Methadone Clinic and Lap Band

[Mommyfrid 12]

Does anybody take methadone and has been approved for the lap band surgery or has already had the surgery?

My surgeon has known that I was on methadone since my first visit. My insurance has already approved me and now I'm jumping thru all the hoops that they require. Testing, etc. I went today for my psychological evaluation and when I revealed I was on methadone because after years of drs writing me pain medication I got addicted. First of all she immediately started treating me differently, but besides that she told me that is a opiate dependency is a psychological disorder and she had to disclose that on my evaluation that would be submitted to the insurance company. She told me the insurance company may not give me the final approval until I'm weaned off it. I immediately called the surgeons office when I left her office and they said she had no right to tell me that because it's not her call, it's the surgeons decision. I'm wondering what the insurance company is specifically looking for in this psychological evaluation. Nobody has a perfect life. I am currently also taking Wellbutrin for situational depression after I lost my job. So I'm worried now. I've spent all this Money to have tests done and see the surgeon and I still have my upper GI to do and an ultrasound on my abdominal area and id hate to spend money out of pocket if the insurance won't give the final approval to schedule the surgery simply bc I made the decision to put myself in treatment so I could improve my quality of life and get off of pain meds. It's not like I have a drug problem that I'm not addressing

Anyway, has anyone encountered a situation like mine or had the surgery while in a methadone clinic? Also, my questions regarding the psych eval too.

Sorry for typing so much I just left her office so upset after working so hard to get this stuff done so I can get my surgery scheduled.

Thanks - Kris

[Luvin_Life125 558]

I take 3 doses of methadone daily for pain control along with a few other prescribed narcotics. I know the purpose is a little different but same medication. It never created any problems for me anywhere along the surgical process. Don't borrow trouble and as long as the surgeon is aware and ok with the medications you take, then there shouldn't be a problem.

[Dakota Girl 38]

Kris-

When I went in for my Psych. eval, I told her that I was a former alcoholic/addict and that I went to treatment a little over a year ago, she didn't seem to think too much of it, of course, I always start with alcoholic because for some reason that is more socially acceptable than drug addict, because that makes sense, right? I was pretty nervous about it, but they are mainly looking for red flags that indicate a person who is unwilling or unable to make long term changes to their lifestyle. Personality disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, etc. I, also take Wellbutrin and Effexor for depression and anxiety......

The fact that the clinician immediately began to treat you differently should not surprise you, people who have not experienced addiction generally have a hard time wrapping their head around it. Fear not my friend, your strength and courage to confront your opiate addiction has brought you to where you are in this moment. Don't allow your mind to create fear in the things that are beyond your control. Just continue to do the next right thing and trust that whatever happens is going to be okay, because you are okay

- Nicole

[Mommyfrid 12]

Nicole...so you were in treatment when you had the surgery? I have Aetna insurance. I'm wondering if you have Aetna. From what I read today after doing some research that the psych eval is between you and your dr. That does not get sent to your insurance. Your surgeons recommendations based on the evaluation is what gets submitted.

[Dakota Girl 38]

Kris- yes, I have Aetna. I went to treatment September of 2013, and I just had surgery last week. My understanding is that the eval was for my surgeon but I think that Aetna had access to it in the "pre-auth packet" that my surgeon's office sent in on my behalf. My packet was submitted on Oct 9th and I got approval on Oct 23th. I called Aetna to make sure they had my information, then called them again a week later, and called them again a week later.

Edited November 19, 2014 by Dakota Girl

[Mommyfrid 12]

Wow...you really helped ease my mind. I've cried about it all day because I was so disappointed. I went to the surgeon for a consult and the next month I went back and he said Aetna said 3 visits with him. I haven't lost any weight since then. He didn't even tell me I was supposed to be losing weight until last week at my visit. Lol. Dec 11 I see him for my 3rd visit and will have had my scope, ultrasound, psych eval, core testing and my visit with nutritionist Is the day before. So I will have done everything they asked me to do. That psychologist really was a b**ch. she treated me so bad bc of the methadone. Thanks for the tips. Any other info.