I am enraged!!! I have been so worried about seeing a new PCP and having to get his approval for lapband. I had my appt today and he said he wants to check my thyroid before approving me. He said IF I have a hypoactive thyroid he wants to try my on a pill first which throws a wrench in my whole process! Plus I don't want to be on medication!!!! That's the point of the surgery... So I don't get to the point where I ever need medication for weight related health conditions

I know you're frustrated, but this is a good thing. If your thyroid is out of whack then you will need to be on medications to correct it. Otherwise, you won't lose weight even with the Lap Band. Unfortunately, just because you lose weight doesn't necessarily mean you'll be off all meds anyway. That's especially true when the damage to the body is already done or can't be fixed by weight loss. Thyroid issues are often not fixed by weight loss, in fact they are what causes the weight gain to begin with.

Your doctor is doing the right thing. Be patient, it's all in your best interest.

Mis is right. I have hypothyroid and take a daily dose of Levothyroxine and will, for the rest of my life. Once your thyroid is shot, that's it... meds are your future and they are crucial to your health and your life. Work with your doc to get your med balanced and take it faithfully. Your future self will thank your now self.

That said, thyroid med is not a magic weight loss bullet. I gained... almost 100 pounds while taking it. LOL So, get your balance and in the mean time keep howling about your band. And howling loud. I think that your doc thinks that you are going to start taking thyroid med, thinking that it will help you lose (sure didn't help me!) and you will shut up about the WLS.

If your doc can't support you maybe it is time for a new doc. If you insurance allows it, do what I did... Find your band surgery practice of choice (I went through True Results, they have been great) and do your thing independent of your PCP.

If this is something you have determined is the right thing for you, don't let anyone or their opinions stand in your way! Be a tank! Roll over them! Plow through them. This is your life, your health, your future. It is your opportunity to take.

The only issue is that this IS a new doc and I don't really have the time to bounce from Dr to Dr but I suppose if he'd rather me be on meds than have the surgery, I will have to postpone it and find another new Dr. I wish I could go independant of my PCP but I need a letter of medical necessity from him for my insurance co.

The only issue is that this IS a new doc and I don't really have the time to bounce from Dr to Dr but I suppose if he'd rather me be on meds than have the surgery, I will have to postpone it and find another new Dr. I wish I could go independant of my PCP but I need a letter of medical necessity from him for my insurance co.

That is a bummer. I don't know how long it would have taken me to get a letter out of my PCP.. She is pretty open to to what I need, overall but was a bit gun shy when I mentioned the band, at an appointment, earlier this year. She did hint, when she put me on thyroid med over a year ago that it might help me with my weight... Uh... No. So, don't let amyone pull you into that trap. You need the thyroid med but you also need your band.