So back in June I went to the doctor to see if I could have the lapband done. NO!!. My doctor wouldn't approve it. You know what upsets me the most is that everything that is wrong with me my doctors claim its from me being overweight. (Skipped periods, muscle tenderness... blah blah) So why won't they approve it?? Why can't I just get one break in my life?? I am just so tired of worrying about it(being fat) and not being able to go to the mall and come home with 50 bags, all from different shops and not just containing shoes.:faint:Maybe I should just save up the money and pay for it myself. Which will totally be dumb because if my doctor would approve it, my insurance would pay for it all. :whoo::faint::faint:

Perhaps it is time for a new GP? Someone more supportive?

Best of luck.

Perhaps it is time for a new GP? Someone more supportive?

Best of luck.

Yes, I probably do... just how would I find one? Any advice would be appreciated. :help:

Oh, and I hate to add this part, but I must! Shoe fetishes are not cured by weight loss. Just ask my credit card!

LOL. Thats hilarious. That is also good to know.

Yes, I probably do... just how would I find one? Any advice would be appreciated. :help:

I really have no idea. I live in Australia, and things work a little differently here. Can you search online for local doctors?

Look in your health insurance booklet. There should be a listing of doctors in your area in there. If not...give your insurance company a call and try to locate a new doctor. Good luck!

what i did was went to the insurance companys web site clicked on find a doctor. it asked me what speciality and area and it gave me a list of doctors. maybe try that

Do you have to get approval by your GP because you have an HMO or were you just trying to go about it the right way? if you dont have an HMO and feel that strongly about getting the lap band start looking for a lap band doctor. Most of them have all of their own testing they require and depending on your medical problems will need copies of your medical records which your GP cannot deny you.

I would also think a lap band surgeons office could refer you to a lap band friendly GP so call one of them and explain to them your situation.

Good Luck!

Do you have to get approval by your GP because you have an HMO or were you just trying to go about it the right way? if you dont have an HMO and feel that strongly about getting the lap band start looking for a lap band doctor. Most of them have all of their own testing they require and depending on your medical problems will need copies of your medical records which your GP cannot deny you.

I would also think a lap band surgeons office could refer you to a lap band friendly GP so call one of them and explain to them your situation.

Good Luck!

The thing about my insurance is that my regular doctor has to approve everything before my insurance will pay for it. so going and finding my own doctor is out of the question unless I want to pay for everything myself. :nervous

Bluejay,

Don't give up too easily on the insurance. You have to have a fighter attitude though, so bulk up for the fight! Start with your surgeon's office. Speak to the person who handles the insurance, tell him/her what you have and explain that your PCP has denied support and you need a recommendation for a PCP on your plan. They'll have one for you -- they want you as a patient so they have motivation to help you.

You've really not exhausted what you need to exhaust before you give up on having insurance pay. One PCP is really not the end of the road on that....hang in there!

Is there a medical reason he won't approve it? If he is merely anti-lap band then I would find a new doc. If there is a medical reason that is a whole 'nother ball game.

Hi there, is your bmi over 40? It has to be over 40 or if not 35 if you have issues like high blood pressure or diabetes. If not, then the insurance wouldn't pay. Why did your doctor say he wouldn't approve it? Does he not "believe" in it?

Regards,

Alfie

Blue Jay, I would change doctors.

So back in June I went to the doctor to see if I could have the lapband done. NO!!. My doctor wouldn't approve it. You know what upsets me the most is that everything that is wrong with me my doctors claim its from me being overweight. (Skipped periods, muscle tenderness... blah blah) So why won't they approve it?? Why can't I just get one break in my life?? I am just so tired of worrying about it(being fat) and not being able to go to the mall and come home with 50 bags, all from different shops and not just containing shoes.:faint:Maybe I should just save up the money and pay for it myself. Which will totally be dumb because if my doctor would approve it, my insurance would pay for it all. :whoo::faint::faint:

UM, NOOOO do not do self pay! I had this problem, and you know what I did I found another Dr. You should as well! Evne if you did do self pay and kept that Dr they would not be supportive of you anyway, so find someone who will help you! Good luck, No self pay!!

I "forced" my PCP to let me get the lapband only to have the lapband surgeon decide against it at the last minute due to having had a stroke the previous year. I ended up having a hysterectomy 6 weeks after my cancelled lapband. At my post-op visit and after reading the surgeons report, seemed to me if I could handle a hysterectomy, what's a little ol' lapband going to harm? My OB/GYN told me to bring the surgery report from the hysterectomy to my lapband doctor and lo and behold, he ended up approving it. He sent the report to my PCP; I'll get my PCP's reaction on the 28th. My PCP wasn't sad at the time that the lapband surgeon refused to do it. *grin*