Appointment

[reaching high 19]

Finally got my initial Dr appointment with the surgeon. April 28th. Hoping to have sleeve in May. I'm self pay so I'm hoping it will go fast. They told me I would have a three hour appointment with the psychologist. Has anyone else had an appointment that long? $1000!!! Just wondering what all we will talk about for that long?

[mooncat 106]

You might want to ask if you can locate your own psychologist. My psych eval was 1-2 hours long and I think I paid $100. My surgeon gave me a list of potential psychologists to go to and I called around to get a price and appointment that suited me. I was not self-pay for my surgery, but the psych eval was not covered by my insurance.

[Cupcake 801]

Reaching High yes this is standard you meet with the nutritionist as well as the surgeon and the anesthesiologist they will go over your medical health as well as all medications for a medical clearance, they you may have one more meeting in which you signed all hospital paperwork . Congrats on your decision on being healthy.

[Nancy E. 44]

Hi reaching high, I just had my psych eval 2 days ago. My insurance didn't pay either. I paid $229.00 and the dang interview lasted a full 4 hours! (Including paperwork) Felt like I was under a microscope starting from childbirth to present and I will be 59 next month! I don't know about others experiences with this but this guy was very detail oriented. I'm sure each one is different. I think the main object is to make sure you will follow through after surgery. They don't want you going through a major surgery and then not taking care of yourself by following the guidelines. I was glad when it was over. He told me before I left that he didn't see any reason why I could not go forward with surgery. So my advice is just be honest with your answers and everything will go well. Good luck on this amazing journey we are undertaking! I will hopefully be having my surgery in August!

[SusinMichigan 76]

My psych evaluation was about 2 1/2 hours long ... the 500 (I believe) questions took the longest part. I thought I'd fly through, I was approved very quickly for insurance payment and had to have a couple tests run. It has taken freaken forever! The surgeon wanted a heart specialist and the heart specialist wanted a ton of tests, every one of these has taken 3 weeks or more before the appointment. There has been a minimum of 2 appointments every week for the last 10 weeks. I'm facing the last week of appointments now ... one on Tuesday, one on Wednesday and two on Thursday. (One of the Thursday meetings is with the cardiologist assistant to get all the results of my tests!) Hopefully, surgery will be scheduled for May, but I won't hold my breath.

In the meantime, I'm trying to eat healthier, drinking at least 4 bottles of Water a day, cut out all the sugar already and getting ready to discontinue my coffee habit as well as meeting with a therapist every few weeks to make sure my head is on straight for all that faces us in the future! Hope I'm doing enough to get ready.

[tnpeach 41]

My psych apt was 3 hours long. One hour with psych and 2 hours answering 1 test of 568 questions and 1 test that had 189 questions. Some of the questions were funny. I have to go back for results next week. She already told me she did not see a problem. I guess I will find out late next week. I would not worry about it.

[tfarr 270]

Wow!! Why is it that long???? What kind of questions so they ask that requires such a long visit??

[getnhealthyintx 281]

I did not have to have a Psych exam. I am self pay but was not required to do that.

[Jersrose43 837]

I am starting to feel like I didn't get what I paid for with this post.

I paid $175

It took 15 minutes.

I spent more time driving to and from his office then sitting in it.

I filled out paperwork for 15 minutes, including drawing pictures of self image and trees and houses.

Spent 10 minutes with the shrink.

Done.

45 minute drive both ways

He billed my insurance for $525. They approved $375 and went to my deductible. Thank goodness I got a paid in full receipt for the $175. Because his office manager wanted the balance. As if.

[MammaMac 41]

Mine was $70 for about 45 minutes....

-MM

[tfarr 270]

I'd rather get the short version like you guys lol

[reaching high 19]

I am hoping I can bypass the psych eval or shop for someone else. That's just to pricey for me.

[beeteroo 166]

I had an eval in 2010 for bariatric surgery that I didn't end up having and that one took 3+ hours with tons of testing, hundreds of dollars. Then I just had one done and it took 20 min of talking and discussing changes that will occur for me and it cost 60 dollars.....self pay 60 dollars. The counseling office has a deal with the local bariatric surgeons to help reduce our costs! Call around and get another psych consult! If nothing else PM me and I'll send you the name of the counselor and you can fly here cheaper for your appt.

[jdillon 355]

I paid 50.00 and filled out paperwork that got sent and had about a 15 min interview on the phone.

[beeteroo 166]

I paid 50.00 and filled out paperwork that got sent and had about a 15 min interview on the phone.

Nice! Maybe you can share your provider if they do a phone interview! They can do an eval on anyone in the world!