Can use some support...Bummed Out...

I was supossed to have had my evalution today but my phychiarist don't know what ???'s to ask me...uhm he told me to come back in a month and a half and he'll do the evaluation he wanted to know if there was some form he needed to fill out...I have been waiting on the lapband different problems for over a year and a half...also my PCP says he only has me down for 1 month of watching my weight...so now I might have to do a six month diet..I don't know...I was #23 on the waiting list but now I don't know...but I still want it...

Suggest you ask your insurance company for a referral for a psychiatrist who understands how to evaluate people who plan WLS. Explain the issues you are having.

Regarding a diet history, did you ever belong to Weigh****chers, or any other weigh loss program? If you have any of those records, it may work for you (diet diaries, membership cards, etc.

Good luck. Hope it all works out for you!!

That is so frustrating. Is there someone at your surgeon's office that can help you to get an appointment with a psychologist who is experienced with the form that the insurance company requires? My surgeon gives us a list of who we need to see for each referral, which makes it so much easier. The psychologist i went to was from the hospital my surgery was at and evaluates all potential WLS candidates.
From MY experience and fwhat our surgeon's office requires, is a spreadsheet-like journal documenting our dieting attempts for at least 6 months. For example:
1/1/10- started (whatever commercial diet). Weight=100 lbs (obviously an arbitrary number).
1/8/10- lost 3 pounds. Feel great
1/15/10- lost 1 pound. Having a hard time but determined to lose the weight.
1/22/10- lost 2 pounds. So excited. What a great week.
1/29/10-had a really bad week. Gained 2 pounds.
3/18/10- weight=107 lbs. Starting Atkins today.
etc....
What they wanted was documentation FROM ME on continuous attempts at dieting, losing and then ultimately failing.... and then eventually trying again (showing a steady increase in weight).
I would discuss this with your surgeon and PCP and have them help you. there really should be a person at every surgeon's office that assists people on this journey. we have soooo many hoops to jump thru just to get the approval, it would be nice if they pointed us all in the right direction. hang in there and DO NOT give up!!! 

 Wow. Sorry you are having such a time..

My surgeons office had a psychologist who comes to the office.. it was very convenient..

From what I remember...if you have a psych doctor you have been seeing, he would just need to write a note saying that you understand the surgery, risks, bennefits, and are not expecting a quick fix...
As far as the md notes, I dont know how well you know your doctor, but if you have been going to him for a while and have discussed weight loss what you would need is six consecutive months of office notes where your weight was measured and diet counseling occurred.. 

Don't lose heart, Pam.  It has taken me 4 months to finish my p..wk.  The problems I had were with my psychologist and the pulmonologist.  In my case the required that the psychologist give me the MMPI test and write a letter of approval.  My pulmonologist had to determine if I had sleep apnea or needed a breathing machine.  The lung doctor did not want to clear me initially.  I had to have a new sleep study and get a bi-pap.  


I recommend that anyone getting clearance see the doctors who work with the WL Surgeon.  Those doctors know what is expected. 

My surgeons office had a psychologist.used for wls