Considering lap-band
I am a female, 37, 5 9", 245 and considering the lap-band to lose weight, but am really unsure where to even start. I have read that doctors like for you to have tried different methods of losing weight first. I have tried Weigh****chers, Alli, low calorie diets, etc etc etc. My doctor will not perscribe me any perscription drugs to help with the weight loss. I actually think that if I were put on a good weight loss drug, it may help motivate me. I am wondering, have most of you who have had weight loss surgeries, tried drugs prior to doing the surgery and if so, how the heck do you get your dr to even perscribe you the drugs. What drugs worked/didn't work for you?
It seems like they (doctors) are so against perscribing weight loss drugs. While researching, I came across people using Adderall (used for ADHD) short term to help with weight loss. I am willing to try anything, but it is looking like the lap-band might be my last resort. I do not want to go from doctor to doctor trying to figure out what to do. Should I just go to a doctor specializing in bariatric/lap-band surgeries? Will they perscribe meds first to see if I can lose weight that way before actually going through with the procedure. I just don't know who to talk to about this as my gyno and internist are absolutely no help. I was about 220 before I had my baby 4 years ago, and was down to 230 last year, but it seems the more I diet, the more I gain! Now I am back up to 245 and can't even budge a pound lately. I know I need to do something before it gets really out of control, as my joints and back are really starting to hurt and it is impacting my daily life. Help:-)
It seems like they (doctors) are so against perscribing weight loss drugs. While researching, I came across people using Adderall (used for ADHD) short term to help with weight loss. I am willing to try anything, but it is looking like the lap-band might be my last resort. I do not want to go from doctor to doctor trying to figure out what to do. Should I just go to a doctor specializing in bariatric/lap-band surgeries? Will they perscribe meds first to see if I can lose weight that way before actually going through with the procedure. I just don't know who to talk to about this as my gyno and internist are absolutely no help. I was about 220 before I had my baby 4 years ago, and was down to 230 last year, but it seems the more I diet, the more I gain! Now I am back up to 245 and can't even budge a pound lately. I know I need to do something before it gets really out of control, as my joints and back are really starting to hurt and it is impacting my daily life. Help:-)
Welcome! I have no help as far as the drugs for weight loss other than to say, I would never want to try them instead of surgery. Remember phen/fen? Seems something always comes out later about some horrible side effect the drugs have after the fact. There is that OTC orlistat called Alli have you tried it? Maybe instead of drugs a bariatric dr would help you with a medically supervised diet something like Optifast or something like that as an option to surgery? Good luck to you in your quest. If you do opt for surgery, I absolutely loved my surgeon, Dr Snyder at Rose.
Gennie, I'll try to help as much as I can, I'm not a physician. I think regulations have changed so dramatically since the big fiasco with Phen-fen. I just don't think you will find a good doc that will go out on a limb like that anymore. I have found that prescription drugs have been a temporary fix for me, with weight loss and then gain again, plus more sometimes, when I'd get back to eating naturally.
As far as WLS, and the type that you have, that is actually up to you and your physician. So, please do your homework on the different types before seeing any other surgeon. And, no, I don't think any of these docs will prescribe you medications for weight loss first.
As we get older our metabolisms slow down.
Maybe if you would try attending some of the more informative support groups around and ask questions of the members there, you might get some additional information. Also, join a gym or walk, swim or anything to get moving. Get in lots of protein and water to help get you thru the times of hunger or "head hunger".
I chose a lap RNY because it was the right decision for me. I've tried almost every diet and diet pill out there. I had developed type II diabetes, breathing problems and more. I had to do something.
So, good luck on your journey whichever you decide to do.
Pat A
As far as WLS, and the type that you have, that is actually up to you and your physician. So, please do your homework on the different types before seeing any other surgeon. And, no, I don't think any of these docs will prescribe you medications for weight loss first.
As we get older our metabolisms slow down.
Maybe if you would try attending some of the more informative support groups around and ask questions of the members there, you might get some additional information. Also, join a gym or walk, swim or anything to get moving. Get in lots of protein and water to help get you thru the times of hunger or "head hunger".
I chose a lap RNY because it was the right decision for me. I've tried almost every diet and diet pill out there. I had developed type II diabetes, breathing problems and more. I had to do something.
So, good luck on your journey whichever you decide to do.
Pat A
Thanks for all the info. I guess I was worried that I would have to go through months of being on diet drugs first to see if that worked before going for WLS. Yes, the drugs all seem to have lots of side effects. I have tred Alli for a couple of weeks, but it did nothing for me as I aleady was eating a low fat diet (my issue comes from carbs). I am considering the lap-band just mainly due to the fact that my bmi is not over 40 and it seems less invasive. Plus I don't want my organs surgically altered! ha ha. I am still researching the different surgeries though and will make an appt with a doctor soon. The joint pain and just the whole inability to function on a daily basis is getting worse and I know it has to do with the excess weight. I just want to feel normal!!
I do have insurance with UnitedHealth and am wondering how hard it is to get it approved by them?
I do have insurance with UnitedHealth and am wondering how hard it is to get it approved by them?
As for the insurance question, I have UnitedHealth and was unable to use it to pay for the surgery. I ended up going the self-pay route. Now to be honest, it was not totally UHC saying it was not covered, it was my employer that specified the non-coverage. A company that uses UHC as their medical insurance provider may or may not have purchased a customised policy for their employees. They can ask that certain services to be excluded from the coverage and I am sure that it effects the contracted price the company pays.
Read your policy carefully and pay attention to the section which defines the exclusions. If WLS is excluded, you'll have a tough time getting it over-ridden. Its not impossible, but usually the larger the company, the harder it is to get an override. You have to do a lot of writting letters to the HR Benefit offices and committees pleading your case.
Good luck.
Read your policy carefully and pay attention to the section which defines the exclusions. If WLS is excluded, you'll have a tough time getting it over-ridden. Its not impossible, but usually the larger the company, the harder it is to get an override. You have to do a lot of writting letters to the HR Benefit offices and committees pleading your case.
Good luck.
With a BMI below 40 you may not get the WLS anyways. Do you have other medical conditions? With out other medical conditions its up to your doctors and you will probable have to be self pay. I know it seems kinda sad that your considered obese yet they won't give you drugs or surgery to help. Its a total catch 22 gain a few pounds and get surgery almost no questions asked or continue to struggle and possibly loose more weight on your own.
Have you found a surgeon you would like to talk to? I would start there because I now my PCP was no help at all.
Have you found a surgeon you would like to talk to? I would start there because I now my PCP was no help at all.
199 here I come!
1st of all - PCP's & other non-bariatric specialist doctors are reluctant to even consider referring you to a bariatric doctor. Sometimes it's for good reasons, but more often than not, the reasons are unfortunately not very good (A certain someone I know very closely is fighting this battle with one of her doctors & it's an uphill battle which se is losing).
The main reason I think is doctors don't want you going to see another doctor outside the hospital which they work out of unless insurance doesn't give another option (This is true in the vast majority of cases). In fact, some doctors will go out of their way & pull strings to refer potential patients to one another.
Now I have bee fortunate in this regard not to have a team which engages in this kind of medical behavior (Of course, thisis mainly to my having the flexiblity of choosng my own doctors & hospitals WITHOUT having to notify my other doctors except when my new doctor sends over proper documentation to get my case history & other information the new doctor deems pertinent, which is an option many people STILL don't have yet - COME ON WASHINGTON. WE SIMPLY CANNOT LIVE FOREVER YA KNOW - HINT.....HINT
).
Well anyways.....There's my $.02 worth FWIW. I've done enough damage to this thread. But I'll add one more thing. Don't do the drugs. If you do that, you're just changing the problem from an eating disorder to a potentially addictive drug problem. That's like trying to put out a fire - WITH GASOLINE.....
Best of luck Gennie - Whatever you decide to do.
Cheers :)
Pat
The main reason I think is doctors don't want you going to see another doctor outside the hospital which they work out of unless insurance doesn't give another option (This is true in the vast majority of cases). In fact, some doctors will go out of their way & pull strings to refer potential patients to one another.
Now I have bee fortunate in this regard not to have a team which engages in this kind of medical behavior (Of course, thisis mainly to my having the flexiblity of choosng my own doctors & hospitals WITHOUT having to notify my other doctors except when my new doctor sends over proper documentation to get my case history & other information the new doctor deems pertinent, which is an option many people STILL don't have yet - COME ON WASHINGTON. WE SIMPLY CANNOT LIVE FOREVER YA KNOW - HINT.....HINT
).Well anyways.....There's my $.02 worth FWIW. I've done enough damage to this thread. But I'll add one more thing. Don't do the drugs. If you do that, you're just changing the problem from an eating disorder to a potentially addictive drug problem. That's like trying to put out a fire - WITH GASOLINE.....
Best of luck Gennie - Whatever you decide to do.
Cheers :)
Pat
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