bariatric surgeon referral

My dr will not refer me to a bariatric surgeon is there any way to get in to see one without a referral?? I really need to get this surgery but how can i??

just out of curiosity why will your dr not give you a referral? You could always change doctors...

Hi there,

I see you're in Ontario. If you meet the requirements to have weight loss surgery (BMI 40 or BMI 35 with comorbidities) you can ask any doctor or a nurse practitioner to refer you to the registry. If you see any specialists (like an endocrinologist or cardiac doctor or a sleep disorder doctor) you can ask them to refer you. People have even gone to family practitioners at walk-in clinics for referrals. What is the reason that your doctor won't refer you?

Also, there is an Ontario forum her at OH - please join us!

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ON/

Karen,
Thanks for the reply....My doctor says the surgeon will not do the surgery on me he/she will look at me and say i do not meet the requirements..I am 5'0 weigh 247 that is a BMI of 48.1 but he says since I have no dire health issues i am not a candidate for the surgery. I do have asthma and take 2 puffers for it and when i lost weigt with herbal magic I was completely off my puffers but then i got pregnant and gained the weight back and the puffers as well.   I just found out from my Dr's secretary that he does not agree with the surgery and suggests I (and anyone else who asks for a referral) go to weigh****chers. I told her I tried weigh****chers and Herbal magic..I lost on herbal magic but stop taking their pills and back in same position and she said it doesn't matter he will not refer....

You most certainly DO qualify for the surgery!  I am sorry, but your GP is an ASS.  Do you see any other doctors for other issues?  Is there a competent walk-in clinic near you?  Get in touch with any doctor you have or even try the walk-in.  If all else fails, get a new GP.  Clearly this one isn't going to be of any support.  Where in Ontario are you?

I urge you to post this on the Ontario board - someone in your area may know of a good GP taking new patients.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/on

I have a gynocologist and I am going to try and see f he will refer me.  I have tried to get a new GP but very few in Midland are accepting new patients and the ones who are won't accept a patient who already has a dr. no walk in clinics here. We did have one but not anymore.

Carla, I have a friend in Midland who had WLS 6 months ago. Perhaps she knows of a doctor. I'm going to ask her to contact you via PM. We have quite a few people in your area on the Ontario board, actually.

P.S. Her name is Monica M, so don't be surprised when you get a PM. lol

I actually know 2 Monica M's in midland...one may be the one you know and the other one would not be since she has never had a weight problem. but for sure she can PM me thank you for the help!!

I went to the bariatric surgeon before I told my PCP.  If yours wont refer you then you will need another doctor to give you a referral.  Do you have an OB/GYN that would refer you?  I think they would be considered your  primary care docs as well.  Otherwise the surgeon can probably give you the name of a doctor who is bariatric friendly that you could get a letter from after a visit.