efizzle34

Hi I'm looking to change my doctor, he does not recommend Lap-Band and my Insurance (MediCal) says they will cover whatever is recommended by my primary doctor. So you can imagine I'm kinda pissed my doc doesn't want to help me out. Was wondering if anyone from Southern California area who's doctor has recommended them for surgery, doctors name and how it went? Thanks

Whos your doc? are u in so cal?

Wondering if anyone has this insurance in Southern California, and has had the Lap-Band? who is your Primary doctor and how was your experience? * my doctor said my insurance won't pay for the process, and wants to get me in touch with a dietician. i called my insurance and they said they will pay for whatever is deemed medically necessary!! my BMI is 60+ so looking to change doctors to one that has recommended the band on this insurance. thanks!

Hello, i live in southern california, i have Medi-Cal insurance (HealthNet, Mainstream Molina) i called my insurance and asked about bariatric/lap-band surgery coverage and was told they will pay for anything that is deemed medically necessary and referred by my doctor. So i have my doctor's appointment next week and i am going to go over all my symptoms with him and hoping he will refer me to get the surgery. - Does anyone have experience with similar situation? - Do you have all the symptoms, but your doctor won't refer you to get the surgery? - Is it easy for doctor to refer insurance to cover and get surgery done? - In your experience, given my info below do you think i will get referred by my doctor? about me: 36 years 5-10" / 370 lbs. BMI= 53 (40+ considered morbid obese) Symptoms: Sweating with light movement (short walk, house cleaning, stairs, standing for long time) Shortness of breath (walking up stairs in home, moving furniture around, walking over 20 yards) Burning lower back pain (walking over 50 yards, house work) Heart burn Wheezing (sometimes) Hyper Tension thanks!

thanks all, for the advice...

well just an update on my situation! went to my doctors appointment today, and he want to get me with a dietician...he says my insurance wont cover the lap band? which isnt true, because i called my insurance before seeing my doc and asked them about the Lap Band...and they said they will cover whatever is deemed medically necessary!! so it looks as though my doc is the type that is against the surgery? when i told him what the insurance said, he just said again they wont cover it. my BMI is worse than i thought too--- 61.7 question: Do doctors get penalized or something by recommending the lap band? or is my doc just a health nut, against the surgery??? thanks!

<p> </p><p>------</p> <p>First off, extremely great job on your part Joel congrats!</p> <p> </p> <p>i can attest to the lazy body not wanting to do anything, thats what i hate the most no energy.</p> <p> </p> <p>Joel in reading your story you seem very dedicated and disciplined in your workouts and your food intake, so what happened?</p> <p>why not just not get the band and exercise it off?</p> <p>i know why i cant, but what prevented you from exercising like you do now?</p> <p> </p> <p>thanks</p> <div id="myEventWatcherDiv" style="display:none;"> </div>

------------------- This is exactly what im dealing with, ive tried to get as much movement as possible. but back and calfs flare up when pushing myself to go, makes me have to stop..not to mention out of breath..sweating heavy. my kids go to school bout 300 yards from house, and i cant make it there and back without multiple stops, when back im drenched! but in pain from it too. (thers also a 100 foot hill to climb bout 30% grade along the way) i need the lap band to give me that guard of feeling full and helping to drop weight, once down a lil i know i will start walking ..eventually running to drop more. plus i hear its best to exercise along the weight loss journey to prevent extra hanging skin i hear??

Ok here's my story: 36 years old, about 350 lbs plus Tax :ph34r: ..Almost 5'-11" I haven't been to a doctor in years I have been overweight for most my life i'd say since 15 years old. Despite being overweight, i was pretty active. Never had a problem participating in sports games or walking. Then i just stopped doing things and gained more weight. NOW i get winded / out of breath walking up stairs at home. The worst part is i have very active kids, in sports always, and walking across these big fields (100 - 200 yards) is hard. My lower back and legs burn when i do it. Obviously, its the weight. I know if i can drop say 25 lbs i can at least be more active and start to exercise more, problem is i have never in my life dropped more than 10 lbs. i feel i need the surgery. PLEASE ADVISE ME: - i want to get Lap-Band, but i am currently un-employed on Medi-Cal Insurance (Health Net) and not sure if they will cover it? - do i go to my doctor and tell him i want to get the Lap-Band? - do i go to a Lap-Band center FIRST? and start there.... - i want to get a complete physical, and this may seem stupid, but am terrified of being the only fat patient he has and him and staff looking at me like i'm a freak!!! - Can you recommend a good doctor in Southern California area? Sincerely,

Thanks Kbliss78, good info. Sounds like your on your way, keep up the good work!