So I am really new to the site... Kinda lurking in the shadows, but I really have to say how impressed I am with the knowledge and helpfulness of everyone.

I am in the pre consultation/approval stage and one of my requirements from my surgeon is to have a psych evaluation. I am curious how you guys found someone who will see you for a bariatric psych evaluation. I am sure I called 15 offices today with no luck. Most are self pay and One lady went through her list of questions only to ask me why I was calling if I didn't have mental health concerns. I explained to her what I was needing and she said that she would need to call me back?!? Which I never received.

How did this go with you guys? I have BCBS of Texas and I would love to find a doc that takes my insurance instead of having to pay 200+ for a one hour trip. You would think being in San Antonio that there would be loads to choose from.

Also, I would love to hear from anyone in my area.. Potential sleeve buddy in the upcoming months. Thanks!

So I am really new to the site... Kinda lurking in the shadows, but I really have to say how impressed I am with the knowledge and helpfulness of everyone.

I am in the pre consultation/approval stage and one of my requirements from my surgeon is to have a psych evaluation. I am curious how you guys found someone who will see you for a bariatric psych evaluation. I am sure I called 15 offices today with no luck. Most are self pay and One lady went through her list of questions only to ask me why I was calling if I didn't have mental health concerns. I explained to her what I was needing and she said that she would need to call me back?!? Which I never received.

How did this go with you guys? I have BCBS of Texas and I would love to find a doc that takes my insurance instead of having to pay 200+ for a one hour trip. You would think being in San Antonio that there would be loads to choose from.

Also, I would love to hear from anyone in my area.. Potential sleeve buddy in the upcoming months. Thanks!

you could try Chupik Counseling in Austin. I live in Killeen and I used their office here.

@@Astrosgirl My surgeons office did all that.

Mine was in-house through the surgeon's office. Have you checked with your insurance company for a referral to someone in network? Does your surgeon's office have someone they recommend?

Austin is a little far for me but thank you for the referral. I am going to call my insurance tomorrow to see what is in network with my insurance. The one that the office referred me too was self pay and didn't take any insurance so I really wanted to see if I could find a psychologist who takes it first before shelling out 200+. I will need as much moula for the hospital OOP as I can scrimp and save.. Lol.

Thanks guys for the info:)

Yess call insurance to find out because my surgeon refered me to one it was all covered but his partner refers his patients to Nutritionist who are self pay while they have one in the hospital they do surgery who is covered they kind of dont help you with all sometime you have to do some work and that good you found these forums you find all the answers here and great support:)

Absolutely! You guys have been so helpful, and I am so glad that I found this site! This whole process is going to be stressful enough so it is great to have others who are going, and have gone, through it also.

Agreed. My surgeon actually set up the psychological evaluation and my nurse practitioner appointments. Good luck! I will be sleeved sometime in December but would love to be your buddy!

My surgeon actually offered to set up the consult but I already see a psychiatrist (yes, I am missing a full deck. Lololol) and he was the one who mentioned weight loss surgery as part of my treatment for my clinical depression and disorders. But it took him a while to recommend it. I had mentioned to him that I spoke to my primary care dr about my interest in WLS and he poopoo'd me!!! Said not a good way to go. When I told my pysch about it, he said he'd wish he'd had been there because he would've vetoed that dr. So I lucked out in that he (my psych) has enough info about me to readily write a recommendation as soon as the heart, sleep, endoscopy and blood tests were done and I had attended all of the required meetings. It made things much smoother.

Also, if you can, I say continue to see the counseled who evaluated you....it's an immense help when it comes to handling the issues you may have with food or your changing body. I see mine once every two months for meds reups and psychotherapy/talk therapy. Has opened my eyes to a whole new world. The sleeve his but my compulsion to over eat is so a thing of the past thanks to talk therapy and meds for depression.

Best of luck! Salud! You are taking a great first step in taking care of yourself! So important. ????????????

https://www.bariatricpsychevaluations.com

They were great!

Oh and it's $100 they also have a nutritionist

Ask your surgeon for a list of Psychiatrist that they recommend. My insurance wouldn't cover it so I paid $150 outta pocket but she's specialized in bariatric patients.

If you can't find one that does bariatric evals, ask your surgeon if they have a form for the doc to fill out.

http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/347685-On-Line-By-Phone-Bariatric-Psych-Eval/page__view__findpost__p__3912402

https://www.bariatricpsychevaluations.com

They were great!

Ugh! I wish I knew they existed before today, like yesterday lol I just had my evaluation where I shelled out close to $300 and they would not approve me at the moment. Nothing wrong with my mental health I was told but he wants to see me on a nutrition plan and excersie plan (which I really think that's the nutritionists expertise) for 4 weeks before he will consider approval.

Grrr!!

That sucks!!

I needed up getting the referral from my surgeons office. My appointment is tomorrow morning. As far as I know I will be out of pocket my 20 copay, I wonder why this doc you saw needs such a long time to approve??

Ended*