Anyone else have to pay $150 cash to have Psychologist "go over" your medical...

Beverly H.
on 4/10/15 2:30 am
VSG on 05/20/15

The Psychologist that I was referred to said that he requires patients seeking bariatric surgery to have 3-4 visits plus he changes $150 cash to "go over" your medical records. The Nutritionist and Nurse said that he is milking the situation for more money. Very frustrating to me because I'm paying more money than necessary.

    

    

        
Gwen M.
on 4/10/15 2:36 am
VSG on 03/13/14

That sounds like a scam.  

I found my certification psychologist by calling my insurance company and getting a list of docs who offered bariatric surgery screening in my area.  You might try doing that and finding another one. 

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

mickeymantle
on 4/10/15 2:36 am - Eugene/Springfield, OR
VSG on 07/22/13

see if you can go to a different one , I used the one in the surgeons office and they billed the insurance company as a package deal

    

   175 lb  lost,412 hw 336sw,241 cw surgery July 22 2013,surgeon Dr Colin MacColl,

 

  

                                                                                                             

 

 

 

Beverly H.
on 4/10/15 2:53 am
VSG on 05/20/15

Thank you for taking the time to reply. The problem is that I have already taking the three hour test and paid for the visit. I talked with the Surgeons office and they are removing him from their referral list. Doesn't help me but at least hopefully I will be the last person that he scams.

    

    

        
iloveravens
on 4/10/15 3:43 am
RNY on 08/13/14

Scam!  FWIW, my surgeon didn't even require a psychologist exam.  

Lanie; Age: 43; Surgery Date (VSG): 8/12/14 w/complications resulting in RNY next day;

Height: 5' 6" SW: 249 Comfort Zone: 135-140 CW: 138 (10/13/17)

M1: -25 lbs M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -7 M5: -11 M6: -10 M7: -7 M8: -7 M9: -3 M10: -8 M11: -4 M12: -4

5K PR - 24:15 (4/23/16) First 10K - 53:30 (10/18/15)

Gwen M.
on 4/10/15 3:47 am
VSG on 03/13/14

It was the one thing my insurance company required.  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

Tracy D.
on 4/10/15 3:53 am - Papillion, NE
VSG on 05/24/13

It's the insurance companies that require it, not the surgeon's office.  

 Tracy  5'3"     HW: 235  SW: 218  CW: 132    M1: -22  M2: -13  M3: -12  M4: -9  M5: -8   M6: -10   M7: -4

 Goal reached in 7 months and 1 week

 Lower Body Lift w/Dr. Barnthouse 7-8-15

   

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

iloveravens
on 4/10/15 4:00 am
RNY on 08/13/14

Oh sorry!  Yep, not required by my insurance plan :)  Thanks to you both.

Lanie; Age: 43; Surgery Date (VSG): 8/12/14 w/complications resulting in RNY next day;

Height: 5' 6" SW: 249 Comfort Zone: 135-140 CW: 138 (10/13/17)

M1: -25 lbs M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -7 M5: -11 M6: -10 M7: -7 M8: -7 M9: -3 M10: -8 M11: -4 M12: -4

5K PR - 24:15 (4/23/16) First 10K - 53:30 (10/18/15)

Tracy D.
on 4/10/15 4:09 am - Papillion, NE
VSG on 05/24/13

No worries!  Surgeon's offices are more than happy to cut into most people as long as you can pay the fee.  

But insurance companies look for any little reason to deny coverage of WL surgery.  Hence, all the numerous hoops we have to jump through with 6 months of documented weight-loss counseling, a nutritionist appointment (which was $100 and 1-hour of my life I'll never get back - absolutely worthless!), a psych eval and lots of other screenings and bloodwork (which ARE necessary).  

 Tracy  5'3"     HW: 235  SW: 218  CW: 132    M1: -22  M2: -13  M3: -12  M4: -9  M5: -8   M6: -10   M7: -4

 Goal reached in 7 months and 1 week

 Lower Body Lift w/Dr. Barnthouse 7-8-15

   

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

iloveravens
on 4/10/15 4:23 am
RNY on 08/13/14

My company must have bought a good plan because I didn't have to do any of that.  I decided in June that I wanted WLS and had a date by July.  Did one day of pre-op work (blood drawn and EKG). Lucky in some ways, but I was majorly unprepared.  I thank my lucky stars for this support site.

Lanie; Age: 43; Surgery Date (VSG): 8/12/14 w/complications resulting in RNY next day;

Height: 5' 6" SW: 249 Comfort Zone: 135-140 CW: 138 (10/13/17)

M1: -25 lbs M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -7 M5: -11 M6: -10 M7: -7 M8: -7 M9: -3 M10: -8 M11: -4 M12: -4

5K PR - 24:15 (4/23/16) First 10K - 53:30 (10/18/15)

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