What pre-op tests were required by your insurance to have the Lap Band surgery? Do some insurances require an Upper GI Endoscopy be done? I would love to hear from you!

What pre-op tests were required by your insurance to have the Lap Band surgery? Do some insurances require an Upper GI Endoscopy be done? I would love to hear from you!

For me blood work, an EKG, a chest X-ray, a psych evaluation, and meeting with a nutritionist was all that was required by my insurance (Aetna).

I did not have to get an EGD. Some insurances do require it and some require a stress test, mine didn't. These tests may also have to do with your overall health level, size, or age, for example if you have upper GI problems or heart conditions your Doc may order them just to be safe.

I have Cigna and they did not require any testing before submitting for approval other than my 6 months of nutrition classes and a psych eval. My surgeon however is requiring me to have blood work, a set of chest x-rays and an EKG prior to surgery. I was not required to do the endoscopy but it seems like everyone has a little something different though even within the surgeon's office I go through.

Thanks for your replies! What did your psych evaulations entail? Was it just talking with someone or was it a bunch of questions you had to answer on paper and/or computer?

Thanks for your replies! What did your psych evaulations entail? Was it just talking with someone or was it a bunch of questions you had to answer on paper and/or computer?

Mine was super easy; just a one on one conversation with a psychologist. She was very familiar with WLS and just asked me questions like what was the procedure I was having done, how long had I thought about it, do my friends or family know (making sure I had a support system in place), do I have a family history of obesity, what else have I tried to lose weight, do I know the risks of the surgery and then some questions about depression. I've heard/read though other people had to fill out crazy forms with hundreds of questions. I guess it depends who you go to. My psychologist was recommended to me by someone else who uses my surgeon. I'm sure the surgeons office will give you a list of providers to go to though too. Good luck with your process!!

Mine was super easy; just a one on one conversation with a psychologist. She was very familiar with WLS and just asked me questions like what was the procedure I was having done, how long had I thought about it, do my friends or family know (making sure I had a support system in place), do I have a family history of obesity, what else have I tried to lose weight, do I know the risks of the surgery and then some questions about depression. I've heard/read though other people had to fill out crazy forms with hundreds of questions. I guess it depends who you go to. My psychologist was recommended to me by someone else who uses my surgeon. I'm sure the surgeons office will give you a list of providers to go to though too. Good luck with your process!!

Same for me, but I did have to answer about 100 questions on a scan-tron about myself.