My insurance does not require a psyc evaluation,but the Doctor does. So I have to go and get my own. I was wondering how long they take hours, days exct... does any one ever get turned down? Any one have a Dr. they saw in the Austin,tx area they can recommend? Thanks for any input.

I think it can vary. My psych visit lasted one hour and cost $250. Even though my insurance doesn't cover weight loss surgery, it did cover the psych visit. The psychiatrist was an older woman who has been banded for 7 years so she knows what the experience is like, what the ups and downs are. We really hit it off and had a great chat so maybe I was fortunate in that regard.

In Washington state it's a legal requirement that you have a psych eval prior to weight loss surgery, so it's not even up to the insurance company or the doctor.

I think certainly people can get turned down, but the vast majority of us do fine. Even those who get turned down, usually aren't just turned down flat forever.... sometimes the psychiatrist (or psychologist) wants to see you a few more times, for example, to help ensure that you're ready for the commitment. They want to know that you know what you're getting into, that you have a realistic expectation of what the lap band can, and can't do for you, and that you don't have an eating disorder like bulimia, among other things.

Don't be worried about it.... just be yourself and be honest, and you'll do fine.

I too went to a women and I had to pay $250.00 but some of it was covered by my insurance. It was the typical psych 45 minute session and basically I think she wanted to make sure I wasn't a cosmetic surgery addict or that I was of sound mind and I could handle the changes the surgery would bring to my life. It was actually a nice session, she offered up some nice suggestions for those days ahead when things would be tough.

My cousin did "fail" her 1st session because the doctor didn't think she was prepared to make the necessary changes in her life but she challenged the decision and was able to have the surgery.

how lucky - you spoke to someone who truely understood where you were coming from. I can only wish I could be so lucky.