Hello everyone I am a 22 year old who has struggled with weight loss my whole life, diets and excercising just have never been enough. I found out about the Lapband on the internet and am so happy that I may have a tool to help me with this. I have a 10 month old little girl and I am currently 150 pounds overweight. I am just starting this journey I have an appointment set for May 3rd to talk to my doctor about this option because for insurance purposes he and my future surgeon will have to sign off on this procedure. Any advice for how I should approach this with him considering this will be the first time I am meeting my new primary care physician?

I too had struggled with being heavy my whole life...and my doctor was clearly aware of this too! I worked out, went to Weight Watchers...and always had some success but would always gain it back...eventually.

I was so surprised when I mentioned to her last summer that I just wanted to lose the weight for good...and she (who is very straight forward about her ideas...eat less, move more) suggested the band! She was all for it as it was less invasive, reversible if needed, etc. I was in shock. I had preconceived ideas and held the stigma that it was an easy way out! Well, she then suggested a weight loss surgeon and the next thing I knew I was attending the seminar in September and on the track to get my surgery. I was banded Feb 15th...and absolutely love the band! The best thing I ever did. I am not hungry...I following the rules...and am down almost 50 pounds from my weigh in at the seminar!

So...I would suggest you just bring it up to your doctor! I would also bring in any information you have found about it...so you can discuss it.

Best of luck to you!

Kristen

I also went to a new pc Dr when I started the process. I am 23 and had been bouncing around a particular clinic prior, whose Dr.'s didn't seem to interested in my weight issues when I'd come to appointments before.

my new Dr wanted to run extensive labs prior to signing off on the procedure, just to make sure there wasn't anything actually hurting my weight loss chances. He also ordered a sleep study. Under his care, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, low vit D, and low iron. He is very supportive and I will continue to see him.

I didn't need a letter from the new primary care, and am not sure if it was a requirement for surgery. I had contacted my pediatric Dr who I saw from birth to 20, and he wrote a wonderful letter for me and also included my growth chart. This is the letter that was in my file.

Have you checked with your insurance to see if they cover the surgery? That would be the first place I would look before speaking with the doctor.

After I found out my insurance would cover it. I signed up at the hospital for one of their free seminars to get all the information about the procedure. That way when I talked to my doctor, I let her know that I was serious enough to find out every detail before making such a big decision. At first she was hesitant, probably because she only weighed about a 100# soaking wet and coudn't understand my delema and advised me to first change my diet a bit, add some exercise and she drew blood to check my thyroid and other things to rule any other issues out first, which delayed me almost a year, but when I went back to her and said that I wanted it done, since nothing else worked, she was in total agreement.

Every doctor is different, but you have to be a bit firm and show them you are serious about making those changes and hopefully they agree. If not find a new doctor. Good Luck to Ya.

do your research BEFORE you see your dr. Come to this forum often, attend seminars and support groups, and talk to others who have been banded. That way you can confidently discuss it with your dr, pros and cons. My longtime Dr., knew of my health and weight struggles, my family history etc. After discussing it all with me and realizing i had done my homework she was very happy to reccomend me for lapband. I was banded last December, down 27 lbs with minimal problems. Best decision i ever made ! good luck !

I too had struggled with being heavy my whole life...and my doctor was clearly aware of this too! I worked out, went to Weight Watchers...and always had some success but would always gain it back...eventually.

I was so surprised when I mentioned to her last summer that I just wanted to lose the weight for good...and she (who is very straight forward about her ideas...eat less, move more) suggested the band! She was all for it as it was less invasive, reversible if needed, etc. I was in shock. I had preconceived ideas and held the stigma that it was an easy way out! Well, she then suggested a weight loss surgeon and the next thing I knew I was attending the seminar in September and on the track to get my surgery. I was banded Feb 15th...and absolutely love the band! The best thing I ever did. I am not hungry...I following the rules...and am down almost 50 pounds from my weigh in at the seminar!

So...I would suggest you just bring it up to your doctor! I would also bring in any information you have found about it...so you can discuss it.

Best of luck to you!

Kristen

Same here...my doctor was almost giddy that I presented the idea. She is so supportive and excited. She can't wait to watch me get off all of my meds. She is predicting 3-6 months. I would suggest to you that if this doctor is not positive, there is another doctor around the corner. Go to who you need to to begin your healthy journey. You are taking the first step and that is important. Good Luck to you!

Hello again everyone thank you so much for your advise, I have done my research my insurance will cover it I just need references from my doctor, and my old physician since birth is also my daughters physician so when I go in for her appt I plan to ask to speak to him and see if he'll also back me up with my current doctor if he agrees. I have researched the actual procedure on the lapband website and watched all the videos and ordered my information kit. I have joined this site to help me get the answers I need and to talk to people who are in my situation. The closest seminar is not within my reach unfortunatly, I would love to go to one though so hopefully one will open up closer to me. I just want this tool to help me, I am sick of dieting and doing all the things I am supposed to do to be healthy have little sucess than gain it back. I want to be around for my children.

I just told my doctor that I wanted to have lap band and need the referral to the surgeon. Remember the doctor works for YOU. They don't get to make your health care decisions, you do. If your doctor does not agree with the surgery, I would listen to their reasons, if they are valid, think about them. But if it things you already researched and understand, then ask for the referral regardless of the doctors feelings about the band. And if all else fails, change PCPs

Thanks again everyone, I feel better at this point took some time today to call my insurance company they will cover the procedure and any care I need while in the program I just need my referal. I am putting together all my information, I also found that the hospital only a mere 45 min away has the program for weightloss surgery including a seminar, support group and great reviews from patients. So I am kinda excited to possibly get the tool I need to succeed in this never ending weight loss journey. I am so happy that my appointment wasn't immediate because I want to know what I am talking about to him. Thanks lorabeth I will remember that he works for me not the other way around, I know my body and how my life has been he doesn't. I am having my old pcp and my pediatric pcp sent over all files they have of me to him to help back my case up. I will be ready come may 3rd when my dr appt is...considering he was really booked must mean he's a good dr I hope

My dr was "I have patients who succeed and fail". She was kinda like yeah it's out there...want some metformin? So I went to the seminar, found out I needed a letter so I called the office and asked for one, told them this is what I am doing and need a letter stating there is not a medical reason why I should not have it done. Looking back and after talking to the surgeon about how the lapband is a PERSONaL tool. in that office when I brought it up I should have said about the other people...but I am asking for ME!!! Would you recommend it for ME? Is there a medical reason you would not recommend it for ME???? They are not lap band drs so it is only their opinion and interpretation of the compiled data...they only need to give input on how it will affect YOU and relate to YOUR other health issues!

I was in the same boat. I am also 22 and because of my weight avoided seeing my regular doctor like the plague. LOL. But I sucked it up because I knew I needed her sign off to start the process. Explain your story to the doctor -- and what you have done in the past that failed (like you I have struggled with this as long as I can remember... Every time I lost weight I gained it back and then some). Explain how you think this surgery can help you. My regular doctor was understanding and signed off.

However, the bariatrician I saw in my very first appointment was a JERK. She was negative and because of my age, all but told me I'd fail. She tried to disuade me but throughout the 6 month supervised diet, that motivated me to prove her wrong. Down 30 lbs and i havent had the band yet. Just know it is a possibility some doctors may try to sway you against it because you're young. But don't give up!! You can do this.

FYI be careful how much wt you drop while on 6 month diet it can go against you and stop you from getting insurance approval. They have told some people you don't need it because you are doing fine without it. I made sure to not lose to much trueful going up and down can be better the dr has write note saying you failed all other wt lose attempts.

Daisychains FYI. Proving you can loose wt can cause your insurance to deny you. The dr has write that you have failed all other attempts to lose wt. the time to prove your dr wrong is after you get the band. Remember some people have been denied because they were loosening good without the band. I went up and down during the the 6 month dr supervised time only loosing 10 lbs showing I was motivated but still needed help. they set you up you need to fail so you can get the band

I just told my doctor that I wanted to have lap band and need the referral to the surgeon. Remember the doctor works for YOU. They don't get to make your health care decisions' date=' you do. If your doctor does not agree with the surgery, I would listen to their reasons, if they are valid, think about them. But if it things you already researched and understand, then ask for the referral regardless of the doctors feelings about the band. And if all else fails, change PCPs[/quote']

I went with this approach. I told him what I needed from him! Haha he discussed his concerns and said that I could do it on my own. Ultimately he did what I asked him to do. PCP's always send you out to "specialists" at least mine does so to me, this was another specialist! Get your way and if they don't comply, get another dr!!!! Oh and I also got a letter from my endocrinologist.... I wanted all bases covered!

Daisychains FYI. Proving you can loose wt can cause your insurance to deny you. The dr has write that you have failed all other attempts to lose wt. the time to prove your dr wrong is after you get the band. Remember some people have been denied because they were loosening good without the band. I went up and down during the the 6 month dr supervised time only loosing 10 lbs showing I was motivated but still needed help. they set you up you need to fail so you can get the band

Thanks for heads up Twi. That is one of my fears. My doctor said she needed me to follow my diet strictly so she could see i was ready for the band, but you just never know. I have heard of some people here losing on the supervised diet, some maintaining and some gaining who got approved. I'm just really hoping for the best. :/