Hi

I am very new and have been reading the forum and wish I already had a band. But here goes......I am pretty sure that I am going to be self pay. I have medcost prefered Ins. A coworker had bypass a few months ago and got it through his other job insurance because our insurance doesnt pay:frown:.

So just wondering is it quicker if you are self pay to approved? what kind of things do the psych doc want to know?

Anybody here had surgery through New Hope Bariatrics in Charlotte NC?

I have watched the video they have sent me and have my seminar on June 2. My coworker had bypass so itwould be more permanent. I am opposite. I know this is a tool and am excited about a new me. Plus I have health issues and my dad at my age had a stroke and few years later had his legs amputated and sad to say he died before he turned 60. I dont want to follow in his path. I want to help mysef. Sure I want to look good who doesnt but I more worried about my health.

Thanks so much in advance.

I was a self pay patient as well, so I didn't have to wait for any approvals, except a few medical tests they wanted me to have; typical bloodwork, and for me, release from a cardiologist because of the history of heart disease in my family. I had my surgery three weeks from my first consultation. That was on February 1, and I have now lost over 40 pounds! Plus, I had an extra bonus thrown in. Although my insurance did not pay for my lap band surgery, the surgeon discovered and repaired a hiatal hernia while he was in there. They filed on my insurance for that, and reimbursed me 100% what they received from insurance, which was 2/3 of what I paid for the lap band! Not wishing bad things for you, but a hernia for me turned out to be a very good thing for me. You have no idea how wonderful this thing is. I'm so full after eating so very little. I know that this is the lifetime solution I've been looking for. Even if insurance had not paid on the hernia, it's worth every penny! Absolutely no regrets.

i only have one thing to tell you; DON'T GIVE UP. If you're going to be self pay,get on with it. I'm sure you have done your research. The reason I am telling you this is, I HAD two brothers. one was only 36 years old the other 59. Both died the same year. weight related.

I had my lapband surgery done 3 weeks ago and I self-paid. I tried to use my insurance but they found a bunch of little reasons to turn me down and sent me a 2-page letter on how to resubmit. One of their reasons was that my doctor did not validate that I had been overweight for at least 5 years. (She has only been my doctor for 4 years, PLUS I have had the same insurance for 25 years so they should know how much a I weigh.) I didn't want to wait any longer so I paid for it myelf.

Anyway, your question about the psych exam... Basically they just want to know that you understand that the lap-band is just a tool, that you still need to watch what you eat. They are interested in finding out if your know what triggers you to eat - - i.e. do you graze from dinner to bedtime, do you have to eat when you watch TV, are you addicted to ice cream, or potato chips? And what are you going to do to change that behavior since none of that behavior is due to hunger? All they are assessing is do you have the mindset and tools to be successful. In my exam there were questions about whether or not my family would be supportive or try to undermine me. Mine is supportive but if you do not have the support they help you understand that you will have to get it from somewhere else because this is life changing and you can not fight your way through it with a family that tries to make you fail. It's all the basic stuff you would expect them to ask. They are just trying to make sure that you are really aware how your life will need to change once you have the procedure.

Good luck! I can honestly say that this was the best decision I ever made.

I am self pay. Have been to the office twice. The first time for the initial visit, blood work and ekg. Met the Dr. I then went back the second time for a stress test. Friday morning I am having surgery. Very quick process. The hardest part is the two week diet.

Getting king of nervous however I will be glad when it is over.

Certainly self pay or financing takes much less time than making it through all the insurance red-tape. I can honestly say that this was the best money I have ever spent in my life. If I never lost another pound, it was worth it!!

Good luck!