Ok so dumb question, but....

 I know there is no dumb questions, but seriously, this is....

I am just in the very first stages of going through with VSG.  I already know my insurance will deny it at first, but the great people at coastal center for obesity are willing to help me fight it.

Anyways, they gave me a sheet with lots of pre-tests to do (blood work, ekg, psych eval) yadda yadda yadda...  My question is where do I go to get them done?  My PCP is not a fan of WLS, so I'm not sure he will order the test.

I am on BCBS PPO, so I think I can go anywhere, but being on an HMO my whole life I'm not sure exactly what to do.  Can I go to a lab and hand them the sheet and go from there?  If anyone was in a similar situation in southern cal (orange, SB or Riv County) I'd be interested in where you went and what your out of pocket costs were.

I'm actually a little surprised, I guess all of this would be done right at the center that does the surgery like what I've heard is the norm in Mexico centers.

I went through Dr. Owens at the Coastal Center.  The gal in the office told me where to go to get the phyc evauluation and that cost I believe $150.00.  I had all my blood done by my cardiologist so that was easy.  If your doctor is against this surgery, (mine was also) I would find a doctor that is not and have the blood tests done through them.  Ask the clinic they may be able to help you also.  Wishing you the best of luck.

Rhonda

You can ask Owen's office if they can order them for you and you can also get them ordered through the hospital where they do the surgery. Ask them who does the psych evals for them and get the number. You will have out of pocket costs for that.
Liz

Hi there . . . all my tests were set up through my surgeon's office . . . can they offer names of places to go?  My phych test was done in their office too (but cost me out of pocket $75).  I would ask them for suggestions and if they can order the tests.

Chris