My GP shot me down today. I was so excited after months preperation of going to the intro seminar, getting my sleep study, getting a cpap, getting my psych study, and last was getting my GP approval. He denied me saying that I hadn't done enough. He wants another six months with a detailed journal of my exercise. He prescibed wellbutrin, and said to come back in a month. I'm really dissappointed. Anyone else have this happen, and if so, is there anything that can be done? I'm really commited to this and I feel confident I can make the necessary lifestyle changes (I have already began). Any suggestion?

BTW, my insurance dosen't require ANY of this. All they care is if your BMI is over 40, or 35 with comorbities (or however you spell that).

Do you need your GP's approval for insurance reasons? If not, you can just go right ahead with the surgery without him. I'm not saying to ignore your doctor's advice but if you and your surgeon/program feel that you've prepared for this and that you are a good candidate, your GP may not realize this or may be against the band/WLS in general. If this is the case, you may want to switch GPs.

Do you need your GP's approval for insurance reasons? If not, you can just go right ahead with the surgery without him. I'm not saying to ignore your doctor's advice but if you and your surgeon/program feel that you've prepared for this and that you are a good candidate, your GP may not realize this or may be against the band/WLS in general. If this is the case, you may want to switch GPs.

No, my insurance only requires a BMI over 40>, or 35 with comobidities (sp?). It seems like it the band Doc that requires the GP approval.

You may not need his approval to be approved from the insurance co but you may need his clearense for the operation.

You may not need his approval to be approved from the insurance co but you may need his clearense for the operation.

That's what I'm thinking. I'm gonna call the band docs office tommorow, but I'm not sure if anything can be done, and I don't see my GP giving me approval for A LONG LONG time if ever. Not sure what my next step will be if anyting.

what insurance company do you have?

what insurance company do you have?

BC/BS Michigan. Not a HMO, or anything, only 10% copay, and only 1000 out of pocket per year

seems a real shame you had to spend so much time AND money b4 talking to the GP...seems unreasonable to require you to do that as last thing.

I live in Tennessee and had the LAP BAND brand surgery last Thursday the 15th. My GP and endocronologist (spelling ??) were urging me to do the deed. I weighed almost 400 b4 the presurgery diet and have since lost 37 pounds. good luck

seems a real shame you had to spend so much time AND money b4 talking to the GP...seems unreasonable to require you to do that as last thing.

I live in Tennessee and had the LAP BAND brand surgery last Thursday the 15th. My GP and endocronologist (spelling ??) were urging me to do the deed. I weighed almost 400 b4 the presurgery diet and have since lost 37 pounds. good luck

Ya, I'm pretty down about it tonight. I'm glad I did the sleep study, and got on a cpap, I love to sleep now. But I'll call the doc tommorow to see if anything can be done, but it don't look good.

why not go to another GP for the clearense? Think about that. All you'll need to do is visit a doctor in your area for a "physical" but be sure he's someone that supports the surgery.

For the clearense you'll only need to have a doctor complete the form the hospital gives you. Do you bloodwork with the hospital.

Is there someone you can ask that has this procedure in your area?

I agree with getting a new GP. I started seeing my current GP after I had already decided to get the surgery and had started my pre-op testing. I told her of all my past attempts to lose weight and she supported me from the get go. I would definitely try to find one that will support you getting the surgery. This is ultimately your decision, not your GP's.

I would find another GP in a heartbeat. Unless he has a medical reason for his opinion, I'd get a second opinion. Have you had this GP for a long time? Does he know your history with weight? My insurance requires a year of documentation from my doc in a structured weight loss program.

Good Luck. I hope it works out for you

wimpys

I would find another GP in a heartbeat. Unless he has a medical reason for his opinion, I'd get a second opinion. Have you had this GP for a long time? Does he know your history with weight? My insurance requires a year of documentation from my doc in a structured weight loss program.

Good Luck. I hope it works out for you

wimpys

I've been with him about 10 years. He's knows the struggles I've gone through, and the weight I put on after smoking and the stuggles of trying different ways to lose weight. I would rather to this with my doc, but I'll do it without him if need be.

Ok, called my band doc today, and talked to the assistant. Told them that my PCP will not give me the recomendation, but my insurance does not require it. She told me that the doc usually prefers that the PCP be onboard with it, but she'll talk to my lap band doc and call me back. So now my fate is in his hands. Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Let us know what he says. Good luck!

Good luck!