Im getting everything in order to hopefully have my surgery in Jan/Feb. We switched insurances and Im trying to get all the prerequisite stuff done so that when I go in and meet again with my surgeon that I have everything. One of the things on the list is a mental evaluation.

I figured Id just call a phychiatrist or something along those lines...tell them what I need..sit through the appointment and be good to go. This is turning out to be a hard one. When I call the offices a lot of them dont understand why I need the appointment. I tell them the whole ordeal that I just need a mental eval to make sure that Im in the right frame of mind to get the surgery..I've called 5 so far and 3 of them said they cant do it??? The other 2 said they would talk to the Dr. then call me back because they usually have a minimum number of treatments...

Am I doing something wrong?

I would call your surgeons office and ask if there is someone that they use. My doc had given me a list of requirements and under the psych and nutrition areas were a couple choices that they recommended. Since the psych had worked with the surgeon before he knew what was required. If they've never done a eval for a surgery before they probably are not sure what is needed

Don't worry too much about the Phych. eval., it's just to see if you're a real kook or want this for

weird reasons. The physchiatrist will carry on a regular conversation with you, then OK your surgery.

_{Have you already switched insurances? If so proceed as you outlined. But most clinics especially Centers of Excellence, have a mental}

_{health provider within the clinic. I would really urge you to use a C of E if there is anyway possible. The other thought I have is that the}

_{surgeon may have someone in particular that they would prefer you to see. Don't worry about it. You might have to take a MMPI but that is}

_{not difficult either.}

_{If you have not switched insurances, I would hold off until the new ins is in effect. The new one might not accept the records that you have.}

_{You can probably count on a minimum of three to six months nutritional counseling.}

_{All the best to you,}

_Melinda

Call the surgeons office as they should have a list of providers they recommend.

Hi, I just started on my quest for my lap band. I would call the doctors office to see which doctors they use.

Your surgeon should have a list of doctors they recomend or regularily work with. It's super easy! My apt only lasted 30 minutes.

Hello,

Your doctor who is doing the surgery usually has a list of mental health professionals who they usually use with their patients. Call your doctors office and see if they have any suggestions. Good luck, I will be dealing with that next month!

My office has a psychologist working within the clinic. I would gander many "bariatric clinics" do as well. Something to look into.