Is My PCP Trying to Lead Me Away From Surgery...Or, Just Covering Her Behind??? - ThinnerTimes

Cinerbelle · 08-08-2005, 03:14 PM

I went into my PCP today to follow up on lab tests she wanted run. The tests were to see if I am diabetic. Well, the results are in and they say that I am borderline.... She wants to put me on Glucophage and Wellbutrin. She says the Glucophage will help stabalize my blood sugars and will help me lose weight...she said the Wellbutrin is an anti-depressant that has side effects of weight loss. I'm not depressed (well, not until today) so I feel like she is putting me on these drugs so that I can lose weight without having the surgery. She didn't come out and say this, so I mentioned that I would still be going to my "medically supervised weight loss classes" since I have to do that for the next 5 1/2 months before the insurance will approve it....just to remind her that this is still my mindset.

So, do you think she is trying to lead me away from the surgery or do you think she is just covering all the bases so that we will have a strong case for the insurance???

I am bummed that I will be on two more drugs to lose weight...when we all know this doesn't WORK!!!!

bridgetgirl · 08-08-2005, 03:59 PM

Hmmm I think she has general concern for you. She mentions that the side effects or benefits to these drugs are weightloss cuz she knows that you are attempting to lose weight.. maybe hoping that you may get excited about them. SO lets just say that you took these drugs and lost 75 pounds in the next 5 1/2 months..... hoorah! ESSENTIALLY you wouldnt need the surgery.... now we all know reality. It sounds to me like she is encouraging your decision to lose weight... only time will tell. 5 months worth of time. Just keep on keeping on!

Cinerbelle · 08-08-2005, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridgetgirl

Hmmm I think she has general concern for you. She mentions that the side effects or benefits to these drugs are weightloss cuz she knows that you are attempting to lose weight.. maybe hoping that you may get excited about them. SO lets just say that you took these drugs and lost 75 pounds in the next 5 1/2 months..... hoorah! ESSENTIALLY you wouldnt need the surgery.... now we all know reality. It sounds to me like she is encouraging your decision to lose weight... only time will tell. 5 months worth of time. Just keep on keeping on!

Okay, but I am going to lose all my hair worrying about this kind of stuff... At least it will all be gone before I have a chance to lose it with the surgery!!

newbetterme · 08-08-2005, 04:08 PM

Even if she is trying to steer you away from surgery while they may have helped some people...it may or maynot work for you. Either way it is just more documented items for the insurance submission.

So look at it as a good thing...

lealphachienne · 08-08-2005, 05:44 PM

Part of the approval process is that whole "tried everything inconcievably possible" to prove that you did try. I was on Wellbutrin too as part of a medically supervised weight loss program in the months before I was approved.

Cinerbelle · 08-08-2005, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lealphachienne

Part of the approval process is that whole "tried everything inconcievably possible" to prove that you did try. I was on Wellbutrin too as part of a medically supervised weight loss program in the months before I was approved.

Okay, but if I start to lose weight won't the Dr.'s be like "oh, she can do it on her own...no surgery for you"??

lealphachienne · 08-09-2005, 05:49 AM

In genreal no, unless you're able to lose a huge amount to get your BMI underneath the minimum requirement. You have to jump through the hoops if you want your insurance to pay. It's very unlikely you will lose anything, but it might help you to not gain any more weight.

watergirl · 08-09-2005, 06:30 AM

Okay, this is my opinion. I did drugs to lose weight - many, many times begining at the age of 8, and 13 with legal, 16 - 30 some illegal - all to lose weight. It's only temporary with weight regain. I would not recommend drugs to lose weight.

Cinerbelle · 08-09-2005, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watergirl

Okay, this is my opinion. I did drugs to lose weight - many, many times begining at the age of 8, and 13 with legal, 16 - 30 some illegal - all to lose weight. It's only temporary with weight regain. I would not recommend drugs to lose weight.

I agree, I am going to take the Glucophage to level out my blood sugars...but I am staying steady on my path towards the surgery. I will have to keep subtly reminding her this is my plan...I'm not going to this class for the next 6 dang months for nothing!!!

Cinerbelle · 09-07-2005, 04:01 PM

Well, I had another follow up appt. with the PCP today. She asked some questions...like normal and was asking me how my "diet" is going. I told her everything was fine...and then I wanted to subtly remind her that my goal is WLS. So, I brought up the fact that I went to my surgeons seminar. When I mentioned his name it didn't even ring any bells for her...she is the one that told me his name. I had to remind her that he was the WLS surgeon. She caught on and then asked me if he discussed any other methods to losing weight. HELLO....he is the GBS SURGEON!! That is what he was there to talk about, not to tell me other ways to lose weight. I am freaking out because I feel like she is trying to push me to lose the weight myself when I have made my mind up that the surgery is the way I NEED TO GO.