Thanks. My PCP is actually my second PCP in a few months. I only went to OBGYN before that and didn't really use a PCP. A friend of mine, who is a dr., saw my struggle with weight loss (every diet and exercise program imaginable) and he said "I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you might want to consider WLS since all this diet and exercise is making you BIGGER." It would take me months to lose 10 or 20 lbs and a week or so to put it back on (by stopping exercise for a week or vacation would come up or I would get sick) PLUS MORE.!!!
I had my thyroid tested 3 times and it was normal. I started to research WLS but was only 38 BMI. I kept at the diet and exercise thing and worked really hard, day after day after day. Then I got sick, really sick, last summer with a head/chest cold/virus/flu that knocked me on my
!!!
I was in bed for a few weeks and living on soft food (oatmeal and toast). Believe it or not, I gained 15 lbs in 2 weeks! I thought I was eating next to nothing and gained 15 lbs!
I thought about WLS and started to see a new PCP who listened to me but then when I got home, he called me back and said he did not approve of the idea since I was just hovering near 40 BMI. I have high cholesterol and other serious comords but he thought I needed to try phentermine or xenical (AGAIN! I had done that already more than once). I sent him some information on WLS and he was insulted and his secretary called me up and asked how I could question his knowledge!
I cried.
and cried and cried.
I figured that no one would help me and I would be stuck in 38/39 BMI **** forever. Well, I stopped dieting, stopped everything. I didn't
out but I ate "normally" and managed to move into the 40 BMI range (I'm still actually like 39.99999).
I went to see a new PCP who discussed everything with me carefully. He didn't understand the other PCPs lack of approval for someone who has tried everything, understands the process and has 3 serious comords. He sent a letter to the surgeon I am considering and promises to work with me and the surgeon on this (to get insurance approval).
I checked with Blue Cross of California POS and their policy seems to be over 40 BMI or over 35 with 3 or more serious co-mords.
I have had my psych consult and tomorrow meet with the dietician and then Friday I meet with the surgeon. I am so excited.