I went to my PCP today for a pre op check up for some eye surgery Im having next week, and mentioned to her that Im seriously considering Lap Band WLS. She asked why the band, and not bypass. I told her my reasons, she started to tell me that she hadnt read or heard of many good results from the band, just really started bashing the band. I told her that I needed this surgery if for no other reasons but to have a tool to make my self more accountable, and to help me get to a point that i havent been able to get to on my own. Now the best part, she then stated "WELL WHY NOT JUST DO IT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY, EXERCISE AND DIET". ARGHHHHHHHH :) After I had just told her i had tried every diet under the sun, and then some . Im just hoping now that I dont have to get a referral from her. Just had to vent.

jack always has good advice, how did he get so smart?

Hi Kim, I'm going to give you my honest opinion on this. I can only speak from personal experience and someone (probably several someones) may tell you totally different. BUT, much evidence is to be found here to support this. Your PCP is not entirely wrong. The evidence shows that the band is SAFER. That is not even debatable. BUT, in terms of results, look around and you will see MANY lap band failures with very few HUGE losses. Yes, you may see small losses but you see those with weight watchers and other diets. You will see lots of regains. I don't say this to discourage you from the band. But, before you totally crucify your PCP, just be aware that many docs, including the surgeon who did my surgery, are now saying that the band, statistically speaking, will not give you the same results as RNY. The risk is much lower, though and for me, RNY was a risk I wasn't and still am not willing to take. So, I'm going to try again with my band.

Your statement that you made, "WELL WHY NOT JUST DO IT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY, EXERCISE AND DIET". ARGHHHHHHHH makes me think that maybe you are expecting something other than what the band can provide. The band will not stop cravings or binges. If you decide you want to eat 10 oreos or half a quart of ice cream, the band will not stop you so there is a huge measure of diet and exercise involved and many of us have found ourselves asking, "If I needed major willpower, diet and crazy exercising, why did I have the band?" Please don't think I'm disagreeing with you, but I just would hate to see anyone go through what I've been going through for the last year. Go in with your eyes wide open. The tool doesn't work for the main things that cause people to be obese and that is grazing, eating when we aren't hungry and eating junk food. My personal experience has been that my band has made it very hard to eat the things that are good for me and very easy to eat the things that are not good for me. Again, let me reiterate that the band does work for some people who are just ready for a change but I challenge that any diet followed with the same resolve, would've given the same results. It may work great for you and I believe the band CAN work, it just requires A LOT of effort as compared to RNY, with no negative feedback or very little. Its a lot less forgiving than RNY since there is no malabsorption.

My suggestion is that if you trust your PCP with your general health and you just have a difference of opinion on this issue that you question why she feels the way she does about it and ask her to show you her sources. Then, honestly consider that she might just want you to get the best results. If you truly feel this surgery is right for you, explain to her that you are well aware that it will be a struggle and will still involve diet and exercise and give your own research results. Maybe she'd still be willing to give you a letter for the insurance.

I wish you the very best of luck. I hope your band surgery is an absolute success!

Jennifer

If you have an HMO, you will need to get a recommendation from your PCP before your insurance will even think about covering the surgery. Changing PCPs is no big deal. There are some who are very WLS supportive.

Jennifer: At the proper fill amount, the band DOES significantly decrease my grazing and cravings. What was impossible work on my diet and health has become hard work and entirely possible with the band. The stats my Dr. gave me were that on average, a lap band patient loses half their unnecessary weight and keeps it off. the gastric bypass person on average loses 70% of their unnecessary weight and regains 20% of it. You beat the averages if you do what you said...exercise and work the program alot. My willpower has always been nonexistent. With the band, it is better. "Better" to me is a miracle.

I agree with Betsyjane. I was banded last September and I have lost weight thanks to this tool. I simply cannot eat as much and even though I am now retired and thus in close proximity to my kitchen I am eating much, much less. The band won't allow me to eat as much as I used to do. A lot of the success of the band hinges on getting the right amount of fill. And it will work poorly on an oreo and icecream diet. :faint: You do have to collaborate with the band.

Because I don't have those big meals anymore I deal with my food obsession by paying more attention to what I am going to eat. I pay a lot of attention to the breakdown of calories and vitamins, fibre, and proteins, etc present in prepared foods, both canned and frozen, and I make a point of trying to add fresh produce to my meals. I also take vitamin supplements because I don't always do a good job.:phanvan

And best wishes on your recommitment to your band, rtgirl!

Hi Kim, I'm going to give you my honest opinion on this. I can only speak from personal experience and someone (probably several someones) may tell you totally different. BUT, much evidence is to be found here to support this. Your PCP is not entirely wrong.

Jennifer,

Thank you for being so honest and upfront. I am still trying to decide what path I want to take and it is refreashing to hear differing opinions once in a while!

Amy

Just wanted to let everyone know that my PCP did, in fact, sign my recommendation letter for the lap band surgery. After I told here everything that I had learned, and read, and saw, and talked about, for months. What was so funny, was that I went to see her because Ive been having severe knee and hip pain lately. which im sure is arthritis. She agreed, and said if I would lose some weight my arthritis would probably not give me any problems. I told her that if she would sign my recommendation letter that i could lose weight. She also told me that i needed to stop smoking to have the surgery, I told her that if she would prescribe chantix for me, that i could stop smoking. I walked out of the office a winner that day!

Thanks to all of you for your words of wisdome and support.

Sounds like you're doing things in a good order. There's another person somewhere on this site who is having trouble getting started on exercise because she has other illnesses and because she smokes so much. If you can get the smoking stopped and then do the band to help stop what otherwise might be even more weight gain, and then get the exercise started, you've taken on a HUGE task, but a worthy one. Good for you.

yea thats what i kinda thought.. gaining weight has always been a big reason why i didnt like to stop smoking. cause the weight goes on REALLY fast. So i thought if i quit now, then get the lap band, that will take care of the weight, plus i will have healthier lungs so i can exercise more.