I have my psych evaluation scheduled for June 27th. The surgeons office referred me to someone who accepted my insurance.

I decided to research the guy and he does NOT have favorable reviews at all. He rates 1 star. Appears to be very rude, laughs at patients, doesn't take them seriously, he doesn't connect, doesn't communicate. There are only 3 written reviews that span over 3 years and none of them mention anything being for bariatric surgery, just different reasons.

This doesn't sit well with me. Can I ask for a different shrink? Or should I wait and see how he does?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You can certainly ask for someone different; you have the right to make your own decisions in regards to your healthcare.

I would be wary of some of those negative reviews initially, however. As I'm sure you've seen on this website and others, people don't generally post a lot of things on the internet unless they have something to complain about. And because it's the internet and you don't know these people, who's to say they're reasonable or intelligent? Maybe the person was seeking meds they didn't need. Maybe the doctor was perceived as "rude" for ending the appointment after the allotted time when the patient wanted to talk for another 30 minutes. Maybe the doctor has a dry sense of humor that was perceived as "laughing at the patient" because they took it the wrong way.

Or, maybe the guy is awful, soulless, and jaded. You never can really know until you meet him yourself. But if he's been practicing and in business a while, I wouldn't make your whole decision based off of three poor reviews.

Are you seeking ongoing therapy? Keep that in mind when you go. I went to the referred therapist because it was required. The experience was a joke. But it got me one step closer to the surgery. Odds are you'll be approved faster if you go to who your doctor referred you to. You definitely want to go to a doc who understands bariatric surgery - so insurance approves you. Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I tend to think your surgeon wouldn't recommend him if he cost the surgeon money by giving WLS referrals a hard time.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have my psych evaluation scheduled for June 27th. The surgeons office referred me to someone who accepted my insurance.

I decided to research the guy and he does NOT have favorable reviews at all. He rates 1 star. Appears to be very rude, laughs at patients, doesn't take them seriously, he doesn't connect, doesn't communicate. There are only 3 written reviews that span over 3 years and none of them mention anything being for bariatric surgery, just different reasons.

This doesn't sit well with me. Can I ask for a different shrink? Or should I wait and see how he does?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Go to the Eval but if you don't like him and feel you need further help go to someone else. If he's bad - notify The Dr that referred you so they find an alternative referral source.