Pre-Surgical Bariatric Evaluations
Pre-surigical bariatric evaluations completed by a mental health professional are almost always required as part of the pre-bariatric surgery process.
Feelings of resistance and nervousness are completely normal. Especially since many providers explain the pre-surgical process as very “pass” or “fail”, which doesn’t lead anyone to feel confident.
Believe it or not meeting with a mental health professional prior to your surgery is also a crucial aspect of the surgical procedure process and can ensure you get the required care before the situation gets out of hand post-surgery. It is also a great way to learn more about yourself and how you can meet your goals.
My purpose during the psych evaluation is not focused only on qualifying or disqualifying patients for surgery. Instead, I see it as an opportunity to ensure you can have surgery and recover in healthy and successful way.
Since bariatric surgery can only address symptoms of an underlying psychological condition it’s important to learn more about the root cause of the problem and have knowledge of other skills you can use to ensure you are successful post surgery.
What Can I Expect?
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Your motivation for the surgery
Your psychological preparedness for the surgery and healing journey
Medical and mental health history
Eating behaviors & past weight loss attempts
Behavioral challenges before surgery
Emotional factors
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Those who have bariatric surgery are at increased risk for depression, mood swings/dysregulation, eating disorders or problematic eating behaviors, body dysmorphia, self-harm, increased alcohol use, and worsening of personality disorder symptoms, especially following surgery.
Since many individuals seeking bariatric surgery already suffer from depression, anxiety, binge eating, and other problems, these are typically NOT reasons to delay or deny surgery; however, can be if symptoms and difficulties are not well managed, or a patient is unwilling to go to therapy.
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Enables you to identify and understand both your helpful and unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a more effective way
Learn how to replace unhelpful thoughts through reasoning and logic.
Learn how to manage, navigate, or cope with triggers
Learn techniques to help regulate your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
Identify and learn strategies to form positive habits and embrace adaptive behavior
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Current tobacco use, alcohol or substance misuse*
Unmanaged depression
Excessive uncontrolled anxiety
Current psychosis
Current eating disorder behavior
Hospitalization for mental health within past 6 months
Current suicidal ideation, plan, and intent
Highly dysfunctional marriage/family life
Limited motivation, indecision, etc.
Limited social support
Inability to adhere to medical provider recommendations
Difficulties adhering to medications
Limited knowledge of the procedure and requiremets
Please note: it is not unusual for a patient to be accepted for bariatric surgery while also having a referral to a therapist as a support system before or after bariatric surgery.
*Some insurances require negative drug (including prescription narcotics), alcohol, and nicotine tests.
Rates & Payment
I am a PSYPACT provider. This means am able to see patients 18+ in all the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
All appointments are 100% virtual using a platform called Simple Practice. All insurance payments are collected using a platform called Headway and all non-insurance payments are collected using a HIPPA secure platform/app called IVY.
To learn more about PSYPACT click here
To learn more about Simple Practice click here
To learn more about IVY click here
Self-Pay
$500 (this includes two virtual appointments, testing, scoring, and writing of the report)
Accepted Insurance (Florida only):
Aetna
Oscar Health
United Healthcare
Oxford
I am also able to accept the following virtual plans Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts & Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey
Please note: if your plan is affiliated with Medicaid or Medicare, I will not be able to accept your insurance at this time.
Other Payment Options:
I've partnered with Mentaya, a service that streamlines getting reimbursed for your therapy sessions through out-of-network benefits. Mentaya is perfect if you have out of network benefits and are unsure about the process of submitting paperwork for reimbursement or simply want to skip the hassle of paperwork!
