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?

Thanks everyone for your imput! Good to know about the insurance company thing, I am not concerned considering I've tried everything and I lose a little then gain it back and more so I am not concerned with the insurance co. saying I can do it along. This is the smartest thing I will ever do for me and I won't let them stop me, I will make sure they hear what I have to say and that I am serious. I don't want to die young or have my kids have to live with a mom who can't do what she wants to do because of her weight. My mom had gastric bypass and she waited to long to do something, I missed out on playing outside, on having a mom who wanted to do stuff with me. I refuse to have my daughter go through that too. I am doing this for me and for her, I won't let anyone talk me into failure because I am done being unhealthy.

TWI is exactly right. My insurance is one which will deny you if you lose too much during the 6 month diet. My primary care doctor was wonderful in understanding this and helped me manage those few pounds that I would lose and gain back during my six month ( or what turned into 12) diet. He said that with me losing some and then gaining, it showed to my insurance that I was making an attempt;however that I was not being successful. My bariatric office was also good from the beginning about knowing what exactly my insurance would need and amounts. In fact, during my first attempt, they let me know that I would probably get a denial because of having the one year that was one BMI point too low. Everything that they advised me was dead accurate. If your center is a Center of Excellence, then they can probably tell you down to the penny what your out of pocket costs will be along with all requirements since they perform so many procedures. I left the seminar, knowing exactly what portion my insurance would cover, what extra requirements ( physical therapy, nutrition , 6 month diet, and 3 years of records), and even down to my copay for the nutritionist .

I made an appointment with my Dr. and when I was asked the reason for my appointment I told them I wanted a referral for weight loss surgery. When I went to the appointment my Dr. was very happy with my decision and referred me right away for it. She wants me off my meds and healthier and says the surgery will be a big plus.

I started with my insurance, called to make sure it was covered. they sent paper work detailing everything I would have to do. this made the process so much easier and left no confusion for me.

then I signed up for a seminar at the hospital, more paperwork given with much more info!

I am very happy I got so much information, by the time I had surgery I felt like I had most questions answered!

I started shadowing this site in Sept. I read & read. Learned a lot from the people who had already had the surgery.

OMG I got my referal, she was totally amazing about the situation. I told her I would love to get a referal for thsi to be healthier for myself and my child. I am super excited, now to meet the surgeon.