Strange Visit with PCP Yesterday

(Background: I weigh 500 lbs/BMI 85. HMO originally denied surgery because my BMI was >60. I hired an attorney and appealed and won on external review, so surgery is now moving forward). The bariatric program at my HMO wanted me to have a physical done by my PCP, so I went to see her yesterday. She has been somewhat supportive of my quest for surgery. I think she wanted me to get my BMI below 60, too (I'd have had to lose 150 lbs to get my BMI below 60). During my appeal process, when it was appropriate for her to get involved, I asked her to and she did. During our chat yesterday, she said she heard I was approved for surgery. "It's a big, scary surgery! I'll be praying for you." I'm not against prayer or anything -- in fact, I often pray. I just thought it was an odd thing for her to say. It's as if she expects me to die on the operating table or something. Kix, still puzzled because I'm not having any morbid feelings about surgery. PS: My health is generally good -- heart and lungs sound fine, good blood pressure. I have a surgical consult tomorrow. Wish me luck!

good luck with your surgical consult my primary doc is strange too sometimes--1 time she is so supportive of me having wls and other times she gives me a hard time-and says and does strang things.. I know she sometimes does not know how to react--she is so skinny she has no idea what we super mobid go thru... i am glad to hear that your general health is good.. i am a high risk because of so many probs-- i have diabetes and its complications.. what hmo do you have?? I have first priority health or as they changed the name recently to bc/bs of ne PA.. i am 64 bmi.. I am in the process of getting the tests and paperwork done for dr bono's nurse to send in for insur approval.. good luck-- susieq from PA

Good luck on your pending surgery and Congratulations on winning your appeal. You deserve to have this so go for it Take care, Anita

I have found a lot of PCP's do not have a clue about WLS. Perhaps she was trying to convey the serious nature of the operation and in doing so caused some concern LOL ... You've done your homework and you know what you need and want.. go for it! Congrats on winning your appeal!!

KIX........WELCOME!!!!! Congratulations on getting your surgery process started. Dont worry about docs. sometimes i think they are all Mine did a complete 360 degree turnaround. she went from "oh its too dangerous" to "i think its the best thing for you" Like everyone on here tells me........Listen to your own heart. if youre not scared........dont let someone talk you into being scared. Please come back and visit often!! willby

"Like everyone on here tells me........Listen to your own heart. if youre not scared........dont let someone talk you into being scared". Well said.... ~Tina ( No Fear! )

Hi Kix, My personal opinion is that most doctors/nurses in the health field do not know enough about the surgery to have an informed oppinion. I believe that is slowly changing though. You have to remember that when they were in medical school wls was stomach stapling (picture a giant stapler here) and people did crazy things like wiring their jaws shut to keep from eating. Weight Loss Surgery isn't the same thing that is was 10 years ago, it isn't even the same as 5 years ago. There are so many new advances. My old PCP was so anti wls (picture a tall thin man who rides his bike to work everyday) This same dr. attended a seminar on gastric bypass surgery and a light-blub went off in his head! He could truly see the value of what this surgery could do for his patients, including the end of type 2 diabetes and many other co-morbities..he couldn't believe he steared so many patients away from this life-saving surgery because he just didn't take the time to learn all about it. On the same token, I have a OBGYN who believes that any surgery is too much of a risk. He told me that all surgery is risky and that is that.....you can only bet I didn't ask him to write me a letter for the insurance company to approve me. Good luck on your journey...you are doing the right thing! Hugs, Virginia

Hi Kix! Congrats on winning your appeal! I think most in the health care industry know precious little about WLS so they just make it all sound scary due to there own lack of knowledge. I'm sure you be just fine! Good luck with your surgical consult. Huggs, Ruth

I am with everyone else. There is a saying...."don't judge till you walked a mile in another man's (woman's) shoes." I would like most people to spend a day walking in ours. My BMI is 59 and my doctor is always telling me to get on the scale when he knows full well it does not go high enough to weigh me. I think it is kind of unprofessional for your pcp to make a comment like that. Obviously if you have won an appeal you are very well informed about the surgery. Congrats on that by the way. No Fear Sally