hello all im new here and just getting things going i went to the doctors the other day to get a check up and let her know i was thinking about getting the "LB" and she just gave me "the look" which made me feel uncomfortable. =/ and she said it will take up to a yr to get approved and i would have to go through a 6month recorded diet plan i just felt like she was trying to put me off on that idea. how did u guys let ur doc. know u wanted the LB and what requirements did u go through

i have *** AETNA as my insurance?

thanks in advance for any feedback (:

It's different here in Australia but it was actually my GP who suggested I investigate the lapband. Good luck and maybe you should find a more positive dr.

Don't let your PCP discourage you if this is something you really want to do for yourself. Every insurance company is different so you may need to do the 6 month recorded diet before they will approve the surgery that is your insurance company requirement not the PCP. When I decided on the LB surgery I didn't even ask my PCP her opinion and pretty much told her I was doing it. I was fortunate that I have an insurance company that didn't have a requirement for a diet plan or waiting period and I didn't need a referral from my PCP.

In the end you need to do what is the best thing for you and your PCP should be on board with your decision and support you. If not, maybe its time to get a new PCP.

Good luck and feel to reach out with any questions!

I told my PCP that I knew he was opposed to WLS but that I had decided that I wanted to get the lapband and would he refer me. He looked at me and said "I'm not opposed to WLS. I know a great doctor to send you to." ... and he did. Unfortunately, the doc he sent me to - who was really great - was not on my insurance so I had to find another.

Don't let your doc dissuade you if this is what you really want to do. She doesn't have to carry the weight around, you do.

Several years ago when I had a different PCP who left the practice and I was left to see one of the other docs in the practice, I told her that I was at my wits end with my weight and couldn't she recommend something to help me lose weight. She sat there looking every bit like JABBA THE HUT and said, "You'll just have to push away from the table." I didn't let her see me cry, but when I got to my car that's what I did. Had I not been feeling so absolutely awful about myself I would have said to her, "Is that what YOU'RE doing????"

Do what is right for YOU. Don't allow her to judge you. Remember that once she refers you, you won't have to see her. Also, you should check your insurance's website for their exact requirements for the surgery. Your doc may not know what she's talking about because it varies depending on the plan your employer has chosen.

Good luck to you. We are here to support you.

~Fran

i am so sorry that you had this experience. unfortunately it is not uncommon. when i spoke to my PCP he told me no lapband he wanted the gastric bypass. i told him that i had researched and the GB was not for me. he started on the bit about the gold standard and how he wanted this type of surgery for me, etc...

long story short we had it out. I told him i did not require his counsel and would do what was right for me and since he didn't know what was, i would take things in my own hands and he could kiss me where the sun doesn't shine.

a year later, my bariatric surgeon sent him an update letter outlining my course and weight loss. he actually had the decency to call me and apologize. I had the good fortune to have an insurance that allowed me to choose my physician.

as for your insurance criteria, i would call the customer service hot line number and speak to someone about their criteria (it is per your employer's contracted rate with them) and then ask for a hard copy to either be emailed to you or mailed to you (your right as an insured person). if you need to select another pcp or see what the insurance covers as far as pcp coverage and a list of physicians with their coverage.

good luck!

thanks everyone well i am calling first thing tommorow to see what the outline is so i can get a feel on the requirments . i appreciate it =)

I also have atena depending on your plan they cover it. My PCP was awesome i went in for a visit he said i was young enough to do it and he would support me in anyway possible. I finally got my surgery date today and it feels great. It is a long road but i know in the end it will be worth it! Good luck. make sure you figure out what is best for you!

Don't let your doctor talk you out of it if you know that weight loss surgery is right for you. Once you talk to the bariatric surgeon, you should be able to get your questions answered about how long it might take and they would be better able to tell you if you are a good candidate. I also have Aetna and they were able to do a 3 month plan. I don't see why it would take a year to get approved even if you did the 6 month. You will do your other requirements for insurance and for your surgeon while you are doing your medical weight management plan (which is the supervised diet). When I called Aetna when I was first thinking about lap band, they told me to go on their website and do a search for obesity surgery. It gives you their requirements for coverage, but you will still want to check with your plan to see if it covers WLS.

Message me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

hello all im new here and just getting things going i went to the doctors the other day to get a check up and let her know i was thinking about getting the "LB" and she just gave me "the look" which made me feel uncomfortable. =/ and she said it will take up to a yr to get approved and i would have to go through a 6month recorded diet plan i just felt like she was trying to put me off on that idea. how did u guys let ur doc. know u wanted the LB and what requirements did u go through

i have *** AETNA as my insurance?

thanks in advance for any feedback (:

My doctor was very supportive he actually said he thought I would be a good candidate for lap band....I did however run into a little trouble with the office aid she wasn't calling and following up with my insurance properly and she was very rude so I called my insurance and was told I don't need a referal from my Pcp at all I have united healthcare choice plus..so a referal is not needed for my plan....I totally got to bypass the rude receptionist...my insurance co will contact my pcp themselves if tutti need any documentation