calicowgirl

I go to meet with my new pcp next Saturday. I've already gone to Dr. Callery's education seminar but I need a referral letter from my pcp to get my consultation. How do I get her to write me a referral letter for insurance on my first visit with her? What do I tell her to get her to write it right away? AND- what should the letter say?

KarenInKali

Tell her the truth. You've gone to the seminar, you've done "x,y,z" to try to lose weight over the years, you have the following co-morbidities....... and you would like to discuss a referral out to a surgeon to explore the options of RNY and gastric bypass.

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Karen 273/257/160/154
beginning/surg/my goal/doc's goal

TT Gym rat club member #53
Journey to RNY began 07/07
RNY 05/12/08
I'm a loser!

drummer girl

I agree - tell the doctor that you have had this in mind, that you have gone to Dr. Callery's lecture and that you would like to be referred to him. My PCP actuallly ONLY refers to Dr. Callery. I'm not sure if that is because of my insurance or because he is the best darn WLS doc in town!

Make a case for yourself - give him a brief description of weight loss history, your current health problems that may be relieved by the surgery, etc. If you haven't had some "Doctor Supervised" diet in the past year, your doc can get you started on one and still refer you to Dr. Callery. The sooner you start that "diet" with the PCP, the sooner you will qualify for surgery (unless you are one of those lucky dogs who don't have to have Dr. supervised diet in order to qualify with your insurance company)!

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Kathie - now on the losing side!

Lap RNY May 5, 2008

Highest = 292
Surgery day = 259
Current = 244
Goal = 140

"Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known."
—Winnie-the-Pooh