Hello Bandsters,

Can you please comment on the following questions regarding insurance requirements.

1) Psychological Evaluation and clearance - What is the visit like? What kind of questions? What is a MMPI?

2) Cardiac clearance - What happens at this visit? Did your PCP do a referral? How do you go about getting this documentation?

3) Documentation of a normal Thyroid function - How do you go about getting this documentation?

4) Pulmonary clearance - How do you go about getting this documenation?

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is easy, just answer a bunch of seemingly random questions and find out if you are whacked.

If you decide to do the lap band they will schedule you for any tests you need and handle the authorizations through your PCP. I haven't even talked to my PCM about this but every step along the way he signs off or submits the requests they ask for.

Hi, Oceannites,

I recently had my psych evaluation, and I didn't know what to expect. For me, the evaluation lasted approx. 60 mins. I was asked to complete the MMPI as dan2001xj mentioned. Once I completed the survey, the psych doctor interviewed me based on my responses to the questions. She asked lots of questions about my understanding of the lapband...what is it? how does it work "mechanically"? my expectations of the lapband? possible complications? support system at home? She explained that these questions would tell her if I had received enough information on the lapband procedure and whether I understood it. At the end of our session, she informed me that she considered me "ready" for the lapband. Hurray! I could have told her that :crying:...but, really - it was helpful to sit down and have that discussion with a doctor that focused on the emotional and mental adjustments that need to occur & will continue once banded. Good luck!

Hello Bandsters,

Can you please comment on the following questions regarding insurance requirements.

1) Psychological Evaluation and clearance - What is the visit like? What kind of questions? What is a MMPI?

2) Cardiac clearance - What happens at this visit? Did your PCP do a referral? How do you go about getting this documentation?

3) Documentation of a normal Thyroid function - How do you go about getting this documentation?

4) Pulmonary clearance - How do you go about getting this documenation?

1) It took an hour to do the "test", then a short talk with the Doc. Checking to make sure you understand what is in front of you with the life changes.

2) My PCP had ordered test because I have HBP and he does stay on top of it anyway, I also had a Nuclar Stres Test. So in that area I was over tested by incident.

3) Simple blood work, mine was done when I went to get my colestoral check, nurse just worte it in on my lab sheet to check for it

4) I had the chest Xray for a recent bad cold, again just good timing thing.

Don't worry about the test, the surgeon I am seeing usually had all those done at the hospital where the surgery will be done. I happen to live a little over an hour away and had them done as part of my regular work. My surgeron had the cost for the test bulit into his fee for the surgery.

Once you pick a bariatric surgeon, I think normally their office will arrange all these tests for you (at least mine did). I've only gone for two visits and I've already had most of them done (except I have one blood test and sleep apnea test left). My surgeon's office said that they've never had to refuse anyone based on the psych test and they've done thousands of surgeries (center of excellence). They do sometimes have to refer for additional counseling, but never had to refuse surgery. The written psych test is really kind of funny. One of the questions is 'Are your favorite hobbies archery and stamp collecting?'. I'm sure its in there as a guage to make sure you are actually still reading the questions (its a loooooonnnng test), but I had to laugh out loud at that one. But, the test will probably show them if you have other possible psych issues (depression, anxiety, alcoholism, eating disorder, etc.). I have generalized anxiety disorder (controlled w/medication - lexapro) and it was funny to see so many questions that I would have answered differently prior to being on meds for this. But, even if I didn't have it under control, I don't think they'd refuse surgery. I think they'd just want to make sure I got it under control before surgery.