Hi lap-band people...I have been on here before. It has been awhile though. I'm feeling as thought this weight thing has beat me though. Doctors insist that its as easy as a diet 1-2-3 and thats it. I have been big my whole life. I love food, but who doesn't LOL. I am very confident in myself, I know I am beautiful. But i am not confident in my ability to lose weight on my own. I am at my biggest. 270 pounds..on a 5'4 frame. I have always been big though and I know that a simple diet will not work for me. I like the prospects of trying the lap-band surgery. But my doctor will not even think of it. She says that I am too young and basically says that its taking the lazy way out. I am twenty years old. And i have dreams of entering the United States Navy after I graduate with my bachelors from college. Which will be in another two years. Most of my family is big, infact alot of them have gotten the gastric bypass surgery which I believe is too intensive for me. I Just need some advice I guess. Ia m sure that this is what I want to do. i am in the process of trying to find a new doctor who will at least hear me out. Is there anything anyone call tell me that one help me out in "convincing" a doctor that this is the right thing for me. I am a happy healthy, almost twenty year old female. Who wants to live the rest of her life, but I need help...

Dear Konphident,

I know how hard it is to be young and carry that much weight around. Although I carry mine around on a 6' frame, I know what it feels like. MIf you are truly passionate about persuing this I would go talk to another doctor. Although, I must caution you....I have not seen this "regulation" with my own two eyes but, if your life long dream is to join the military, you might want to invest the money in a trainer and see if you cant get the weight off that way. My husband and I are stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, NM. I know how picky the military is about surgeries and I asked my hubby if they would accept you after having weight loss surgery and unless he is mistaken the answer, I am sorry to say is no. You might consider talking to a recruiter about this before you have surgery. On the other hand, I am so very happy that I have had my surgery. I truly believe that it has saved my life. I guess talk to a different doctor and do your homework as far as the military is concerned. Good luck to you and if you need to talk there are so very many cool people here that are so very supportive. Good Luck!!!!!:Bunny

Having tried all I could on my own, including diet and exercise, the lap band was my only hope. Leigh Ann is right, check with the recruiters, and also check out a new Dr. It hard to believe that a Dr. calls this the lazy way out! I would can that one in a heartbeat, or a New York Minute, Whichever is faster! I'm proud of you for belong proactive!

I am 32 and just got banded, but like you I have been overweight my entire life. I did every diet there was and took some diet pills as well. I had a Dr. once tell me that until there was a cure, I would be fat and to deal with it. NOW I know that sounds harsh (I was 23 at the time) but that got me through the last 9 years and made me love myself for me. I am the smallest in my family and the first to have surgery.

When I first talked to my Dr. she said no. I spent time doing research and went back to her with a packet of information. I had attended an orientation at CMC (Manchester NH) for surgery. ( I looked in your profile and saw you were in MA, but I do not know how far from NH or Boston you are. ) I gaver her facts about how long I had been morbidly obese and what the research has proven about loosing weight and maintaining it. I had my information packet filled out and the entire orientation packet with me. She filled out my referral on the spot. She was impressed with all the information I had about the options that were available.

I am also 5'4 and at my highest I weighed 291. Good luck and let me know if I can help in any way. Just don't give up. I am only a few weeks out and I feel great!!!!

Thanks guys for the reassurance. And I will definitely talk to the recruiters about that one. I know that the navy out of all of the branches is one of the most lenient ones though. SO i have hope. Dawn NH...I am very close to there infact I used to go to Hesser College. Did you get your surgery done there? I am also very concerned with, when I do get that far a good surgeon to choose. Well guys I must say I really do appreciate your support. I know I need it!

Dr. Connie Campbell did my surgery at CMC. They have set up the Obesity Treatment Center, which is where the pre-surgery meetings are done. I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Campbell to anyone. There are also monthly support group meetings. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you!!! Good luck with your research and have a Happy New Year : )

I'm only 26 and all the docs I've talked to including my PCP ever said about me having band surgery at my age was that its good to see someone getting a grip on the problem now instead of dying early and being fat by whole life. I say go for it if you've read everything on this wesbite, done research, and believe the band is for you.

I am amazed that there are PCP who aren't in formed about anything o ther than gastric bypass. My sister wants to have lapband surgery in Sioux Falls late this winter, and when she asked her PCP, he had never heard of it. We put together a packet of information for him, too. Seems like part of our job has to be to o educate even the docs!

Emily

OK well it seems as though all of you guys have done all of your research. I am just beginning. Are there any hints as to what I can contain in an information packet for my doctor. This is what I want to do, and I want to do it before it is too late. And also just to let you guys know I did speak with a Navy officer and they stated that the Lap Band surgery would not hinder my chances, or anyone Else's of getting into the Navy

I brought my entire packet from CMC to my Dr. If you attend one of the intro sessions they talk about research on Morbid Obesity. I also spent some time on www.obesityhelp.com and looked at their information and used some of that. Obesity Help is very much a gastric site, but it has some good information on it. If you want more information about CMC you can contact me directly. Hope this helps : )

Have you tried visiting one of the Drs your family uses? Maybe they would be more receptive to the idea of weight loss surgeries knowing your family history and since they obviously supported it for others in your clan. For some, the diet exercise route is not enough and I urge you to seek a physician that will refer you. It's your body and if you are willing to use this tool (the band) to help you, you have a right to. Your Dr is ignorant for believing it to be the easy way out seems s/he is prejudiced against the surgeries for labelling the easy way out. Having a band is a lifelong commitment and takes diligence and hard work to use properly. It is a tool to help you, not a solution in and of itself. Good luck finding a better Doc!