Question for Self pay

[gemgirl 19]

When you self pay do you have to go through the psych evaluation, seminar and nutritionist visit? Or are all these things mandatory due to insurance company policies?

I will be meeting with my surgeon for my initial consultation on Tuesday and I am hoping to be able to accomplish all the things I need to do so I can get sleeved in December. Would you all think its realistic to do everything within 2 months?

Thanks and I look forward to reading your responses!

[Nurse_B 270]

I think it all depends on the surgery center you use. For me, I am self pay in Milwaukee WI and my surgeon requires everyone to go through a pre-op program. I had to attend an educational seminar, a support group meeting, one appointment each with a nutritionist, psychiatrist for a psych eval, and a physical therapist to discuss exercise after surgery. I also had to have an EKG, pulmonary function testing, and a chest x-ray and labs. I am all done with that, it took me about a month to get everything in. Now I am waiting for a date. I have heard other self-pay people have a consult visit and be able to schedule, I have heard of others going through about what I did as well. I think it's realistic to do everything in two months. I had my consult in July, finished all my pre-op stuff in August, and am now just waiting to schedule. It would go faster for me, but the psych only works one day at the location I went, I had to wait a month to get in to see him. Good luck you!

[McButterpants 2,846]

I'm self pay, too.

My surgeon requires my local physician to order labs (EKG and blood work) and a risk form to be signed. I then had to fill out a fairly long psych questionnaire along with about 10 other forms. He also required me to watch some pre-op and post-op psych videos (I'm really glad he did - they helped). That's about it.

I did start my process going down the insurance route and met with a local nutritionist - I was glad I did. It was nice for someone to walk thru what post-op diet will be like.

Two months is probably cutting is close, but is probably possible. I'm looking at about 3 months, but probably could have cut that to 2.5 months fairly easily.

My suggestion would be to stay on top of things - I spoke to someone last week that had their surgery where I did and she said to keep calling and e-mailing if you aren't getting a response. This proved to be true this past week - after 2 e-mails and 2 voicemails, I received a call back. I know the patient coordinator is very busy and I wasn't mad, I just know now that I need to make sure my stuff is taken care of and if that takes a call everyday, I'm willing to do that.

Best of luck to you!

[gemgirl 19]

Thank you so much for your replies. I'm just feeling quite anxious and excited to get started!

[AtlantaRed 651]

I'm self pay and I had to have blood work (which i already had from PCP), upper GI, EKG, psych eval, nutrition appt, a nutrition class and attend 1 support group.

[woo woo 872]

I called on a place in Dallas and they said they could get me in for surgery in as soon as 2-3 weeks.

It also doesn't hurt to ask if things are actually required or just offered if you want it. For example I called another doctor in the town where I live and they were talking about getting me in to the next seminar and when I asked if that was required before seeing the Doc the answer was actually no and I was able to get in to see him for a consultation the next day.

Good luck!

[AtlantaRed 651]

I definitley could have had the surgery a month after my first appt. I'm waiting for my insurance to kick in from new job in order to get the upper GI. I paid out of pocket for the psych eval.

[Michellemo 161]

I had to see the nutritionist and psych dr once. Blood work and seminar. Took me 6 weeks from start to surgery day!

[lilijo 187]

I was self pay in Dallas. Had initial seminar and consult with surgeon, endoscopy, stress test, pre-op class, and quite a few follow spots with nut and some with doc.