Question:
my pcp not surgery friendly

i have been seeing my current pcp for awhile. although I like him,he has NEVER recommended RNY surg for me even though my bmi is 42,i've been >100 lbs overwieght forever, have hypertention,and my knees kill me! did anyone else have this problem? did you change pcp's?    — Cindy T. (posted on April 17, 2003)

April 17, 2003
You say he hasn't recommended it - have you told him of your strong interest in it? I'm witha PCP now who strongly recommends it for folks like me. I had a PCP before him, (she left the practice) who didn't know much about it and didn't discourage me, but wanted me to try other avenues instead. I did, then I had to do the homework to give her info. It's much easier now! Maybe he's just not familiar enough with the surgery. Get info about surgeons, etc and present it to him. Maybe he'll surprise you. Good luck!
   — JoSyrNY

April 17, 2003
mine wasn't/isn't either when i asked the first time i got turned down by the medical group. i waited a whole year later and asked again, this time i was approved. yeah. even if you pcp doesn't sujest it doesn't mean it can't happen. ASK HIM point blank yourself. if he says know find another pcp. best luck, kimberly open distal rny 11/12/02 -80lbs
   — kimberly T.

April 17, 2003
Did your PCP actually say he/she would not recommend the surgery? If so, I think I would get a second opinion. Sometimes PCP's don't want to recommend a procedure that they consider risky. If you go fo a second opinion, you might want to take your medical file with you.
   — Jane S.

April 17, 2003
I always strongly believed that many pcp's are not educated enough about this. Mine was not for it, I think she felt like she failed me as my doctor because she tried everything to get me to loose the weight. After a few months she gave in and gave me the name of my WLS doctor. 6 months later I saw my pcp and she almost fell over, she asked me soooooo many questions, and said she was so happy for me. Take care and good luck. RNY 9/02 was 213 now 137.
   — April G.

April 17, 2003
I would talk to him about the surgery before anything else. Most doctors don't just recccomend it without you bringing it up first, unless you are extremely overwight. My doctor said there was no way she would reccomend anyone for the surgery, I should just keep trying everything else, then go to overeaters anonymous. YA RIGHT! So, I changed PCP. The surgeons office might be able to give you some names of WLS friendly docs. Good luck
   — Sandy H.

April 17, 2003
Yes, until I switched out of the Hmo. Then because it didn't affect her company as much she wrote a letter to recommend it, but when I was in the HMO she wouldn't do anything about it. Go figure. I didn't switch PCP's I just switched insurance comanies through my work.
   — Derbygirl

April 17, 2003
Over the years, I mentioned to my PCP different drugs that were on the market and he would always say the best way to lose the weight is to diet and exercise and not give me prescriptions. Well, last year, I was terrified to mention that I'd found a surgeon that does RNY and would he give me a referral. I've been going to my PCP for 12 years, but was ready to change doctors if he gave me a problem. He gave me the referral no problem. It turns out I am his first patient to have WLS and he's really excited about seeing my progress. Before I mentioned it to him, though, he never brought it up with me. It doesn't hurt to ask and if he says no, well, I wouldn't want to be a patient of a doctor that didn't put my health first. Good luck to you.
   — Yolanda J.

April 17, 2003
My insurance did not require a referral and to this day my pcp does not know I had wls. he was left out of the loop completely. my surgeon has his own team and he sends us to the internist for clearance and to get any medical tests we need. (the same everyone has). If your pcp is unsupportive he still has to give you, your medical records if required by your surgeon or insurance. But if you do need a referral (and I would make sure of this) then get a new pcp. A lot of people on here ASSUME they need referrals and letters from pcp's when they don't.
   — Delores S.

April 17, 2003
My pCPs physician assistant was MO or clse to it. She tried the diet drugs and discouraged me, then later reported heart abnormaltuies. Her anti drug may have saved my life. She left the practice a year or two before I got WLS. I am going to ask for her contact info. It would be nice to talk to karen, and WLS might be useful for her.
   — bob-haller

April 19, 2003
If your insurance company requires a referral from your PCP and your PCP isn't supportive, find another PCP ASAP. Don't waste your time with an unsupportive PCP.
   — Karen T.

April 19, 2003
My PCP told me I "obviously" had no control over myself and that surgery wouldn't fix that! I found another Doctor who has helped me out alot in the last 4 months. I am on my way to getting through the insurance mess toward surgery! Find someone who will help you.
   — Rissa G.

Click Here to Return