The best Psychologists specialising in weight loss surgery?

[Lornapc 18]

Hi 👋

Now I know that my own “team” should have helped me with this. But they didn’t.

Now that the world is a smaller place and consultations can happen online, does anyone have names of

*reliable/responsible
*well educated and certified

Psychologists especially for us bariatric surgery patients?

I didn’t see anyone pre-surgery and I know that I need to both address why I got so big - and - how to get over those issues - and - how to keep losing now.

All of us have limited money, right?! I hate the idea of spending my kid’s college money (which is what any extra money we manage to save ultimately is), on a psychologist who sees one patient like me in a lifetime and has to look everything up before I get to her and after I leave. You know what I mean? It also can’t drag on forever.. I just don’t have the means to be going for more than six months or so.

Ideas for across the globe welcomed ❤️

Xx Lorna

[kcuster83 1,504]

Mine was an actual bariatric patient herself.

She was very knowledgeable with the entire process and what to expect.

I also had virtual visits, so she may take out of state patients.

Deana D. Johnson

Therapeutic Greenhouse
120 Sister Pierre Drive
STE 506
Towson, MD 21204
(443) 991-8461

[Lornapc 18]

Keep em coming! I’m hoping an Irish one will pop up and I’ll even be able to use some insurance :)

[lizonaplane 1,612]

You will not be able to use an out of state therapist, because they are not licensed in your state. It's very stupid, but in this country the practice of medicine and psychology is based on state licensure.

You may be able to go to psychologytoday.com and use their search feature to find a bariatric therapist in your state. It can be anywhere in your state if you can do remote, but it can't be out of state, unless they happen to be licensed in multiple states.

EDIT: Just realized you are in Ireland. US therapists will not be able to treat you due to licensure issues. HOWEVER.... you may be able to find one who will work with you as a "coach" which doesn't require any license.

There is also an Australian bariatric therapist (Georgie Beems?) who sees clients virtually, maybe the licensing issues are different?

Talk to your bariatric center and see if they can refer you to someone.

[Lornapc 18]

Thanks so much. There isn’t much help here at all for psychologists specialising in bariatrics so I have to go further afield. Thanks for all the info :)

[lizonaplane 1,612]

44 minutes ago, Lornapc said:

Thanks so much. There isn’t much help here at all for psychologists specialising in bariatrics so I have to go further afield. Thanks for all the info

Honestly, it's very hard here in the states to find bariatric-competent therapists too. I am just using the one from my surgery center, and it takes months to schedule an appointment with her.

I really like listening to podcasts made by/for the bariatric community - Our Sleeved Life Podcast and Breaking down Nutrition with Dr. Susan Mitchell, and check out "the sleeved dietitian" on Instagram. She has a program called TRIBE.

Good luck!