What to do? - no referral from PCP

So - I'm at a loss here.  I've had a long-standing relationship with my PCP and had just "assumed" that he would have no problem referring my to a bariatric program.  I've been severely overweight my entire life and he knows my long history with weight issues, depression, etc.

Anyway, at my visit today when I brought up the topic of weight, before I could even get the words out of my mouth he said that he would be "Very disappointed if WE could not accomplish something without surgery".

He basically gave me no additional guidance, other than to figure out how many calories I am eating now and reduce it by 200 a day to start.  (If it was only that easy!)  I left his office in tears as he said "Good luck and I'm behind you all the way."

So - after his little "pep talk" I just want to sit down and eat a gallon of ice cream and cry myself to sleep!  UGH! 

But seriously, I already attended an informational seminar and I'm waiting to hear back from them (hopefully this week).  Now what?  If he won't refer me - I can't get into the program!  Do I just wait and see if the program will take me and then tell him that I EXPECT him to refer me?

HELP!

Oh Tish,

I'm sorry that you're PCP isn't being more supportive.  I was lucky, mine even suggested it because I was over 150 pounds overweight. 

Maybe if you go to a meeting and bring your PCP the materials and tell him you want his support in it, he will give you the referral. 

Good luck!
Missy

I think I would consider switching my PCP..... 

My PCP was against WLS too, although at least he was willing to give me a referral for nutritional counseling.

However, my GYN was very supportive, and would've given me a referral if I didn't eventually get one from my PCP, which I did by calling his nurse.  I told her I needed his referral, gave her the surgeon's fax number, and she just took care of it.

Could your surgeon's office give you a referral to another PCP in your area?

Jean

does your insurance require a physician supervised weight loss attempt?  mine req. 6 months so I saw my PCP monthly for weigh ins, discussed diet, etc.  he was not pro-WLS either, but after 6 months, he gave me the referral.  i can't wait to go back in a year -100 lbs and show him
:-)

basically i feel that he works for me.  i work with a nurse (I'm a nurse...I work in OR) who says we can hire and fire our doctors just like a plumber.  since you have  along standing relationship with him, hopefully he will be willing to work with you, if not start shopping.  do you have any other doctors (GYN, internal medicine, endocrinologist, etc) that would be willing to write a letter for you?  I actually had all of them write letters for insurance purposes. 

make it easy for him.  find a form letter online, print it off, take it to the office.  he basically fills in the blanks...your name, when he started seeing you, medical hx, etc.

((((((((hugs))))))))  good luck.  it's a long rough road, but it's worth it.

do you see your doctor monthly now? I had somewhat the same readtion frommy PCP we actually talked about it two or three times. He told me all the reasons why he was against it each time. I would see him once a month for diabetes.

Finally, I went to him and said " I know how  you feel about WLS but I want a consult and I need you to refer me:" The other posters are right here if he won't do it then it'stimeto shop for another doctor.

This is about what you need and want!!!!

Don't take no for an answer.


Good luck!!!
Sandy 

I didn't want my PCP to write the letter, because I'm not going to him anymore for other reasons.  I had my chriopractor write the letter for me and it was fine.  I got into the program with no problem.  The way I saw it, I actually see my chiro every month, and only see the PCP once a year.

I had to convince mine that wls was a good idea. Sometimes I don't think they really understand the big picture when it comes to wls. I actualy had to explain how the band worked, that I was not looking to have my intestines re-routed, etc. It took a lot of pushing, but I finally got the referral I needed. Not sure if I finally got through to him or if he just got tired of me being the squeaky wheel. I agree with the previous posters who suggested showing your PCP some of the materials from your surgeon. If that doesn't work, I'd bail and find a new PCP who will get you the referral you need.

Check with your insurance and find out if you even need a referal. Then find out if your surgeon requires one. All my insurance needed was something from the surgeon saying I was a good candidate. I never even thought of getting a referal for something like this. It was my desicion and I didn't need anyone to tell me it was ok. But, if your insurance does require a referal, simply go to a different physician or let your pcp know what you plan to do and let him know it is up to you.

My bariatric surgeon's office told us in the seminar that if our PCP's was not supportive and didn't want to write the letter to call them and they would refer us to another doctor that would provide the letter for us.