Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Psych Consultation Dr. in DFW



Recommended Posts

Hi everybody. I just come from the first appointment with Dr. Veninga. My insurance does not cover the Lap band so I will be paying out of pocket for the surgery. Pretty much everything is included in Dr. Veninga fee but not the Psychological consultation. The staff did recommend two different doctors but they do not accept my insurance, so I am looking. Dr. Veninga said I can pick any Psychologist I want, his only requirement is that the Dr. is knowledgeable of the Lapband. Could some people around the DFW area list some names so I can check with the insurance? I need to get the evaluation done before I can get the surgery scheduled.

Thank you

Luci

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Luci. I was banded by Dr. Veninga as well. I'm not sure what names you were given for Psychologist. I used Dr. Michele Steigleder. Barbara gave me the card and the appointment was quick and painless. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. I have been very happy with Dr. Veninga and his entire staff and I hope everything goes smoothly for you as well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Dolphin,

Barbara also gave me Dr. Stingleder's card but she is not in my insurance's list of providers. Was she in your insurance or did you pay for the consultation? If you pay, do you mind telling me how much was it? I am checking with the insurance company to find out how much they cover for out of network mental health.

I realy like Dr. Veninga too. He is so down to earth... He explains everything and he makes me feel very comfortable. I need to get the psych consult done so I can schedule the surgery soon.

Thank you for your help

Luci

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You might try calling your insurance and get them to send you a list of the Dr.'s that are covered. From there you could find out which ones work with lap band patients. Kind of the hard way though.

Also, have you call your surgeon back and asked for more names?

I used Dr. Michele Steigleder as well. She is so nice...you might even be able to call her, explain your situation and find out if she has some recommendations.

Good luck to you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I spoke with Dr. Steingleder over the phone and she was really nice. I alrady gave her a call today and left a message. The way I see it is, I am already in debt for the surgery, a bit more is not going to hurt that much. Might as well get the therapist I want... Now I just have to convince Hubby about it

Thank you

Luci

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×