Psych Evaluation??

Hey- just getting prepared for my consult in August and I have been reading profiles and posts and it sounds like I will need to get a pyschological evaluation before the surgery. How does this work? How do you find someone who does these? I made a couple of calls today using the yellow pages and nobody that I talked with does these. And what is this like anyway- like a one time visit or do you have to go for a few visits - what are they looking for? Sorry for the questions but I am so excited that I am finally making progress and now this pysch thing has me a bit on edge-probably for no reason but would love to hear from you all about what to expect and how to find someone to go to. Muchas gracias! -Nan

Hi Nan. My surgeon refered me to someone. At your consult your surgeon may refer you. When I had mine I just had him ask me questions like why do you want this. What have you tried in the past to lose weight, how will you cope with the many changes that you will go through. I also had to fill out a short questionaire about how I was feeling mentally for the past two weeks. I have heared of some having to take a long test where it asked questions to see if you have a eating disorder, mental illnes etc. Its natural to be nervous over it. Try not to worry too much. Cindy

It sorta depends on your surgeon. He/she will recommend what you need to do before surgery. I had the psych eval from hell. The psycho psychologist spent the first 20 minutes telling me how impressed I should be with HIS education. Then I had to take an 800 question personality test. Nasty. Had to go back a week later and find out that I have an anxiety disorder. Like I needed him to tell me that! And that he considered me a "borderline" person for WLS. At that point, I was going to tell him whatever I needed to to be approved. He had no clue I was just telling him what I thought he wanted to hear! How smart does that make him with all his education??? Dispite his dire predictions based on how I answered all 800 questions, I did really well. Very little post op pain, only an infection at 2 weeks out around the G tube. I'm down 110 pounds with 10 to go. I feel pretty good and am looking forward to a tummy tuck after the first of the year. Oh, he was fixated on me never being able to eat Thanksgiving dinner again! He was so clueless. Last Thanksgiving was probably the best one I've had in recent memory. I was free of that incredible urge to be a pig. I had a spoonful of everything and was done. So don't sweat the psych eval. Nothing could be as bad as the ones a couple of us had from the same guy. Just don't go to Boone for it!

Hey Nan- It all depends on what your insurance requires. My ins. co. (wellmark of ia) required an MMPI test (about 600 multiple choice questions, a personality test). Others only require you to have a conversation with the psychologist, and you will have to answer a few questions so that they know that you are competent/willing to comply after surgery. Either way I wouldn't worry about it. I am a nut and they approved me!! Just answer the questions honestly. Good luck!! Katie Surgery scheduled 8/3/05!!!

Mornin Nan I think it depends on your insurance or your surgeon. At the time of my surgery my surgeon didn't require us to go. But he changed his mind after one of the patients had surgery then a week later was eating! And of course wasn't following the guidelines. since I'm such a big mouth I went to him & reported this as I wasn't going to have her coming back on him if something went wrong. After that stunt it seemed like he was referring patients. Sorry couldn't be helpful. Hugs Carolyn

I went thru the U of I and didn't have to have a psych eval.....I think it all depends on your surgeon and your history. I have heard it be a 15 minute conversation to the big ole multiple choice test....I wouldn't worry to much about it tho.....if you do have to have one....your surgeon will tell you where to go and stuff!!! Take Care jesi

I just had my psych eval done tuesday, and had heard that the person I went to was lets just say not so nice, but he was not. Didn't have to do a huge test, he just talked to me. Making sure I understood the surgery, what the risks where that sort of stuff. He recommended me, made me feel at ease. I know if I ever have any mental health problems, I'd go to him in a heart beat.