Looking for Psychologist or Psychiatrist - ThinnerTimes

OkieinSanDiego · 01-11-2006, 04:14 PM

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Realtor Linda · 01-11-2006, 04:55 PM

I saw Dr. Koley, Psychaitric Centers of San Diego. I have Pacificare. It was one appointment, my $20 copay and waitied abput 4 weeks for the referral letter. Hope that helps you!

brookscn · 01-11-2006, 05:06 PM

I saw Dr. Victor Doroski of the Psychiatric Center of San Diego (same group that Linda used). I have Blue Cross PPO. He was very nice, it was a very quick meeting, and I would recommend him.

Here's there website - there's definitely a closer doctor to Bankers Hill:
http://www.psychiatriccenters.com/

See if your insurance covers them. When you call to make your appointment with a doctor, tell them that you are looking for a doctor to process your psych consult for gastric bypass surgery (some shinks don't do these consults - when I called to ask at the practice in San Marcos, it took them a couple of minutes to find a doctor who would do it).

Good luck - don't be worried. It's just a check-mark. They want to make sure you're not crazy, depressed, suicidal and that you don't have body dysmorphic disorder.

monkeygrly · 01-11-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OkieinSanDiego

I have called around alot these last 3 days and have been having horrible luck with shrinks.

They either don't take insurance (I am aetna hmo) or they are booked for months or they just don't return calls.

Most seem to want to do two meetings at $125 or more, which seems a bit extreme. But, they cant do me anyway due to insurance or lack of time.

I thought I would drop a line here and see if any of you all had suggestions. I live in Bankers Hill/Hillcrest area and would rather not drive too far.

Thank you.

Henry

I'll send you a PM when I get off of work. I have Aetna HMO as well and I was able to get an appointment within a couple of days of calling. I went somewhere in San Marcos.

Good luck,
Kristi

aesidwell · 01-11-2006, 07:06 PM

Ack, good luck on getting the shrink. I was lucky; already had a therapist and a psychiatrist (yup, I'm koo-koo bananas

) and both wrote letters and faxed them to my surgeon's office within 48 hours of my request. Trying to find them in THE FIRST PLACE, however, when I wanted to start therapy, I had the same experience as you, even with Blue Shield PPO.

Just wanted to add my support; hope you find one soon!

riotgrrl · 01-11-2006, 07:27 PM

i am going with the doctor that my doctor recomended. it is out of network and my insurance doesnt cover it anyways. they cover therapy but not a psych eval? anyways.. it's 150.00 out of pocket.
i think total for this surgery i am paying 1,000 (10.00 copays add up plus 100 per day in hospital) but i think it is well worth it!
if your doctor recomends someone try and see if they are cheaper because i called locally ( the doc is an hr away ) and they wanted almost DOUBLE..
ill drive the hour

coptergirl · 01-11-2006, 08:07 PM

My pshychologist (rather the gal who saw me once) was one that my doctor uses all the time in the case of a patient not having a regular therapist (Amanda is special...she has TWO!), so it was easy for me. I have though about hooking up with a therapist here in LA to make sure I don't go crazy before and/or after surgery, but I haven't heard of one who specialized in gbs except my therpist, Dr. Gaye Andrews. Shes pretty good, so maybe I'll keep her

Brooke220 · 01-13-2006, 06:30 AM

My insurance doesn't cover mental health, so for my pre-op psych eval we had to pay ($220) at the time of the visit. But it's been well worth it.