Question:
I have a 3-in-1 question

I didn't have to fight for my referral for a consultation, altho the hospital changed the date three times, so my doctors office got annoyed with asking my insurance for approval..anyway, now my date is August 23 to meet with the Surgeon. I know that I have to get a psych eval, and meet with a nutritionist and a dietician, but i'm wondering, do i schedule these meetings on my own, and if so do I have to pay for them out of pocket?.. Also I understand the need for a nutritionist, but why a dietician? Is that who I go to for a medically supervised diet? I know this is a lot to ask, but I wanted to get it all out of the way at once. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. :-)    — Laydie K. (posted on July 7, 2002)

July 7, 2002
isn't the dietician and the nutritionist the same. AM confused as well. All I had to do was see a dietician and she gave nutritional advice.and a diet to follow.
   — sheri B.

July 7, 2002
I scheduled my psych eval. on my own, the psychiatrist took the kind of insurance I have (BC/BS Community Blue PPO) but I had to pay 50% of the cost. Look for a psychiatrist who is familiar with weight loss surgery, there are a lot of them out there. My psych. has already done 10 evals for potential weight loss surgery candidates. What is the difference between a dietician and a nutritionist? Call the hospital to see if they can recommend someone. I saw a dietician in March and my insurance did not cover the fee, it was $50, and I was there about an hour. Good luck.
   — Michele M.