[O and L's Mom]

Hi everyone,

I haven't even started yet and I'm already discouraged! I had my first appt today and the dr I saw was not very encouraging. His first suggestion to me was to the the lapband! I have back and hip problems along with Fibromyalgia so I have't found any activities I can do without being in pain. My insurance doesn't cover lapband surgery so it's not even an option. I just had my anual physical a few months ago but he wants to do the EKG and bloodwork at his office. Should I just give up or find another dr? I felt kind of embarrassed and humiliated when I left his office.

[yohkos]

I'm sorry your insurance does not cover lapband. Insurance companies are coming around, so maybe next year. But you can lose weight without lapband. Yes, a big yes, change your doctor. There is no good reason to stick with a doctor that makes you feel embarrassed and humiliated. If your insurance company allows you to choose a different doctor, than I would do it if I were you. Maybe someone on the board could recommend someone who is more understanding. Just keep trying to find a good doctor, never stick with someone who can not relate to you. I think most of us have experienced crappy doctors. Let us know how it goes.

[yohkos]

I noticed your stats are very similar to mine. My insurance will not cover lapband unless you are at least 100 lbs overweight. It seems odd the doctor would recommend that especially without giving you a chance. Looks like someone just wants to make some big bucks.

[bonniejo714]

You are not alone..I am looking for a doctor in Tx near bryan. I will ask up front before I see another doctor if he prescribes before I pay. good luck...

[criss1990]

I had a bad experience with a doctor as well. I was 17 when i was diagnosed with insulin resistance and it seemed that my doctor felt it was my fault i was so heavy. she told me that I had one month to show improvement or she wouldnt write me any more prescriptions for my metformin ( a pill i take that helps with weight loss and insulin levels) i felt pressured so i stopped eating. and lost 5 pounds in one week. I eat healthy ive never liked sweets very much and fast food makes me sick. i was big because it runs in my family. the doctor put me on a guilt trip everytime i went it. so i got a new doctor she prescribed me phentermine and a lower dose of my metformin and now i eat 3 meals a day and i dont feel any pressure to lose weight quickly. i have lost 7 pounds and my insulin levels are going to a normal state. So dont feel bad its not your fault its the doctors and i strongly suggest getitng a new one.

[The_Sweetest_1]

O and L's Mom:

Why in the world would your dr suggest lapband at your weight? I would definitely be looking for a new dr.

[O and L's Mom]

He said it was because of my limited ability to do physical workouts due to my medical problems. He said he could put me on the Phen and B12 shots but he didn't think they would help me very much. He then went on to tell me he had a patient who purposely gained weight so she would be at that 100 lbs over her ideal weight just so she could get the surgery! I stopped him as he was telling me the story and told him I definitely wasn't doing that! Maybe he was just trying to get rid of me...I don't know.

[luvlex1017]

That was my doctors suggestion as well. She told me that it was her opinion that I would never lost weight without medical intervention. But you are no where NEAR close to qualifying for that. The process is crazy (I actually started the process). I takes about 6 months, you have to go to classes, see a dietician, no smoking, no drinking alcohol or soda ever again, you have to go in so many times for 'fills'. You have to lose 20-25 pounds before surgery. And when I started I wasn't even qualified for it at 227, because I had no health problems. And I said I wasn't going to go through this whole thing, gain weight from quitting smoking, just to be turned down because I wasn't fat enough at the start of it. Plus the whole never drinking again bugged me. I don't want to be skinny, but a prisoner in my own body.