Question:
What if the Dr. I saw wouldn't give me a referral?
The Dr. that I was seeing about 4 years ago who was excellent about trying to help me with my weight loss unexpectedly past away a while back. Since then I have had a hard time finding someone who understands the pain and frustration of dieting. I recently had picked a new Dr. whom I have only seen twice before. I went to see her today to see if she would give me a referral and she wouldn't. Instead, she referred to me to another diet. I burst into tears because as I know, all of you know how dieting has worked for us in the past. I know I qualify, I weigh 250 pounds, my ENTIRE family has diabetes, high blood pressure, my father died of a heart attack at age 51, and with my last pregnacy, (my baby is now 9 months old), I had gestational diabetes, so I know my time is running short for avoiding more serious health problems than I already have. Help, now what do I do? — Cathy H. (posted on November 8, 2003)
November 7, 2003
The answer is very simple: FIND ANOTHER DOC!!!!!!!!. From what you have
written, you most likely will qualify. Good luck.
— Delores S.
November 7, 2003
Cathy,
I am so sorry I know how frustrating it is.. But you need to find another
doc. Also make sure you go in with info stats on wls, tell of your family
history, everything that would show that this is the right decision. Hang
in there and search for a wls friendly doc. Good Luck and ((((Hugs))))
— hillafb U.
November 7, 2003
I agree with the previous posters - find another PCP...JR
— John Rushton
November 7, 2003
Cathy, You need to find a supportive doctor not a controlling one who
thinks they can fix you with another diet. My internist was in favor of me
having surgery because he knew I had tried many things and was extremely
successful at losing but not maintaining. He assumed I would get a banded
procedure and was shocked when he found out it was an RNY because it's so
drastic. Fortunately je still supported me and has made it clear he will
be there for me and work with my situation.
<p>Recently a friend, who has the same internist, decided to have
surgery and he was pushing his liquid diet program, which he has yet to get
going again, but when she said this is what she wanted he did not stand in
her way and refuse a referral. So even though this surgery isn't his first
choice he still does support us in our decision to have it. In my opinion
that's the PCP's role. They are not GOD and know what is and isn't right
for us.
<p>Call the surgeon's office and find out some of the doctor's they
usually work with and who their pateints have. That's the easiest way to
find a WLS supportive PCP.
— zoedogcbr
November 7, 2003
I dont know what type of insurance you have.. I for one had a PPO and DID
NOT need a referral - I just called the surgeons office and made the
appointment. IF your with an HMO that requires referrals, I would look on
here for people that have had surgery that have your insurance and find otu
who they used as their PCP and then change...
— star .
November 8, 2003
Look up people in your area on this site. Email them and ask them their who
their Primary Care Dr. was. Then go with that person.
I took a chance with a new Dr. I walked into his office with a two page
Excel spreadsheet detailing every diet I had been on from the time I was
12. I estimated my mother spent $5000 trying to get me to lose weight
between 12-18 and I spent $10,000 from 18-30. He would have referred me
anyway, but I think the information helped seal the deal.
— mrsmyranow
November 8, 2003
Just wanted to tell you...DON'T GIVE UP! No matter how discouraged you get,
someone on this site will continue to support you! Do NOT let an ignorant
doctor (who despite her medical degree, is NOT God!) stand in your way!
— kathy B.
November 8, 2003
Simple.....you just tell your PCP that is what you came for and if he wont
give it to you you will find a PCP who will and wouldn't he rather keep you
and you family as patients and just write the referral? That is how I put
it to my Dr. and I had the referral in 48 hours.
— Sarah S.
November 8, 2003
Hi Cathy- Sorry you had such a bad experience with your PCP! I finally
found a great doc but it was purely luck :o) I agree with the posters who
said to call your surgeon and ask for a WLS-friendly PCP. Also, if you
check in the "peers" section of this site and find some folks in
your area, maybe you could ask them who they're using as their PCP? Please
don't let this unsympathetic PCP get you down! Maybe HMO's or insurance
co's are paying her NOT to allow WLS? Good Luck :o) Mea
— Mea A.
November 9, 2003
That's easy, call your surgeon and ask them to give you a name of a PCP
they have worked with that they know is WLS supportive.
Also ask the people in your local support groups in your area.
Good Luck, and don't give up!
— Michele B.
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