Need help finding a Primary Care doc

Hello there!  I'm new to the board, and new to the Chicago area.  I've been considering weight loss surgery for some time now, but having moved here from the Louisville, Kentucky area, I don't have a primary care physician to help me start the journey.  I currently live in the Southwest side of Chicago(near Midway), and I work downtown -- if any of you can recommend a doctor in either area, I would appreciate it. Thank you!

I could suggest starting by meeting with a nutrionist at the Wellness Institute which is affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital.  They are located at 150 East Huron Street.  I work downtown also and am able to make appointments late mornings so I can go on my lunch hour.  They can get you started.  There are a couple excellent doctors there - I see Dr. Kushner who I could not be more pleased with.  He is actually a pretty widely known weight control expert in the medical community.  In fact I had an appointment with my cardiologist just yesterday out in the suburbs, and he mentioned Dr. Kushner, not realizing that I was already seeing him. When I told him that he just pretty much said I was in the best care I could ever hope to get.  So, for what that's worth, that's my recommendation.  You need a referral to Dr. Kushner - but if you start out by seeing a nutritionist, they will refer you to Dr. K.  If you have any questions, I'd be glad to help you.  Good luck.

Only thing I need to add is that Kushner is not a primary care doc, sounds like you need to get set up with that.  If you do go to the Wellness Institute, check  to see that your insurance will cover follow-ups ... since the Wellness Inst at NW became part of the Physician's group rather than part of the hospital, insurance will no longer pay for follow-ups (especially with the nut and therapists) for MOST of us post-ops.  I can recommend a primary care doc at NW if you're interested ... but she's a bit difficult to get in to see. There is also supposedly an EXCELLENT program at Little Company of Mary (Evergreen Park) ... I've been meaning to get out to a couple of their support group meetings.  Best wishes Karyn

That's true, Kushner is not a primary care doctor.  However, on the insurance thing, I think it depends on what insurance you have because I have not paid one cent over my $20.00 co-pay for any of my nut appointments since I've been going there since mid-December, and oddly (never did find out why) they don't even charge me the co-pay for my Dr. Kushner appointments.

You're absolutely right about the insurance, it is all so subjective from policy to policy ... I have a hard time figuring out my own policy most of the time! Hope to see you tomorrow night Pat! karyn

Karyn, are you one of Candy's buddies?  I'm definitely going tomorrow night and I'm looking forward to meeting her - and  you, of course!