Hi! My name is Angie and I am a newby. I have a group consult scheduled for Oct. 4th with Dr. Christopher Evanson in Indianapolis, Indiana. I have been so excited about having lap band done! While speaking to the office manager for Dr. Evanson this morning she told me that he normally won't do a Lap Band on someone with a BMI higher then 35. My BMI is 49. I am 5' 4' at 290 lbs and I am 38 yrs old. I was crushed! I am terrified of gastric bypass and not interested in the slightest bit!

I asked her why he had this rule. She said it was because people didnt lose as fast with the Lap Band and people with higher BMI's often get frustrated and end up wanting the gastric bypass anyway. I told her one of the things I liked about the Lap was the fact that you don't lose as fast with it. I don't really want to lose 20 pounds a month. I think it will be better for me to lose more gradually. I didnt put it on overnight and I do not expect it to come off overnight.

I told her that I really saw no need in going to the consult if Lap was out of the question. She pleaded with me to come and hear him out. She said that he might just listen to me and be pursuaded. He may find that I am the perfect candidate afterall. I am still pretty bummed because I feel like he is going to shut me down. Has anyone on here had this particular Dr do Lap Band with a BMI higher then 35? Just wondering if he can be pursuaded? I told this lady that I was truly shocked to hear this because I have read so many testimonials of people losing up to 200 lbs with Lap Band. I am off to try to get this lump put of my throat!!!

Wow. That really suprises me! Most docs (from what I have heard) will only band someone who's BMI is AT LEAST 35 with comorbidities or 40 without.

That is my doc's policy as far as I know!

Is this doctor your only option?

Wow. That really suprises me! Most docs (from what I have heard) will only band someone who's BMI is AT LEAST 35 with comorbidities or 40 without.

That is my doc's policy as far as I know!

Is this doctor your only option?

Well he is my best option. I have Medicare so I have to go to a Center of Excellence. I will be driving about 2 hrs to see him. I hate to have to drive any further then that for all my appts and fills. I have decided that I am going to that consult and stand my ground. I am going to make him hear me out. If he wont do it then I will have to look elsewhere

Wow Angie I'm so sorry to hear that your Dr. won't do a band over BMI of 35. My BMI was 60 and I was banded on 9/20. My dr said the surgery went fine and she was finished within an hour. Please keep us updated and hope all goes wells for you.

I am from Cincinnati and I am almost certain my doctors do, based on the people I have seen in the office and support group Since it is not too far from you you might want to consider going to see Cincinnati Weight loss Dr Osborne is who I had but there is another doctor there too Dr Mobley

Good luck I agree that gastric to me is not a good option manipulating your insides is scary. Yes you probably will loose slower but that is better I thought.

Good luck

Linda51

I am from Cincinnati and I am almost certain my doctors do, based on the people I have seen in the office and support group Since it is not too far from you you might want to consider going to see Cincinnati Weight loss Dr Osborne is who I had but there is another doctor there too Dr Mobley

Good luck I agree that gastric to me is not a good option manipulating your insides is scary. Yes you probably will loose slower but that is better I thought.

Good luck

Linda51

I looked up Dr Osborne & Mobley and they do not perform surgeries at a Center of Excellence. That is one of Medicare's requirements to get this paid for. Thanks for the tip tho.

Try Dr. Curry in Cincinnati. His office is a center of excellence. Here is his website: Trace W. Curry, M.D. Lap Band Surgeon :: Home

heres where I am trying to get my surgery done. Bariatric Weight Loss Center of Excellence

I've read some good reviews about them and they aren't far from Indy. Heck its closer for me then Indianapolis is.

heres where I am trying to get my surgery done. Bariatric Weight Loss Center of Excellence

I've read some good reviews about them and they aren't far from Indy. Heck its closer for me then Indianapolis is.

Telecia this is where I am having my consult. It is so close to Indianapolis that I was thinking that was where it was. I do think Dr Evanson does some surgeries in Indy so that is why I must have been thinking Indy. I am sorry! Who are you wanting to do your lap band?

Angie,

Try Dr. James Ray in Bloomington. I know it's not too close to Indy, but it's not that far. All he does are Lap Bands. I've had my initial consult with him and see the dietician and psychologist tomorrow. My BMI is 44; 5'10", 315lbs...

Dr. Ray has just built a new surgical center and office. They told me that they hope to have final approval to open the surgical center the end of next month.

Good Luck,

Adam

I had forgotten that I posted this. I just wanted to come back and update. I went to the consult in Oct 07 and the office manager was wrong. He didnt want to do lap on anyone with a bmi over 50. Mine was 51 :tongue2: But he was very open minded and heard me out. I told him all my reason's for wanting lap and why I felt I could make it work. He said ok, lets do it! I got my lap band in March 08 and have lost 85 lbs. I thought it was only fair to come back and clear my Drs name. Dr Christopher Evanson is awesome and will hear you out! I have seen him several times and even had to have my gallbladder removed by him. I have nothing but good things to say :cheated:

Well, that was very nice of you to come back and post that. Congrats on the weight loss.

This is exactly why I did my research and found the Dr. I felt had the best reputation, loads of patients who HIGHLY recommended him and was extremely knowledable in the area of practice. I live in Indianapolis also and opted to drive to Cincinatti to have Dr. Trace Curry at JourneyLite perfom my surgery since I was a self pay. Not only is he a great Dr. but his staff is so professional, knowledgeable, friendly and helpful and I was hooked after my consultation. To show how impressed I was, I went to a seminar, met with Dr. C the same day, scheduled all of my necessary apts. (nutritionist, psycologist, ekg, blood work) started my pre-op diet the following week and had surgery 2 1/2 weeks later. I am soooo happy I made that decision. I realise not everyone can do this, but I highly recommend you research, research, research. I know there are others in the city at IU Medical Center, St Vincents Bariatric etc... Keep your head up. You will find someone that you click with.

Hi! My name is Angie and I am a newby. I have a group consult scheduled for Oct. 4th with Dr. Christopher Evanson in Indianapolis, Indiana. I have been so excited about having lap band done! While speaking to the office manager for Dr. Evanson this morning she told me that he normally won't do a Lap Band on someone with a BMI higher then 35. My BMI is 49. I am 5' 4' at 290 lbs and I am 38 yrs old. I was crushed! I am terrified of gastric bypass and not interested in the slightest bit!

I asked her why he had this rule. She said it was because people didnt lose as fast with the Lap Band and people with higher BMI's often get frustrated and end up wanting the gastric bypass anyway. I told her one of the things I liked about the Lap was the fact that you don't lose as fast with it. I don't really want to lose 20 pounds a month. I think it will be better for me to lose more gradually. I didnt put it on overnight and I do not expect it to come off overnight.

I told her that I really saw no need in going to the consult if Lap was out of the question. She pleaded with me to come and hear him out. She said that he might just listen to me and be pursuaded. He may find that I am the perfect candidate afterall. I am still pretty bummed because I feel like he is going to shut me down. Has anyone on here had this particular Dr do Lap Band with a BMI higher then 35? Just wondering if he can be pursuaded? I told this lady that I was truly shocked to hear this because I have read so many testimonials of people losing up to 200 lbs with Lap Band. I am off to try to get this lump put of my throat!!!

Great! I didn't pay attention to how old this was. Sorry.

I had forgotten that I posted this. I just wanted to come back and update. I went to the consult in Oct 07 and the office manager was wrong. He didnt want to do lap on anyone with a bmi over 50. Mine was 51 :confused: But he was very open minded and heard me out. I told him all my reason's for wanting lap and why I felt I could make it work. He said ok, lets do it! I got my lap band in March 08 and have lost 85 lbs. I thought it was only fair to come back and clear my Drs name. Dr Christopher Evanson is awesome and will hear you out! I have seen him several times and even had to have my gallbladder removed by him. I have nothing but good things to say :thumbup: