I Went For My Psychiatric Evaluation

Yesterday, I went to my psychiatric evaluation and took my husband with me. My husband was under the impression that I was having the lap band surgery, and he just about hit the roof when he found out that I'm having the gastric bypass instead. Needless to say, I was embarrassed at his reaction. He kept asking me why wasn't I having the lap band surgery instead, and as much as I tried explaining to him why, he wasn't really listening to me. I kept telling him that that wasn't the place to discuss it and that we would talk when we got home. He was not a happy camper. The conversation with the psychiatrist was interesting. He asked me why I wanted to have the surgery done, and also asked me to explain the procedure to him. I guess he wanted to know if I've done my research. I thought I was going to be nervous, but I wasn't. I'm glad I saw him, but I'm not too sure about my husband. The psychiatrist told me that my husband was just worried about me and suggested I take him to my next appointment when I see the doctor again. He can go the next support meeting I have to go to, but I don't think it's going to do any good, because my husband doesn't speak English and he would be bored out of his mind. He doesn't understand why I would cut my stomach and part of my intestine, when I can it can be "tied". Hmph! He wasn't complaining when I had my tubes cut after our third child was born!!!!!!!! Nereida When I got to the office, I had to pay a copayment of $29, which is so weird. Usually the copayment is $25 for a specialist. I told the lady that during my initial consult I had given my husband's insurance card, but that I had my own insurance card. I told her that when I called my insurance, which is BC/BS, I was told that the request for approval might be denied by my husband's insurance, but the lady at the doctor's office told me that wasn't true. She made a copy of my insurance card, which made me breathe a little bit easier. She told me that nothing's submitted to the insurance company until the doctor has all the test results. She explained to me that once they have all the results, they set up the date for surgery, and submit the paperwork for approval. I go for all of my tests on Monday. I see the pulmonologist on Tuesday, and the nutritionist on Thursday.

Hi Nereida, I also have BC/BS and am still looking for a psych doc in network.   Do you mind telling me who you went to?  I would like to call them and see if I can get an appt., I called JFK and after a week they still haven't called me back.  Also how do you like Dr. Op and where is he located? thanks, Jackie

Hi.. I too have BC/BS and called JFK also. They took forever to call me back and make an appointment for me. They call the insurance company first to see what coverage you have, thats why the wait is so long.. I have my appointment tomorrow at 8am... It is my final appointment. Then, hopefully, I can get approved... Just an FYI..

Lisa, did you have all of your tests done? You say you have your final appointment tomorrow at 8 a.m. I wish you the best, and please tell us what happens. I was told that once you're scheduled for that last appointment, a surgery date is set, paperwork is submitted to the insurance company for approval and boot camp begins. Nereida

Yes, all of my other tests were done and now this is done too. So now I have to wait for her evaluation to be sent to Muhlenberg. I have to set an appointment with the Bariatric Center to discuss the next steps but I am hopeful it will be within a month or so.. By the way, The Behavioral Health at JFK was a very good experience. The woman I spoke with was wonderful. So if you need a pysch doctor check them out...

Hi Lisa, Good luck with your psych eval tomorrow, let me know how you make out.  How long did it actually take JFK to call you back to schedule and then to have the actual appt?  I am hoping to get in soon, to that I can have my surgery asap.   Jac

To tell you the truth, I don't know the name of the doctor. The appointment was done for me when I made the appointment for my initial consultation. I was told that the appointment had to be done after my initial consultation with the surgeon just in case I didn't qualify for the surgery. The psychiatric evaluation was done at the surgeon's office. By what I've seen so far, Dr. O's office really rocks. He works with a great team. The psychiatrist and nutritionist both work in his office which means you don't have to be running around trying to find a psychiatrist or nutritionist on your own. After my initial consultation I was able to schedule an appointment with the nutritionist right there in the office.  His office is located at the Life Center Professional Building in Egg Harbor Township. His phone number is: (609) 407-2332. You can call and ask any questions you may have. I think it's convenient the way Dr. O gives you a packet with all the scripts you need for the tests. You also have the option of calling AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center and scheduling an appointment to have ALL of the tests done on the same day; that way, you don't have to be running from one doctor to another or to a lab to have everything done. The only thing I need to do which is really outside of his office is the visit to the pulmonologist, but even with that, Dr. O's office was able to refer me to one. The Life Center also has a state of the art fitness center and all bariatric patients get a discount which I think is good. I believe the membership is $49 for standard membership, and $35 for hybrid membership (I don't know what a hybrid membership is, but it sounds good to me). Even if you don't have a surgery date yet, you still qualify for the discount because you are still considered a bariatric patient if seen by the doctor. I hope this helps. Nereida

My psych was done in my Dr's office, same day I met with the nutritionist and then surgeon.

That was April 28, surgery 6/19/07.

 

bernadette

Dr. Borao's office runs the program the same way. You schedule a consultation with him, the psychologist and nutritionist work out of his office, as well as out of their own offices (so if you can't make it on the day they are at his office it is ok). His staff is always right on top of the insurance too, his office manager Laura fought BCBS for me b/c they denied the wrong surgery, then approved the wrong surgery, and she took care of EVERYTHING without making me stress or work at all. I have BCBS and his practice is out of network, but I got back just about everything that I paid out of pocket. I think the consult was about $250, and I got back $225. Dr. Borao works out of Monmouth Medical Canter and has such a great staff. They are always right there to answer any questions and handle any concerns. They give you more information then you could ever imagine getting. They will also give you a packet of the tests you need, the information about the program, and even a list of reecomended doctors for your tests.  Dr. Borao is a laproscopic surgeon who does WLS, so he is able to handle just about anything. I know a couple of people who had hernias that he corrected while doing the WLS. He and his team are REALLY gold medal winners in my book. I LOVE my surgery team.