Okay - so I have been tossing around the idea of the band for months now. Doing my research, going to seminars and such. Today I had an appointment with my Family doc and wanted his opinion on the lap-band. He gave me a few sentences about it is a fine process for those who have really tried all other methods (which I have) then asked me if I exercise. I admitted that exercise is my downfall and I have difficulty finding an exercise I can stick due to feet problems and can't do the water exercise since I get horrible nausea after being in for 1 min. Anyhow, I know there are things I could do and HAVE in the past. I have kept 40lbs off from prebvios efforts.

Long story short he begins to tell me how HE is up at the crack of dawn to exercise and if I would just add exercise to my diet I will lose the weight.

So I know I need to exercise. But has he ever tried to exercise with an extra 150lbs pressing on his ankles and knees! Believe me......I would LOVE to exercise. I hope one day I can do those challenges I read about on here but now I get tired cleaning my stinking house and chasing the 2y/o.

So am I not getting it or does my doctor not get it?

I left the office not really clear on his opinions toward the surgery. :sad:

I think your doctor is trying to look out for your best interests. Weight loss surgery is not for everyone and this probably seems like a sudden suggestion to him.

Start keeping a journal cataloging what you are eating each day and all your activity. Hey, chasing two year olds and cleaning is still exercise!

Doing this will have a double edged effect. You can see for yourself how you really eat and make changes accordingly. Sometimes, writing down that you had a Kitkat emphasises the event and makes you less likely to cave a second time :sad:. So be sure to BE HONEST. The second effect is that if you're really not losing weight with healthy food choices, you can show it to your doctor. This will help show how serious you are about the procedure and open the floor to a serious discussion to the pros and cons for you personally.

Honestly, I don't think your doctor gets it. My guess that he has never had a serious weight problem and has no idea how its feels to exercise with an extra 100 lbs. I know this feeling very well. With all that excess weight, it's hard enough to get through your normal activities, let alone hit the gym for an hour on the treadmill. Honestly, although I'm at the gym 4 days a week now, I didn't start exercising until I got 80 lbs off. That made everything easier and I actually enjoyed it, somewhat. He is right that exercise is important, but I doubt it will be the answer to all your problems.

I'm fortunate...My doctor actually recommended the surgery to me and I am so grateful that she did. She knew all about weight issues and knew that I had tried everything repeatedly and nothing worked in the long term. If you are serious about wanting the surgery, I'd pursue it either with or without his approval. Sometimes, you just have to find the doctor who understands you.

I know this doctor is looking out for my interest. I can get that. Unfortunately, I just moved to the area and this is only the 2nd time he has seen me. He has not seen me struggle for the past 14years as my old doctor has. I guess I just get tired of the lecture no matter what I go in for. You have the sniffles???? Oh, well it must be weight related....:sad:

I know I have bad habbits that have to change. I am scared that I will go through this and eventually fall into bad habbits. I wonder if eventually I will think like a thin person and not a fat one. But I HAVE to do something.....I would LOVE to exercise....and can't wait to join and try different sports. That is what I like. More competitive exercise. I will get this done. It the mean time, I may have to look for a more understanding PCP. Maybe I can ask the weight loss surgeon for a recomendation.

I didn't even ask my primary care doctor about the surgery, I researched on my own and made an appt with the sugeon. It helps that I work with him--but I never needed any letter from a primary care doctor or anything, just a pre-op history and physical--and my insurance covered the surgery. I figure that most primary care doctors do not know all that the could about the procedure, so going to them seemed pointless since I can learn all that they know about the procedure on my own.

However, be aware that exercise is a very necessary part of losing weight with a lap band--and it does get a lot easier. I've lost 27 pounds and things are already sooooo much easier!

I made my decision without talking to my primary care doctor. I went to see her for a blood pressure check at the end of February, told her my decision, and asked who she recommended as a surgeon. She gave me a name, and was very supportive, said my HBP could eventually go down to normal, the kidneys problems may stop, and I'd get healthier. But then, I have an awesome Doctor!

My GP is the one who suggested the band. My best friend had it. I did all the research to see how it would work for me. In my case, it was for my GERD, completely uncontrolled with every other measure we'd tried and no one of my many physicians seemed to be able to suggest anything new or helpful. Your doctor is right, this is not something to jump into and you will probably have to jump through hoops for your insurance anyways. Find out what you need to do and then get him behind you. Don't get frustrated, give yourself the tools and knowledge to get you where you want to be.

Doctors are only people. They have the same faults an misconceptions as everyone else. We tend to think of them as some type of be all and know all. Not true. They have more specialized education then we do however, bariatric doctors have even more specialized education. Seek the opinion of a bariatric doctor and listen to yourself. You are the specialist on you.

You have the sniffles???? Oh, well it must be weight related....

:cursing:

I had at least a dozen doctors that have done this to me... it makes you so mad!!

But anyways i had a doctor similar.. she acted like she was all for it but when it came to having her to give approval to my surgeon she said she did agree with it and said "i dont believe in weight loss surgeries only diet and excercise work" ... luckily my surgeon stuck up for me!!!

Anyways my advice is to go to a lapband seminar an make the decision that is right for you.. there are millions of forums and websites about the band with lots of info..

if i hadn't took my own initiative i probably would be well over 300lbs by now and misirable trying stupid diets that didnt work for me... but keep in mind just becuase this was right for me doesnt mean its right for everyone.. you have to decide that..

--Jen

P.S.. I also agree with the excercise.. it is so much harder to do if you have an extra 100+ lbs. to lug around...

been there don that...and dont plan on going back there either:wub:

Edited November 7, 200916 yr by Jeni 85