Ok, I live in NYC. I am afraid to ask my physician for steps twoard getting banded because i'm afraid she will just say, JUSt excercise or brush it off as a foolish idea.

What steps did you take to convince your physician this is what you needed?:help:

This is your life, not your doctors! I would just tell your doc that you have been researching the lapband and feel it would be the best way for you to lose weight and be healthy. If your doctor doesn't support you, then find one who will. The lapband will change your life in such a great way! Don't let anyone stop you from that! :nervous

You don't have to go to your PCP to get approved for the lapband. I only saw the surgeon. But, I was self pay too, so that might matter, I don't know. It is your body, and your life. If you find your doctor is not with the idea, then go else where!!

I don't think that you need a physician's referral to start the process. If you attend an informational seminar and have written info in hand when you approach your doc, she may be impressed that you did your research before considering the band. Be ready with the "right answers" about how you know that the band is a tool, not a magic bullet etc.

There is an excellent program at NYU with Drs. Christine Ren and George Fielding. Khaliah Ali got banded there are wrote a book "Fighting Weight" about her experience.

Go for it! I wish the band had been available when I was your age. Good luck and keep us posted!

Your doctor works for you, not the other way around. Tell him that you ARE going to be having this done, and ask who he recommends. That's the way I did it, and it worked out fine.

When I first talked to my PCP about the lap band in April, his response was also to eat less and exercise. I had been seeing him for the last 6 years about my weight as it was. He was and is totally against this. I was banded on July 9th and I am in the process of finding a lap band friendly doctor. I too think that they work for us and should be supportive. If is that they don't have the complete picture, then they should do more research. I am so glad that I was banded... although weight is coming off slowly, I am OK with that because I know a year from now I will be a much happier, confident person. Good luck!

(I'm a self-payer so not sure if it makes a difference)

I never even really told my PCP. I went to the informational session and then started the pre-surgery requirements. One of which was blood work with my PCP and some sort of letter of statement from him. I just made the appt for the blood work and handed over the sheet of requirements. He never said anything about it one way or the other...guess he figured I had already done the legwork and made a decision if I was that far.

My PCP actually asked me if I'd ever considered it... I gave a quick and resounding "NO" back to him... well..... after thinking about it and reading more about the procedure... how it's done, and how it works... I changed my mind.... I wasted well over a year "pondering" but feel great about my decision now...

I emailed him yesterday to ask for a letter of support... I had an enthusiastic "OF COURSE... tell me where to send it!"

By the time I see him again, I will have been thru my 4 hour appt with the psych, nutritionist and surgeon... I can't wait to update him!!!

katie

A few years ago I thought I wanted bypass and went to see my PCP to talk about it. I was a mess and cried the whole time I was talking to her. She said the out pouring of emotion was a pretty good indicator it wasn't the right decsion for me, in her opinion. Thank GOD I didn't do it!

When I learned about the lapband I KNEW it's what I wanted. I set up the appt with her and gave her the reasons why and so forth with out all the emotional hoo-ha. She was like, "You know what you want and you'll be my first. Let's get started."

So, if you have good reason for wanting the band and can articulate that to your doctor, if he or she hears you, you should be okay.

Lovli23-I am a self pay but i know how you feel. I just went to the surgen as my pcp is a real jerk. Even if I had a cold he would say it was because of my weight and to quit eating. When I get this lapband he's FIRED!

It was my PCP that recommended me getting the band. I have been with this Doc for years and he has documented all my stuggles with yo-yo dieting. My last check up he asked if I would at least check into banding. Even gave me the name of the surgeon who will be doing my surgery once I get approved by insurance. My Doc has been very supportive. Thank God!

Hi there! First of all, you shouldn't be afraid to discuss improving your health with your doctor. If she isn't supportive of your desire to take charge of your weight and health, then its time to find a new doctor!

I'm not sure where you live in NYC, but my PCP is in Clark, NJ... just over the Goethals bridge and was extremely supportive. I know its a bit of a drive, but I would completely recommend him if you live in Staten Island. He kept encouraging me during my 6-month supervised weight loss period and wrote two very strongly worded letters of support to submit to my insurance. The letters worked and I was approved for surgery within 1 week.

Good luck and let me know if you'd like information on my PCP or surgeon. I'd highly recommend both!

Thanks for all your suggestions...I have been reading information online about banding after a distant associate got banded about 6 months ago and she looks fabulous. I am often sad and depressed about my weigth andhave tried every diet- well almost. I dont plan on spending anymore more money on deadends. Its time I take control and make a more pro-active decision to do something about this weight.

I thought to myself...every year I make a claim and I always fail...I need help. So are there any other books or research I should do besides this website? FarmerE spoke about an "information session"....how can i go about doing that?

Luvli..the information session is something that they hold either once a month or a couple times a month at the hospital that does the surgery. I have seen others talk about going to some kind of meeting as well. Start looking for surgeons in the area you live that do the banding and ask them if they hold an informational meeting.

The surgeon talked about what it was like, the complications, the lifestyle changes, etc. Mine had a couple people that had been banded for a while also come in so we could ask real questions and get real answers.

I'm glad that you are doing some research a head of time. It sure helps. As far as books go, there is a book called "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" that was pretty interesting to read. It's set in plain language and gave a lot of information about the different types and how to work with insurance, the whole nine yards. I'm drawing a blank on the other one I read but I'll get back to you once I remember it.

Also....if you decide this is truly something you want to do...get a Magic Bullet blender or something similar. It will be your best friend.

Good luck!

not to be facetious, but..

step 1--make appt

step 2--go to appt

step 3--discuss my concerns (prob diabetes)

step 4--say "I have been researching weight loss surgery, whatdo you think?"

step 5 when he says the only one he cold recommend for me wodl be lapband was--sigh in elief over not having to fight!

(I really worried abot it but it was really very simple)

When I asked my PCP for advise about the lap band, she gave me the usual pre-printed diet and told me to diet and exercise. Another time she told me to do South Beach. She made a disapproving face and told me to do the work - diet and exercise. But we all tried that - over and over through the years and it didn't work for us. Then I mentioned it to my OBGNY -- she had several patients who had weight loss surgery and had great results. After checking with one of her patients, she gave me her phone # and I was able to actually talk in person to someone who had the procedure done and who recommend a doctor.

I had my surgery done at a hospital that has the "Center of Excellence" for bariatric surgery. Maybe you could search for a hospital that has that designation near you - they always have seminars and you could attend to get more information and speak to other people who have already had the surgery done. Good luck to you and even though it's uncomfortable for you, don't let one doctor's negativity discourage you!