Question:
psychiatrists or psychologists for Psych eval?

Ok so i just got the number to a psychiatrists and psychologists from my Ins company. which one am i supossed to see for my Psych eval? Are they both the same? sorry for the lame question    — phranny19 (posted on May 4, 2006)

May 4, 2006
Your surgeon will probably have his own protocol. Our experience has been that most people need some guidance on behavioral modification issues more than psychiatric intervention for pharmocological treatment. As a result, a psychologist in many instances can provide great insight as you consider having surgery and can also be someone who knows you to assist you after surgery (should you need it).
   — SteveColarossi

May 4, 2006
Thanks steve. That's exactly what i needed. I was a little confused about which i should call. So i will make the appt with the psychologists.
   — phranny19

May 4, 2006
With my ins I had to use a psychiatrist because they are actual MD's and pschologists arent, and my ins only pays for medical Drs.Good luck.
   — sxybrowneyes27

May 4, 2006
You may want to check with your insurance again. Mine required that I see both - first the psychiatrist because he's an MD and then he was required to refer me to a psychologist for the behavior/emotional counseling. Good luck.
   — dinky

May 5, 2006
hello Francisca, firstly congratulations on deciding to do somehing about your weight and health. Not an easy decision I am sure. A Psychiatrist is an MD with specialist training in this feild and he is able to dispense medicine and a treatment routine for disorders in this area. A psychologist is a univerity trained graduate in the feild but he can only do testing and asist with counselling in this feild. WLS has a number of areas that have distinct emotional stresses and may need counselling. I found my time with both of these medical professionals imformative and helpful I hope you will too because they are there for you when you experience a problem relating to behavioural problems ( eating etc) I sure is good to have someone like this o be able to go to when things get hard to manage.(emotionall) Initially I thought it would be a piece of cake and that the op would do it all for me. I found out that there were a wide range of problems that beset one that not even your surgeon can help you with. I hope you have some good positive support you will need it. At the end though it is all worth it and I would do it in heart beat if I were asked if I would do it again.
   — Lise K.

May 5, 2006
Thanks everyone! Actually when i talked to the Ins lady she asked which one i wanted to see. She gave me a choice and the numbers to both. Right now i'm waiting for a cal back from the psychologist. so we'll see
   — phranny19