I had my initial consult last week and not only do I have to see their psychiatrist, I have to have letters from my personal psychiatrist and also from my therapist. And they are requiring my attendance to a monthly support group leading up to my band and afterwards too.

Has anyone had to have that many psych evals?

Blessings, Michelle

That does sound excessive. If you are self-pay for any of these appointments I would tell them one psych eval will have to be enough. Say "I've done a lot of research into other practices in the area and this seems excessive. The standard requirement is one evaluation. What specific reasons does your practice have for requiring more?" If the answer is "We just do." Say "I am paying for these appointments and I need an explanation as to why they are needed."

All the papers my primary doc had to fill out stated I'd had a long history of anorexia prior to becoming obese. The band doc really honed in on this...he said they'd had a couple patients who starved themselves after the band and that any sort of psych history needed to be explored fully before they would do the surgery.

I guess I just wasn't prepared for that. My lowest weight during my child bearing years was 96 lbs. I was sick looking at that weight and know my ideal body weight is 125-130 and I would never try to go below that...but he said they needed to be assured of that so more psych evals.

Ugh...I have Medicare and then also a secondary insurance through hubby's work...if they will pay for all this, I guess I'll just have to buck up and do it huh?

Blessings, Michelle

In your situation I can see why they are asking you to do this. Even if you are a cash pay patient it is the surgeon's responsibility to make sure that you are completely mentally ready to make the necessary changes.

I called to make my appt from a list my surgeon gave me with the preferable one circled. Good thing since the other 4 are elsewhere in the state. I was told the evaluation called for 2 appts and the cost would be $292.

I had to see one shrink - the one my doctor recommended and I had to pay $200 out of pocket even though my insurance approved the surgery.

If you had to see someone else after the first doctor's report, I might understand. But if you haven't seen ANY of the pyschiatrists yet, 3 does seem excessive.