Researching lap band...Doc. not supportive

[maryrose 2]

Hi,

I just wanted to introduce myself. I have been more than researching the lap band. I went to an informational meeting last Tues. evening. I have been reading this site for a few weeks and find this an excellent site with great people.

I am over 100 lbs. overweight. My doctor knows this is an ongoing problem, as I have been seeing her for years. I brought this up to her this morning and was totally shocked at her negative attitude regarding this surgery. I only mentioned that I went to the meeting and wanted to look into seeing the Surgeon and she bluntly told me she did not think I was a good candidate. Obviously, she has not been keeeping up to date as far as I'm concerned with the problems we face. She mentioned she has extremely morbidly obese patients that should refers almost as a last resort, but she did not think my health was being compromised enough....in so many words. I look pretty good, I carry my weight well, and exercise 1/2 hour a day, but the weight is there and my BMI is over 40...I just don't know what to do. I don't understand why she would think a 280 lb. woman is not a good candidate for lap band. She think I need to try harder to lose weight.....I am so discouraged I cried all the home in my car. :think

Any advise?

I am reasonably healthy, high cholesterol, HBP, nothing hugely drastic.

Thanks for listening...you are all a great bunch.

[~Jules~ 0]

Personally, I would seriously consider finding another doctor.

[marjon9 6]

Personally, I would seriously consider finding another doctor.

Like, totally (as the saying goes).

[Woodys 0]

Ditto on what the other posts have said. I guess it doesn't matter to her how you are feeling about your weight, if she walked for 5 minutes in your shoes her attitude would change dramatically.

My Dr was not totally supportive in the beginning either. He felt that I was being robbed blind....so for him it was a money issue, he couldn't justify the $16,000 I'd pay when he knew that people have lost the same amount without having to spend that kind of money. I questioned him on that.....and asked him if he had any idea how much they may have spent on all the diet books, diet gadgets, diet aids like hypnosis and Patches, and diet pills, exercise equipment and gadgets, and failed gym memberships over the years that did not work?.....and I bet it would really add up because I had been there and done that.

I also reminded him that it was my money and I knew myself better than anyone else possibly could know me and I resented him putting a dollar value on my health and mental well being......and I knew I would continue the weight loss windmill of losing and gaining because I can lose but I can't keep it off.

Since then he has witnessed my progress, a change is my self-esteem, confidence, breathing, sleeping, endurance, stamina, happiness, and overall health...and has changed his tune.

Carol

[flabuless 18]

maryrose...

Change doctors...

becky

[maryrose 2]

Thanks so much for your support...I was starting to think I was losing my mind.

Woody, you know you made a good point about the doctor watching your health improve. This sounds crazy, but my doctor and I actually get along very well and she has in fact has offered me a job in her office in the past. I could not help but wonder if subconsciously she does not want me to get better......crazy....but seriously, if my BP improved and cholesterol, and the other problems my weight is contributing to my overall heath, I would need less and less appointments in the future. Just a thought that ran through my head.

Flabulous..I just love your name....lol.

Well, I am going to call the clinic anyway. I have all the information from the meeting and paperwork to fill out, and we'll go from there. If she will not refer me, problem is, I have to make sure the next doctor will.

280 lbs. and holding tough!!

[kwhenrykerr 0]

she did not think my health was being compromised enough....in so many words

What about your mental health? Lets just wait untill......

Wow that would make me mad. Dr. Ortiz is banding people who just can not loose that last 20 pounds. They are not unhealthy but the are making a decision to be in control.

How about BOTOX injections, you can get them in the mall while shopping. But the doctors are going to tell you to WAIT, boy that pisses me off!

[juliegeraci 7]

Mary, I am going to be blunt here. I would tell her to go fly a kite. It is your health and when it comes down to it you are mobidly obese. She can rant and rave to you all she wants about you being healthy enough to lose it on your own but obesity is a disease. I have never lost 30 lbs with such ease in my life. I would go back for more information and politely switch doctors or just tell her you had it done. She should support your decision. Good luck.

[maryrose 2]

Thanks kwhen and Julie....I agree.

I just wanted to get some feedback and also to see if anyone else has had to deal with this type of frustration. You know, I don't think a male doctor would take this approach....correct me if you think that statement is out of line...My gyn doc (male) has suggested the lap band procedure to me with plenty of support. He knows the struggle I have been going through.

She just totally floored me with her response...she said she had a male patient that was in such bad shape he was carrying his own urine bag and that is the type of person she feels needs the surgery. Honestly, I think I caught her by surprise and she really does not know very much about the band, but I'm sure she will be hearing more and more about it.

Her suggestion -- nothing----see me in 3 months.

With my HMO I need a referral from the PCP.

[Terrilen 0]

There are too many wonderfuly supportive Dr.'s to be found! Go find you one!

[girlinnyc 0]

DEFINITELY see another dr. Where do you live? maybe people on this board have recommendations for some FABULOUS and supportive dr's who KNOW MORE about the lapband than your current dr.

NO dr. should outright say "no" to any procedure that they don't have enough information on--and then just tell you "see me in 3 mos"--with NO OTHER HELP offered--not even a "diet drug" (glucophage? metformin? meridia? who knows what...) or "treatment" or even "see a dr. more experienced in weight control--here's a reference". that is just...medical abuse--not treatment. at your weight--do you have co-morbidities -- are you on medications for blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea--anything like that?

come on--you may have gotten along well with this dr. for awhile--but now--you need another view, and some support for what is, i think, a perfectly good and reasonable choice.

i have not had surgery yet--it is scheduled for 1/8. that's soon! 12/26, i will be on pre-op liquid diet. not particularly looking forward to that--but remembering "well--i did it before--for my wedding (long time ago)---i can do it again because it's required."

i am in nyc--my dr. is george fielding at NYU medical center. i have several other dr's, some of whom know about this surgery and approve it--others who don't--but are pleased that I have consulted experts in the field and know that I have considered this choice carefully and deliberately--that I know what the pros and cons are--and that i'm willing to take this step towards better health.

it's been a long, search for me--I considered gastric bypass--and then, after the surgical consultation, AND after pre-op tests, i said "no, not for me"--The lap band sounds more livable to me=--fewer side effects and less surgical risk.

best wishes on finding your new medical advisor(s)!

girlin

nyc

[kwhenrykerr 0]

Pardon my first reply, it was a quick reaction.

Lots of the others on this board speak with much more understanding but

thats the problem with peer groups, they understand. Been their got the tee shirt and would do it over.

How about asking your doctor to explain? Maybe it was a misunderstanding. If nothing else it may promp the dr to rethink.

[slikchik10 85]

Seriously, drop the Dr. like a hot rock. My dr. wasn't the hesitant one...he told it to me plainly, bluntly, but...in his own kind & gentle way. Your dr. should be someone you can trust with things that are tough to face. In my drs' words to me..."I wouldn't say it if I didn't think you could hear it and face it" I refuse to go to a dr. that I don't feel fully comfortable with. In fact...the dr. I have, he was my 2nd at this particular office due to my dislike of the prior dr. I had at the same medical group. Find a dr. that YOU are comfortable with in all aspects. Best of Luck!!

[maryrose 2]

You guys are awesome! :faint:

kwen....yes, I totally agree. After speaking to my daughter, she is an RN and goes to her also, we came to the conclusion that she is just overly cautious and does not know enough about this and the actual banding. She did ask me "and what is this supposed to do for you"....I don't think she really knows how great this particular group really is and the excellent post-op support groups. She thinks I need to get to the "root" of my problem, exercise more, the usual you know what. Well, we all know how difficult it is losing just 1 lb. and keeping it off...she does not get it obviously.

girlinny...I live close to Boston actually. We have a lot of great doctors. I'm just a little thrown off right now. Thanks for your good advise. You guys are great. BTW..I'm 52 and have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, had huge babies (which is a precurser to diabetes), so yes, losing weight is definitely something I need to do for health reasons.

[MyKdsDad 1]

MaryRose, as long as she keeps you coming back, it's just more money in her bank account. I would at least get a doctor that is younger and a little more up to date with weight loss solutions.