My primary MD is against me having the lap band procedure done. He suggests I "try running around the park and eat less". Then come back to him in 3 months and see what happens. I wish it was that easy. I already explained to him the terrible pain I feel when I walk, forget about climbing stairs. I am morbidly obese, but luckily do not suffer any major health problems. I guess that the reason he does not want me to do the surgery. Anyway I am in search of a new doctor!!!! Can anyone help me find a doctor within the NY area that is willing to refer me for surgery. I have already completed my psyche eval, and my nutritionist consult, I even did my lab work but no refferal letter (the only thing I need to get a date for the procedure). Someone please help. I am feeling so discouraged .

I guess he is a skinny person who never had a fat problem in his life. Boo to him! My PCP was all for it,and suggested to my husband that he have it done too. Shame when people let their prejudices determine their opinions. Good luck to you on running around the park! Karen

I can relate - 4 years ago when I decided to get information about lapband on my own and get all the way through the qualifications process, the last thing I did was get the records from my Primary care doctor sent to the surgeon's office as part of the 5 years of documenting my weight history and related medical supporting issues like high cholesterol. She was a doubter right up to the day I had the surgery but interestingly enough, she is pretty darn happy I have lost 140 pounds!

Hang in there and do what is right for you.

My primary MD is against me having the lap band procedure done. He suggests I "try running around the park and eat less". Then come back to him in 3 months and see what happens. I wish it was that easy. I already explained to him the terrible pain I feel when I walk, forget about climbing stairs. I am morbidly obese, but luckily do not suffer any major health problems. I guess that the reason he does not want me to do the surgery. Anyway I am in search of a new doctor!!!! Can anyone help me find a doctor within the NY area that is willing to refer me for surgery. I have already completed my psyche eval, and my nutritionist consult, I even did my lab work but no refferal letter (the only thing I need to get a date for the procedure). Someone please help. I am feeling so discouraged .

What is your doctor going to do when you develop diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure

or heart problems? Find a PCP who is a little more proactive. I really hope it works out for you.

I hope you soon find a PCP that will refer you. I had been working with mine to lose some weight but nothing was really working and when I mentioned lapband he was estatic that I was considering and made my referral that day. You definitely need a primary care that is supportive of you and your Quest to become healthier. Good luck.

Where in NY? Mine is on Long Island...I went to the Bariatric surgeon first. I never discussed with my regular doctor. All I needed was records with my weights from the last 3 years and I got it from my OB-GYN just because I was there in September. Then I made my own chart with my attempts at weight loss for the last 6 months. That has to be stamp by a doctor. I still have to discuss that on my next appointment. I was hoping they could help me with that but if not I will go to my doctor, I am sure it won't be too much of a doctor.

BTW you need to express to your doctor that you have unsuccessful and you already are in the process. For him to not allow you to move forward you may have to move forward with a different doctor. You maybe able to change his mind.

My primary physician is the EXACT same. I brought up surgery to him a few times in the last couple years and was shot down each time. SO I found my own lap band doctor and went through them. I was lucky because I had already been on Phentermine through a weight center so I had the 6 months supervised weight loss.. I didn't need my primary for anything except a couple weeks ago when I got my pre-op tests (EKG, physical and chest x-ray). He asked me what surgery I was having and I told him..he didn't have too much to say except my surgeon was a good one.

I guess it's different if you need a referral? I'm not sure how those things work since I have an open access health insurance plan.

When I needed xanax or paxil he told me to "relax and try yoga". Yeahhhh thanks.

Wow, that would really piss me off! I had the exact opposite experience. My doctor tried to encourage me for years to consider weight loss surgery and I kept trying to lose weight through every other method known to man. When I finally scheduled a visit to discuss it with her, she was thrilled! The funny part is, I haven't seen my doctor since my surgery because I've been so healthy I've had no need to go! (I'm the type of person that likes to avoid the doctor unless it's absolutely necessary). Definitely find yourself a new doctor.

Just an idea, maybe your doctor doesn't want you to cure you weight/food disease because he will longer need to over medicate you. My surgeon mentioned this at his seminar, many doctors see patients will high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, obese with my medical conditions and decide to treat with medication. He says that the medical world needs to start treating certain patients with surgery, because it works and with weight loss from the surgeries most problems become resolved. NOW if your conditions become resolved, there is no need to see you pcp on a regular basis. You are not just a customer you are a person that deserves a great and healthy life. Find a surgeon from a center of excellence nea you and if you don't need a pcp referral make the appointment and move forward. They will tell you what you need in order to get the surgery.

Bastard! Being morbidly obese IS a major health problem. I thought I was a pretty healthy obese person, then I had 3 blood clots in my lungs that almost took me away from my family. Not a single doctor, except the bariatric doctor I saw nearly a year later, had the nerve to tell me that the major contributing factor to the blood clots was my obesity. Beyond that, just the strain to an obese person's heart and joints is enough reason to consider surgery.

I wish you the best in your search.