I spoke with a Dr. today (new, I have not seen him before) and #1. He will only give me a referral within the system He/I work for (I work for a hospital), thereby excluding the other hospital which is where the majority of lap band surgeries are done. #2. He was very condescending and discouraging. Told me I would never meet the criteria for a lap band as my BMI is barely over 35 and high cholestrol and breast cancer and back and knee pain and depression and sleep problems and failing over and over again for the past 40+ years to take the weight off and keep it off are not enough for insurance to cover me. He told me "just eat a little less and exercise a little more. You can do it":sad:

I will NOT go back to him again. However I did get a referral from him to see a lap band surgeon (the only one) in the system (albeit 70 miles away!) so I guess I will talk to them and take it from there.

I am hoping and praying for help. I really believe in my heart of hearts that lap band is key to my health. I have run out of other options. Thank you for listening. Joy

p.s. I have been reading here for several weeks now and have no doubt this is the answer I am searching for. For those of you who pray, please pray for a miracle for me. Thank you.

Don't give up. My BMI is barely over 35 too and I am being banded on Nov.19th. My dr. told me that if I did not take care of my weight problem now it would only get worse over the next few years. He also said he thought that the lap band was a smart choice for me. If you really know this is right for you and your health you can make it happen. Hopefully, the next dr. you see will be the one for you. Good Luck!

H & H, where in ND are you from? I was banded at St. A's in Bismarck. I'm sure not happy to hear that you were treated this way. It sounds like you have one of those docs who just think fat people are lazy.... I felt respected by the surgeon who did mine and have no complaints about any of the staff I have had to deal with. Hope all goes well and this will be behind you soon... Best of luck.... Julie

Hey HopeandHealing,

I am getting banded on May 3rd with Dr. Brandon Helbling through St. Alexis / Mid Dakota Clinic in Bismarck. I had just moved to Mandan from Minot and setup a new primary care doctor at MEd Center One and he refused to discuss or refer me for weight loss surgery so I found a new docotor in Mandan at one of the St Alexis clinics there and told her that I needed a new primary care docotor and what my goal was and what the doctor from Med Center One told me. I asked her to review my medical history from my doctors in Minot and after that if she would consider refering me for Lap Band. She was amazed at hope prepared I was before seeing her and a week later after getting my medical records from Minot she setup the referal to Dr. Brandon Helbling. That was January 11th, I had my psch eval, dietary session and appointment with Dr. Brandon Helbling on Janurary 18th and now my Surgery is set for May 3rd after getting my insurance approval. Feel free to contact me for the name of my primary care doctor if you would like.