Question:
Is it better to use the Psychologist associated with your suregeons weight loss plan.
The Pychologist that my surgeon recommends is not contracted with my insurance. I can pay the $190 out of pocket to see her or $30 out of pocket to see a contracted provider. I called the surgeons office and they said it did not matter and I just wondered if anyone else had delt with this and if you have any feedback on the issue. Thanks =^..^= — Michelle K. (posted on February 19, 2003)
February 19, 2003
Your surgeon will refer you to a supportive psych. If you pick another they
might not like WLS and try to save you from having it. Or not approve you
till after a bunch of regular counseling sessions. I would pay the out of
pocket unless time doesnt matter. I had a pulmonary doc try to save me, its
in my profile and it was a nightmare.
— bob-haller
February 19, 2003
my insurance provider didn't cover an evaluation prior to WLS specifcally.
I luckily have a friend who is a therapist and she did it for me. Doesn't
sound impartial but I hav had psyche evals for jobs before and know that I
am not clinically incapable of proceeding.
— Sarah S.
February 19, 2003
I was in exactly the same situation. I could see someone under my plan for
$25 or $200 for the surgeons psych. If you are mentally stable and aren't
worried about the eval (which you shouldn't be) I would go with the
contracted provider. You are not asking the psych's opinion if you should
have the surgery.. they are to determine if you are capable of handling
surgery and it's aftermath. There personal opinion on the surgery shouldn't
be a factor in your eval. Good luck!
— SarahC
February 19, 2003
I can only speak for myself. But, it is important for me to know my
behaviors of why i am over-eating in the first place. In my case i am an
emotional eater. My doctor wants to make sure that i figure out my triggers
and causes so i do not sabatoge my weight loss. I had liposuction and i
had already been on high fat low carb diet. I had lost 70 pounds on my
own, but i was at a point of weight that the balance could go either way
for me and i knew it. I weighed
170 at 5'9" and large boned. But that 200lb. mark was in my
mind and around the corner. I knew it. Did not solve my problems and
guess what I grew or blew up. Waisting 5000,00
on surgery. I think it is important to see someone who is
aware of what the whole thing is all about. Money is not
going to help you in the long run if your problems are still there. Missy
— Marya H.
February 19, 2003
I think it would benefit you that you go to someone who is familiar with
weight loss surgery and wls patients. Would you go to a dentist just
because they are a doctor if they know a lot about your lungs and how they
work? My personal situation: I went to a doctor because my insurance paid
for him. He suggested I read Dr. Phil's book and come back to him for a
year and find out what makes me eat a lot. It took me a three extra
months, going for a second opinion and paying over $300 for it just to get
the okay for surgery. PLEASE trust me. You want to go to who your
hospital uses. Best wishes. Marcy
— Marcy G.
February 19, 2003
This may sound crass but frankly, the psychologist that contracts with your
surgeon would be the most friendly toward WLS. Logically, if they weren't
- the surgeon probably wouldn't want to use them. We forked out the
$300.00 each...ouch! But it was worth it. We really enjoyed our time
visiting with her - it was relatively painless and she wrote a nice letter
for us. Good luck!
— jnc
February 19, 2003
I can't say it enough - you must go where you will find a friendly Psych Dr
- one that is reccommended by your surgeon. I THOUGHT I was smart and got
my own first even before my consult SO I could hurry the process - instesd
a found one who wanted me to have therapy for eating issues. It put me
behind by 2 months until I had a second opinion with one recommended by my
Surgeon. BIG difference!!!!!!!! And I was approved within 2 weeks. My
surgery is 3/26/03 and it can't come soon enough. Sally, Harrison, MI
— Sally P.
February 19, 2003
This question was just MADE for me! I had a bad experience with a
counselor last fall when I was getting ready for surgery. I, too, thought
that I would save months of waiting for the surgeon-affiliated counselor
and get my own. Number one, she knew nothing of this surgery and my
reasons for wanting it. She thought it was "drastic." I had to
only pay the co-pay mandated by my insurance ($10) but for 5 sessions
instead of only one. Over those 5 sessions I had to spill EVERYTHING about
my life, not just eating behaviors and my recent history. It was like
intensive behavioral therapy. I hated it. I didn't feel like I benefited
at all. And in the end she said that I was a grown adult and any decision
I made about my body was just that "my decision", and "she
wouldn't stand in my way". What a glowing recommendation. Just as I
was finishing up with her, I got the appointment for the surgeon-affiliated
counselor and went there too as the other counselor hadn't written her
letter yet. Wow! What a difference. I can't say enough positive things
about the WLS counselor. She was great and asked ALL the right questions.
I feel my time with the other counselor was a waste, and I am MUCH too busy
to waste my time or money. Go to the one who knows what s/he is doing!
Run! Don't walk! (Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200 LOL )I had my
surgery Feb 10th and have lost 14 pounds already! Good luck.
— RedHeadBeauty
February 20, 2003
My surgeons office does have a Mental Health specialist that they use for
the psych eval, but due to my insurance I was required to see an actual
Psychologist with a speciallity in Neo something or another.
<p> I called my insurance and found someone on their provider list.
I had to take the MMIP (a 550+ questionare) and answer other odd questions
(such as counting backwards from 100 subtracting 7 each time) my first
appointment. It had nothing to do with WLS! I even told the Shrink this! He
said "well we are not done and you need to come back." I was so
afraid he was going to deny me! After my 2nd appointment he said he didnt
see any reason why I shouldn't have the surgery.<p> If I could have
gone to the Surgeons WLS Psych person I would have! Even with paying the
extra 50 bucks!
— preop_wendyd
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