Finally getting one step closer

Today was the day to make an appointment with my GP for my referral.  The Dr. had been on holidays for several weeks and just reopened today and I got an appointment for tomorrow at 4pm.

Any tips on what I should say or ask for?  I am kinda nervous but I have been researching this for a few years already!! I am just not settled on RnY or VSG...any insight on that?

Any help would be great!!!

Just tell the doctor that you want them to submit a referral for you to the Bariatric Registry. You don't need to discuss the actual surgery with your doctor, that's something you'll save for the surgeon. Be prepared to discuss why you feel that surgery is a good choice for you, what other diets you've tried and tell them that you aren't fully decided, but that you feel it's time to take it to the next level and discuss this with specialists who deal with weight loss surgery. Also be prepared to give the doctor the website where they register with the Registry.

I remember how nervous I was about this, but it really was a breeze. Just don't back down and be insistent that this is what you need.

 As a NP, I am thrilled when a patient wants to discuss weight loss.  I hope your MD was like mine.  Big ole smile and a yahoo!  

My words to my family physician: ' I would like to be referred for bariatric surgery".  My doc was all smiles to and said:  are you serious?  I replied "I sure am".  

The rest was the ye olde waiting game but it is so worth it.  I feel like there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. Best wishes. 

If you have any medical conditions such as sleep apnea or have other specialists, have them send a letter to the centre as well. I found this saved time since then I didn't have to wait for the bariatric centre to run the tests

My Doctor was so suportive I teared up. He's had a few patients go through the process and he was pleased that I had come to the decision. He's watched me struggle and tried to help me over the years.

you guys are really lucky to have a supportive doctor...mine not so much.

I got the "are you sure you want to do this?", "your young you can lose the weight!", 'have you tried weigh****chers?"...ooooh I was so mad walking out of there.

Time to look for a new doctor!

But she did put my referral through and I have my surgery date so I am happy.

I said "I want a referral for bariatric surgery" and I had the reasons lined up - hyperlipidemia, family history of diabetes 2, family history heart attacks and strokes.

I was lucky that I'd been diagnosed with high cholesterol in my early 20's and the system, OHIP, had already sent me once for weight loss, so my familial hyperlipidemia was documented.

Bottom line : Ask for what you want clearly, and if you are under a 40 bmi have additional reasons listed.

Oh! I also mentioned EVERY SINGLE AREA of my body where I had arthritis pain. Whether or not I coped with it on my own or with OTC Tylenol / Asperin.