I went to my pcp today (who I haven't seen in 2 years) for a checkup and she immediately was concerned about my blood pressure and pulse rate. She ordered an EKG *which came out fine, and I discussed having the lap band surgery with her. She wasn't too gung ho about it, wants me to go to a nutritionist for three months and see what happens. This is so frustrating to me because I've done all my research, I've tried lots of diets and still no success, and I want to have the lap band procedure ASAP. Please somebody give some advice.

I went to my pcp today (who I haven't seen in 2 years) for a checkup and she immediately was concerned about my blood pressure and pulse rate. She ordered an EKG *which came out fine, and I discussed having the lap band surgery with her. She wasn't too gung ho about it, wants me to go to a nutritionist for three months and see what happens. This is so frustrating to me because I've done all my research, I've tried lots of diets and still no success, and I want to have the lap band procedure ASAP. Please somebody give some advice.

Change doctors.

I had the same issue. My PCP who I've had for 20 years refused to refer me, even thought he knew I've been obese for 20 years. He wanted me to do this liquid diet thing that, guess what... was a for-profit thing of his. I changed PCP's and am now on the road to getting the band.

I feel your pain! I started looking into Lap banding about a year ago. After talking over my options with my family and trying to lose weight with Weight Watchers and reading all I could about the procedure, I set up an appointment with a surgeon. After talking to him and getting all excited about the procedure, I found out my insurance required six months of doctor supervised diet before I could be considered. The seven months of WW did not count. I was ticked!

I have completed that six months (and lost over 25#) and a myriad of tests (psych consults, multiple cardiac tests, blood work, esophagram and upper GI scope...those are the ones I remember off the top of my head) and I have my surgery scheduled for Monday. My advice? Call your insurance company and see what they require for the surgery and talk to your doctor again. You might want to consider changing doctors...

Don't get frustrated if it takes some time - it didn't make a difference that I was able to lose weight before the procedure - it makes me a better anesthetic risk.

Good luck and keep working at it!

I also had a pcp who did not want me to have surgery. I changed my pcp, and I got the surgery in Sept. A doctor should not be who makes the decision whether or not surgery is the right answer...the patient should because they know what they've been through and the surgery has helped countless people. Best of luck!!

I agree with the above. I had the same PMD for over 15 years-he just told me I was fat and to go on a 1000 calorie a day diet and loose weight. Woouldn't even run any tests. Guess what-CHANGED DOCTORS had tests run-I am anemic, have a non-functioning thyroid with a tumor on it, am borderline diabetic and have insufficient D3 and Vit C levels. Best thing I ever did was change doctors. My doctor is very supportive of my decision to have the lap band done-as long as I continue with the follow-up visits post-op. Find someone out there who will help you. Best of luck.

I went to my pcp today (who I haven't seen in 2 years) for a checkup and she immediately was concerned about my blood pressure and pulse rate. She ordered an EKG *which came out fine, and I discussed having the lap band surgery with her. She wasn't too gung ho about it, wants me to go to a nutritionist for three months and see what happens. This is so frustrating to me because I've done all my research, I've tried lots of diets and still no success, and I want to have the lap band procedure ASAP. Please somebody give some advice.

Hang in there. I would call the surgon in your area and make an apointment. Most insurance requires you to have a three month supervised diet anyway. Your surgons office could get you on your way.

My insurance required a letter of medical necessity from a doc. I used my Gynecologist instead of my PCP who was not on board just a thought

I am going through a bariatric center. The letter comes from the Dr at the Center instead of my PCP. Have you looked into centers in your area? It seems like a good idea because they do all the testing, coordination and surgery plus the follow ups and fills. (And my insurance covers them!) You have options. Good luck!!