am sure I can count on your support.....something like that. I had mine all typed up and all the PCP had to do is sign it and send it on to my surgeon. Hope this will help.
   — blank first name B.

March 27, 2002
hi...my surgeon asked for a letter from my PCP and myself....It's to be given to his nurse when i see her....so i figure he has time somewhere in his busy schedule to read something into his patients private life....and i think any good doctor would want o know as much before hand as possible about the person he is gonna be dealing with...my PCP may be the exception but i never spend less than an hour with her...even if its just catching up on whats been going on in my life....so i figure since she recommended this guy he must be something special too
   — arabbit28