Ok, I’m sorry to just jump right in like this looking for answers. But I am desperate & crushed. Since About November my PCP has had me on a supervised weight loss program; I thought the goal was to get your body more ready for future surgery & show you are ‘In-It-To-Win-It’. I was so sure of this that I busted my buns and today weighed on at under 20lbs for about 8 months. We had discussed setting up the referral at this visit back in November, so him tossing the whole idea was devastating and confusing. He said, “Keep it up, losing 20lbs in 8months and you could be close in a few years...??? I can get down to my current weight by extreme calorie restriction(which he advised at 800 daily), but no further with unnecessary wear on my body. He had just diagnosed me with an umbilical hernia and cited it was because my stomach is so heavy & hangs down-probably the absolute cause-not offended lol-
But then I asked him point blank to start the referral process since I am ready and qualified for surgery (at least a consult, c’mon?). He refused declined to discuss any related subject thereafter. Did I royally mess up? I want this so bad-it’s a tool that I could really use the help from after trying for so long, I finally need help. Anyone have anything similar happen it could offer some insight? I’s ne beyond grated!
Thanks,
Roxx

You should be able to lose weight at 1200 calories per day. If you're not losing weight at 800 per day, you might be eating the wrong foods. Eating the wrong foods can slow down your metabolism. If you have weight loss surgery without learning how to eat healthy, you'll probably just gain the weight back. Speaking to a nutritionist may be a good idea.

What foods do you eat?

I'm sorry you were so disappointed for your doctor not to give you a referral for WLS. Not being a medical professional, I have no idea why he would make this decision. Did you ask him? Also, you could possibly try going to another doctor for a second opinion.

There could be a lot of reasons for his reluctance. Your age, other medical conditions, how much weight you need to lose in total. Like mjf said, your inability to lose weight could from eating the wrong foods, underestimating how many calories you are actually eating. When you lower your calorie intake, you have to make sure every bit of food you take in is high in nutrition. Not knowing your situation makes it hard to guess.

I would not use this as a reason to give up. Keep trying. It might be slow going, but in the long run, it will be safer than WLS. Although it's not a major operation, there can be complications. And keep moving. Take a walk every day, or do some other form of exercise. Exercise does not create weight loss without dietary changes, but it changes the way your body processes the food you eat in a favorable way.

Have some faith in yourself that you can do this. You really want it, so I think you can!!

Good luck to you.

I'd get another doctor.

I would seek out a 2nd opinion from another doctor, yes! I had WLS after losing 20 pounds in 6 months, while my surgeon had asked me to lose just 10 pounds to qualify. I found out just before surgery that my doctor had had to argue with my insurance company to cover my surgery (vertical sleeve gastrectomy or VSG), as the insurance company said it looked like I was losing just fine on my own. But it was only because I was more determined than I had ever been in my life to get this surgery -- and make it as safe as possible to reduce my liver size! I had a long history of obesity, weighing close to 300 pounds, and had struggled with loss/regain since my 20s. At age 46, I was absolutely set on getting WLS, and it has indeed been a HUGE help to me, better than any diet I have ever gone on.

So, I would certainly encourage you to seek another doctor's opinion, preferably a bariatric surgeon who has a lot of experience and high certifications. For instance, in the US, look for a hospital certified as a Center of Excellence, and a surgeon who is an accredited member of The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons.

Best wishes! :-)

I haven't encountered such situation before, actually, but maybe he thinks that you can still do it without a surgery? Weight loss surgeries are done when there's absolutely nothing else to be done except it, maybe I didn't understand the whole situation accurately, but I think you should do your best to avoid these kinds of surgeries. If there are no any other solutions, then go for it, but if you have a 1% probability that you can lose these fats naturally, then keep hold of this hope.
Good luck!

I would think that the doctor had set some expectations for how much weight you need to lose before being ready for your surgery. Are you saying that the doctor has never revealed what the goals for this is? Either a number or some range he’s looking for you to reach?

I eat about 1200 cal low carb diet-had lost around 20 pounds at my last weigh-in. Am a Healthy Lifestyle Coach and am fairly faithful at practicing what I preach to my clients, but am not a nutritional professional so I would definitely benefit from a referral to a nutritionist and/or dietitian. Part of my issue with all of this is that the physician was not willing to refer me to either(or any other related specialist) after I had to ask for one. I feel as though there are multiple options that he could have given me a referral to as a tool to assist me with my weight loss. That was the reason I made the initial appointment with him-I told him I needed help losing and he agreed to help me find an appropriate & effective option that was right for me