My visit to my PCP yesterday

April 27, 2001

Hi All!

I'm some what embarrassed to replay my doctor's (PCP) visit yesterday, but I

figure if anyone understands, you guys will since everyone on this list is in

the same boat. So here goes....I've been taking medication for depression the

past several months. The doctors are still playing around trying to find one

that works and agrees with my system. The latest medication, which I've been

taking since Jan. is known to cause weight gain. I knew my weight was creeping

up, but I never imagined ever in my life that I would go beyond the 300# mark!!

I weighed myself prior to my doctor's visit yesterday and I'm up to 310 lbs.!!!!

My doctor's scale only goes up to 300 #'s! My doctor was so shocked that my

weight has gone up so high! It was just three short years ago that I was at 190

lbs. with the help of phen-fen. My doctor started to say " You're really.... "

then she stopped and looked at me like she didn't know what to say! I'm glad

she was kind enough not to just blurt something out!

Needless to say, she gave me a referral to see a WLS. She told me to find out

what the insurance company needs to prove medical necessity and she would do

what she could to help me. Then she sent me down the hall to pick up the

referral and go to the lab to draw blood for a complete physical. The lady who

actually wrote out the referral was very unpleasant, discouraging, and negative.

She handed me the insurance book and said, " here, you find the surgeon you're

looking for! " Then she said with the attitude of someone who has never had a

weight problem... " Oh, your insurance WILL NEVER COVER THIS TYPE OF SURGERY! "

Who the heck asked her?! I told her I knew two people with the same insurance

who DID get approved. " Well, you have to prove medical necessity and very few

can. " Again, I didn't ask for her opinion. I tried to stay calm, although I

was fuming inside. I told the lady I will have this surgery, and if this

insurance wouldn't cover it, I'd just switch during open enrollment to another

insurance provider that WILL cover it! How dare her!

in MD

jvaszil@...

Pre-op

consult w/Dr. Vanguri 5/24/01

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