I love my "Sports Doctor"!!

 I've had a sports medicine doctor since I was a teen and had a very bad injury in high school. He's seen me through lots of injuries over the years and saves me from driving 75 miles to get my cortisone shot in  my ankle once a year, he works hand in hand with my orthopedic. Well, today I went to see him for the arthritis I have in my hip (a by product from a major car accident 7 years ago, but hey, I'll take the arthritis, I'm walking again like they said I'd never be able to do!) and he saw in my chart that I was referred for WLS, he asked me which surgery I was looking at and when I said the DS he knew what I was talking about!!!!!!! I almost **** my pants I was so shocked. This man does practice 'regular' medicine too, but he's typically a sports injury doctor through my PCP's office, so needless to say I was surprised that he knew so much about the surgery. He was telling me the best places locally to get all the vitamins I'd need (including saying that I'd need the mega doses on them as compared to other surgeries). When I asked him where he learned all of this, his answer, he did a lot of research when his daughter decided to have WLS 2 years ago and she chose the DS as her surgery of choice, when her insurance denied (even after 3 appeals), he felt it was the best option for her and paid for it for her! Oh, and he suggested I go to the surgeon I am going to (Dr. Hill) because he's the best there is within a reasonable drive. 

Would it be so horrible of me to use this man as my main doctor locally now? He is so educated on the DS, but my normal doctor is pretty educated on it too, and is willing to learn more as well.  I feel blessed knowing that 6 days a week there is a doctor 3 miles from my house that will be able to take care of me and my 'special' needs after this surgery if it comes to that. Especially after hearing that some people have pcp's that aren't willing to educate themselves on this surgery. 

I just pray they both ever take vacations at the same time!

That is so good! I have not been 'switched' yet,but I have already designated my Endocrinologist as my PCP because he is very thorough and cares about my well being. Whatever doctor you feel most comfortable with should be your PCP and it is great you now have a back up in case one doctor is unavailable! :D

Cool!  That was a lucky coincidence that he knows about the DS from a close family member!

I think you should do what you think is best for you. Ultimately I bet you really know which you already have a preference for. You just feel bad letting someone down.

Is the former Dr further away and the sports medicine Dr, being only 3 miles away, is therefore so much more convenient? I think that convenience is a very important aspect to consider. I would also look at how long does it take to get in to see each one. How far out do you need to book? How professional is each clinic's staff? Are both covered on the same level of co-pay, benefits, etc...?

I everything else is the same I guess I would thank my previous PCP for the support and love but say you found another Dr who already knows so very much about the DS that you just cannot pass on this opportunity and you hope that he/she understands.

Good luck,
Nancy

 That's the thing Nancy, they are in the same office!!! They have the same support staff & typically, I can call and get in with anybody on a given day as long as they are in office that day. Like if I wanted to see Dr. L (the sports doctor) he's in the clinic 3 miles away on M/T/Th & my PCP is there M,T,Th,F,Sat...but Dr. L is in the clinic (through the same network, just different location) 15 miles away on W/F/Sat- and I know all the staff there as well because that is where my kids pediatrician is located. 

Honestly, I've had life long relationships with both doctors, so I should just say Dr. O is my PCP for my insurance company and if he's not available see Dr. L, cause usually if one isn't available the other is.