I just came back from seeing the "exercise specialist". I am so frustrated and confused and I have to admit discouraged too! He tells me in order to get to my goal weight I need to change my eating habits (I GET THAT) and that I need to exercise (I GET THAT). He is telling me that if I follow his instructions my BMI will reduce and I will be down to my goal weight and I won't need the lapband and the insurance will not approve me.

Since I started this adventure in May, I have attended seminars, support groups, seen the surgeon, the Weight Loss Specialist, the Dietician, the Psych, and now the Exercise specialist. All of which have a $40.00 copay with my insurance each time I walk in the door. Now my gripe is not the money. But what burns my A** is some skinny dude sitting across the desk from me telling me I need to make changes. I know that, I got it. I've tried. I've had a weight issue since I was 12 years old. Does he think I just now decided to try to do something about it? I've done all the "diets" and I lose, no problem. Keeping it off is another story, I yo-yo and gain it back and more! Does he think if I could do it on my own I would be wanting the lapband to begin with?

I lost 10 pound since June 11th. I am trying. He wants me to lose another 10 in the 8 weeks I'm due to go back. I can do that. But 36 years of weight issues have taught me that my weight loss is temporary. I fear this guy is not on my side where the lapband is concerned. I'm really discouraged!

I'm confused. Do you have to lose a % of your body fat before being banded? Why do you have to go to this guy?

I have to lose 10% of my body weight. I have to lose 27 pounds. I'm a third there! I have to go to this guy because he works with the Weight loss specialist doctor. Per my insurance I have to do a year of medically supervised dieting to be approved.

I am so bummed!

So if you lose 27 lbs in say 5 months you still have to wait 7 months? What if your BMI drops down too low?

Oh i had that conversation with my doctor. I had a borderline BMI and i was afraid to go on a diet because if my BMI dropped I would not qualify. She told me that they go by your intial weight at consult. But you should talk to your doctor about that guy, does he realize that he is referring people to someone who is anti weight loss surgery? I would also check and make sure your doctor uses your intial weight. Good luck!

That is exactly what I asked! He says my insurance won't approve my banding if my BMI is low. And from what I understand I do have to complete a full year. Why doesn't this guy just tell me which exercises are best with the band so I do them now. Why not discuss foods and how to eat when I get the band. I get that I have to lose some weight for my liver....but I also know that my weight lose will be for a short time without the band. I have been fat for 36 years or more!

Babs, I suggest you be frank with your "exercise specialist" and tell him although you appreciate his opinion you have realized that your weight is a problem and that despite the fact that you diet and lose weight you are unable to keep it off and you would appreciate he/she assist you in whatever way possible so that you may prepare for your upcoming surgery. I don't see why the surgeon would send you to someone who is trying to talk you out of surgery??? I understand your frustrations because my GP did not approve of the surgery either. I did it and don't regret it. I'm down 44 lbs and feeling great. I also did not have to wait long after my consultation...I was banded a month and a half after...unfortunately I had to pay $16k CDN...after seeing the results that no longer bothers me.

I can not even begin to describe my disgust of people that have NEVER had a weight issue, telling those of us who do, that we don't need surgery...just diet and exercise!!! I just want to kick the crap out of them, and as they lay there, bleeding profusely, tell them "you don't need a doctor to sew you back up, you just need to shake it off and toughen up!" then hand them a band aid!!!!! (OK, day dream over)

Honestly, I would look right in Mr. Beefcakes eyes and say..."OH, how much weight did you lose??" And after he's done stammering around and tells me about the 10 pounds he dropped and muscle he gained, I say..."that's what I thought...you never had a weight problem, but all of a sudden you're the Dali Lama of weight control! When you've walked a mile in my shoes, then preach to me about diet and exercise!"

I can not even begin to describe my disgust of people that have NEVER had a weight issue, telling those of us who do, that we don't need surgery...just diet and exercise!!! I just want to kick the crap out of them, and as they lay there, bleeding profusely, tell them "you don't need a doctor to sew you back up, you just need to shake it off and toughen up!" then hand them a band aid!!!!! (OK, day dream over)

Honestly, I would look right in Mr. Beefcakes eyes and say..."OH, how much weight did you lose??" And after he's done stammering around and tells me about the 10 pounds he dropped and muscle he gained, I say..."that's what I thought...you never had a weight problem, but all of a sudden you're the Dali Lama of weight control! When you've walked a mile in my shoes, then preach to me about diet and exercise!"

Amen Sista. You tell em'

Send him here, let us have a little fun with him. (cackle cackle)

Thanks so much for the support, you got me laughing and I needed that!

I will send him here! I'm going to see my surgeon again before I see this butthead so I will have a heart to heart with my Dr. about it all. Thanks again!

I can not even begin to describe my disgust of people that have NEVER had a weight issue, telling those of us who do, that we don't need surgery...just diet and exercise!!! I just want to kick the crap out of them, and as they lay there, bleeding profusely, tell them "you don't need a doctor to sew you back up, you just need to shake it off and toughen up!" then hand them a band aid!!!!! (OK, day dream over)

Honestly, I would look right in Mr. Beefcakes eyes and say..."OH, how much weight did you lose??" And after he's done stammering around and tells me about the 10 pounds he dropped and muscle he gained, I say..."that's what I thought...you never had a weight problem, but all of a sudden you're the Dali Lama of weight control! When you've walked a mile in my shoes, then preach to me about diet and exercise!"

Double Amen.

What nerve!

Muscial you're sassy! Ya gotta love sassy!

I was self pay so I didn't have to deal with the insurance headaches (Thank you, God!)....but as I understand it, one of the things the insurance companies are looking for is whether or not you can be disciplined enough to lose weight. The statistics show that those who have the most success with weight loss surgery are those that have lost weight in the past (but not necessarily are able to keep it off). Comprende? So maybe a conversation with your insurance representative is the one you should be having....to find out what happens "if"...

Best of luck to you. I feel your frustration

I would go by what the surgeons office thinks, and not the exercise specialist. In my experiene, I lost some weight by going through the diet and exercise program, and I still got the insurance to pay for the surgery.

The insurance makes it a hassle, but it also helps ensure you are ready for life after surgery.