PCPs and WLS patients

zann50
on 10/2/15 8:02 am

Does anyone have a PCP who has multiple WLS patients? I am seeking a physician (Interal Medicine) familar with the different surgeries. It seems like my current one does not understand why I request vitamin levels be checked along with other minutia.

She also believes with VSG the intestines are rerouted? Yes, I have attempted to educate her, but each visit she continues to ask the same questions. I have recently relocated and not had much luck when I Google search for info...if the word bariatric is used, it comes up with loads of surgeons.

Any suggestions?

Tracy D.
on 10/2/15 8:12 am - Papillion, NE
VSG on 05/24/13

My PCP has several post-op WLS patients. She understands the need for labs and definitely understands the difference between tne various surgeries.

I would be just as uncomfortable as you with a doctor that doesn't "get it" and isn't even motivated enough to do her own research on the topic. Seriously...anyone can google this crap!

 Tracy  5'3"     HW: 235  SW: 218  CW: 132    M1: -22  M2: -13  M3: -12  M4: -9  M5: -8   M6: -10   M7: -4

 Goal reached in 7 months and 1 week

 Lower Body Lift w/Dr. Barnthouse 7-8-15

   

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

iloveravens
on 10/2/15 8:17 am
RNY on 08/13/14

Does your insurance allow you to see an endocrinologist? I see one regularly due to underactive thyroid and he gladly listens and orders any tests I want at any time. My PCP doesn't know much about WLS either.

Lanie; Age: 43; Surgery Date (VSG): 8/12/14 w/complications resulting in RNY next day;

Height: 5' 6" SW: 249 Comfort Zone: 135-140 CW: 138 (10/13/17)

M1: -25 lbs M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -7 M5: -11 M6: -10 M7: -7 M8: -7 M9: -3 M10: -8 M11: -4 M12: -4

5K PR - 24:15 (4/23/16) First 10K - 53:30 (10/18/15)

zann50
on 10/2/15 8:28 am

Thank you ladies for your responses. An Endocrinologist might be the place to start. I too have hypothyroidism. My Synthroid has been dropped from 200mcg daily to now 112mcg all in nine months. This too, seems to puzzle her?

I am in the Atlanta area where a lot of WLS is performed. I called my new surgeon's office and his staff is not so user friendly. But, I may ask them again for a referral for Endocrinologist instead of Internal Med.

Again, this site is so responsive and helpful?

Tracy D.
on 10/2/15 9:51 am - Papillion, NE
VSG on 05/24/13

I should have stated that my PCP is an internist so she sees a lot of patients with Type II diabetes, older patients, overweight patients, etc. Probably why she's so up WL surgeries. She's the one *****ferred me to my WL surgeon.

 Tracy  5'3"     HW: 235  SW: 218  CW: 132    M1: -22  M2: -13  M3: -12  M4: -9  M5: -8   M6: -10   M7: -4

 Goal reached in 7 months and 1 week

 Lower Body Lift w/Dr. Barnthouse 7-8-15

   

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

iloveravens
on 10/2/15 10:29 am
RNY on 08/13/14

I am an hour north of Atlanta (in Canton, GA). My endo is Dr. Jason Berner, he's fabulous.

Lanie; Age: 43; Surgery Date (VSG): 8/12/14 w/complications resulting in RNY next day;

Height: 5' 6" SW: 249 Comfort Zone: 135-140 CW: 138 (10/13/17)

M1: -25 lbs M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -7 M5: -11 M6: -10 M7: -7 M8: -7 M9: -3 M10: -8 M11: -4 M12: -4

5K PR - 24:15 (4/23/16) First 10K - 53:30 (10/18/15)

zann50
on 10/2/15 12:50 pm
On October 2, 2015 at 5:29 PM Pacific Time, iloveravens wrote:

I am an hour north of Atlanta (in Canton, GA). My endo is Dr. Jason Berner, he's fabulous.

Thank you for offering your physician by name:)

 

  Zann

VGS- 2015

Sharon SW-267
GW-165 CW-167 S.

on 10/2/15 9:59 am - PA
RNY on 12/22/14

Having the same trouble with a colonoscopy. And I know I was not his first post-WLS patient. I will need to find another doctor before I have to go back in 5 years.

I can see my surgeon once a year and he will order the proper tests - but I also need to find a PCP that is knowledgeble about WLS and the long term watch-outs. (I am 9 months out.)

I would hope that the ASMBS (largest national society for bariatric surgery) reaches out to their PCP peers and does more education with them. I used the search function on the OH website but there were no PCPs listed in my area - you might check there.

Sharon

zann50
on 10/2/15 12:56 pm

Yes, with the bariatric community ever increasing, you would think the specialty groups would be avaliable with ease of locating.

Good luck!

 

  Zann

VGS- 2015

Citizen Kim
on 10/2/15 1:47 pm - Castle Rock, CO
On October 2, 2015 at 4:59 PM Pacific Time, Sharon0055 wrote:

Having the same trouble with a colonoscopy. And I know I was not his first post-WLS patient. I will need to find another doctor before I have to go back in 5 years.

I can see my surgeon once a year and he will order the proper tests - but I also need to find a PCP that is knowledgeble about WLS and the long term watch-outs. (I am 9 months out.)

I would hope that the ASMBS (largest national society for bariatric surgery) reaches out to their PCP peers and does more education with them. I used the search function on the OH website but there were no PCPs listed in my area - you might check there.

Fascinated. What problem with colonoscopy?

Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist

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