Bariatric Surgery Psychological Evaluations
As part of the bariatric surgery process, most insurance companies require a psychological evaluation to be cleared for bariatric surgery. Dr. Rebecca Leslie, Dr. Laura Riss, and Dr. Vincent Fitch provide bariatric psychological evaluations through video appointments and in person appointments in Atlanta, Georgia. Appointments are provide for patients who are getting gastric sleeve, duodenal switch, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric band, or gastric bypass bariatric surgery. The appointment includes an hour long video visit. During this appointment, your psychologist that is doing the surgery evaluation will provide recommendations and give guidance on things that you can do to help with successful short term and long term bariatric surgery outcomes. After the meeting, your psychologist will then write up a report to send to your bariatric surgery team.
At Best Within You Therapy & Wellness, in addition to bariatric surgery evaluations, we offer the option to work with you before and/or after surgery if you are needing additional support related to stress, disordered eating, lifestyle changes, or mental health.
We have been a part of many patients surgery support team, and it would be an honor to be a part of yours.
What Is A Bariatric Psychological Evaluation?
A Bariatric psychological evaluation is an assessment that helps determine if someone is a good fit for bariatric surgery from a psychological perspective. It is also an opportunity to learn more about things that can help you be successful long term with your surgery outcomes. The assessment will include an interview as well as completing an online packet of questionnaires. During the assessment, you will be asked a variety of questions. Some examples of topics that will be discussed include who is in your support system and who will care for you after surgery, mental health history, and weight loss attempts. During the bariatric psychological evaluation, we will discuss why you are wanting bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery involves making major lifestyle changes and the evaluation is an important part in preparing for the surgery. Our goal is not only to be there to provide an assessment but also provide education and support.
If you would like to schedule an appointment please let us know if you are already scheduled for bariatric surgery or plan to be scheduled for surgery. Also, please let us know where you plan to get the bariatric surgery. We are happy to work with your bariatric surgery team and coordinate your care.
Why Have This Surgery Evaluation?
Most insurance companies require a pre-bariatric surgery psychological evaluation. Many surgeons also require that you have this evaluation because they understand how important it is. Even if your insurance company or surgeon does not require it, it is still incredibly beneficial. The evaluation can help you to better understand yourself and making behavior changes. It can also help you to learn about your coping patterns and habits. After the evaluation, you will then have a psychologist to contact for support before or after surgery if any concerns come up. As you are going through the bariatric surgery process and work with a psychologist at Best Within You Therapy & Wellness you will also have a psychologist that is on your team throughout your process. You can continue to email your therapist after the evaluation if you have questions and are always welcome to set up therapy appointments.
Why get this evaluation at Best Within You Therapy & Wellness?
Dr. Laura Riss developed the bariatric surgery assessment protocol for The Southeast Permanente Medical Group of Georgia. She has conducted trainings in bariatric assessment and ran groups for bariatric patients. Dr. Leslie has presented at Emory to the bariatric surgery group and has participated in leading post surgery bariatric groups. Dr. Leslie is an associate member of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. She is also part of a monthly multidisciplinary bariatric surgery consultation team. Dr. Vincent Fitch has significant experience conducting bariatric surgery evaluations and working with bariatric patients. Not only does he have experience with bariatric evaluations, he also has conducted transplant surgery evaluations. If you get a psychological evaluation from Dr. Riss, Dr. Fitch, or Dr. Leslie know that you will be working with a qualified professional. You will also be working with someone who has a specialty in eating concerns. The psychologists are able to fully assess for eating disorders and help catch an eating disorder, which can interfere with surgery outcomes.
You are also able to meet with a psychologist through video appointments or in person. We provide bariatric psychological evaluations to clients in Atlanta, throughout Georgia, as well as 30 states throughout the US.
If you have Aetna, we accept this insurance. The out of network rate for a bariatric psychological evaluation is $395. This rate includes the meeting, scoring of questionnaires, and report that will be sent over to your bariatric team. We can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Many of our clients are able to get reimbursed some to most of the cost from their insurance company.