psychiatrist doesnt like WLS!

I say...put on your fastest tennis shoes and RUN away from her as fast as you can. She is not there to convince you NOT to have the surgery..she is there to determine if you are of sound mind to make the decision to have the surgery. DO NOT let this person put you on anything...seriously.

Girl!! No she didn’t drop that psychiatrist  like a bad habit no way.  Try Dr. Gary Santavicca they work with Peachtree surgical office/   I also say you should report that psychiatrist to the Medical Board of Psychiatrist sound like she crazy  Kay.

 

 

I agree you do not need this Doctor..My brother moved to Ga from Ohio and need his medicine  antidepressants refilled and he found a looney Psychiatrist.. I was glad I was down here when he was put on Geodon..He almost had a heart attack..He threw up for weeks AFTER stopping the drug..Read the side effects .He did not need it..I got him to another Psychiatrist and he has been with him ever since. You need to know some doc's have mental illiness as well...Find another doctor right away!!!! We had a doctor come to our support group and he was telling his patients about weight loss surgery to save their lives..He stress the side effects from taking weight loss drugs. And Geodon has awful scarey side effects..Kathryn

I had to get medical clearance for my insurance company, and I also used Dr. Gary Santavicca.  He is very understanding and in not anti-WLS.  He is located in Atlanta.  My surgeon had the referral report within 2 days. Good luck to you.

So many people use Dr Santavica because he has such an extensive background with WLS patients....and I will tell you from first hand knowledge he doesn't just pass everyone through...I know more than one person that had to receive counseling before moving forward.  I adore him and think the world of him myself.

Hello to all.  I am a psychologist and a member of the newly founded mental health advisory board for OH.  I'm located in metro ATL, Decatur to be exact.  Been doing evals, facilitating support groups, writing articles, doing presentations related to bariatric surgery and the like for about ten years.  I've always had the utmost respect and regard for all of you who have had surgery, are in the pre surgery process or are family, friends or coworkers of patients.  Unfortunately, there are still some out there, including medical and mental health professionals, who have a very limited understanding at best about weight loss surgery its wonderful life altering benefits.  While there are many challenges and adjustments that patients experience, the after weight loss surgery positive changes (medical, self esteem, and many other quality of life ones) far outweigh (no pun intended) the potential risks.  There are enough of us here in Georgia now, Dr. Santavicca included, who know this and are willing to help by answering questions, sharing our knowledge and promoting the benefits of the WLS procedures.  None of us would have gained the knowledge that we now have without all of you.  Thanks for your courage in undertaking WLS.  I will do my best as a part of this OH forum to read posts as often as I can and respond if I can be of any help.  If not, I know a number of mental health professional across Georgia who work with bariatric surgery patients and their families.  I'm sure they would be glad to help.  And Lavelle365, I hope that you did get a second opinion as based upon my read of the research to date, there are no meds out there at the current time that have been considered to be successful for weight loss and long term weight loss maintenance. Steve Ritz, PhD

Thanks for replying...for so long WLS was the secret in the closet that no one talked about....you snuck out at night and came back losing weight.  While this may not be the choice for everyone out there....it is a choice and any Dr. in any field that is willing to learn about the procedures, both pros and cons to better help their patients is greatly appreciated by so many of us. Thanks!

I would definitely get a second opinion!  For my psychiatry clearance letter I went to a doctor that the bariatric surgeon recommended and of course, I received clearance for surgery.  I had surgery on September 11, 2007 and it is one of the best decisions I've ever made.  I went from a BMI of 35 with several comorbidities to a BMI of 28 right now.  I'm so happy and feel so much better about myself. GET A SECOND OPINION!   Hugs, Judy