Phych Evaluation

My Psyche eval was super easy.  She asked me questions that were related to why I wanted surgery, what I had hoped to gain from it, how I thought I had gained weight - the life crud that brought me to that moment in time, if I was prepared for what was going to happen, if I understood what was going to happen in surgery and that it was a lifelong thing, not oh you heal from surgery and return to life as you know it, she wanted to make sure that I realized this would change my life irrevocably.  She wanted to make sure I wasn't depressed or addicted to drugs or alcohol.  She asked questions about my home life and whether or not I had a support system at home, if my family supported me.  She also touched on exercise and motivation issues.  I continued to see her in the months leading up to surgery, and I thought it was really beneficial to talk about and deal with food addiction issues prior to surgery, and how I was going to deal with all the changes coming after surgery.  I actually didn't think she was proactive enough, many times she let me do all the talking, and after she did the eval required by my surgeon and insurance, I changed and am seeing someone else who is more thorough and proactive.  I really wanted someone who would keep me thinking and pushing myself as well as talking.  It helps keep me focused.  Lately I have been low emotionally because of a weird competition thing that I have to deal with, and have had a lot of frustration mainly concentrated around dinner and not being able to keep it down and then going to bed exhausted and with head hunger and kinda mad... Plus I am back at work and my job can be very stressful and I have a 13 hour day... so these are the things I talk to my new Psyche about... my impatience that this phase right itself, that I can put aside competition issues that I never asked for nor wanted just kinda got dragged into... or I find a reason for the sickness at dinner, or an alternative to adapt to it... A strange set of cir****tances for me because Ive always been a very positive upbeat person and feeling this way is unlike me.  Anyway... Good Luck.. relax, be honest... remember this Psychologist is there to help you along your journey.. and you will do just fine! Big Hugs!!!

For my Psych eval I was given an MMPI, it was a true or false test of about 170ish questions.  Afterwards the Dr. scored the test and wrote up her interpertation of the results.  Oh, she and I talked for one appt before she did that.  Then she told me she would recommend me for surgery, but the test results with her recomendations had to be approved by her boss, who put the restriction on my psych eval that I had to go to counseling and my counselor had to write a letter when she felt I was ready.  That was in June, I was told yesterday that the letter was faxed and got my date.  Granted my counselor had to send the letter to the same boss that said I needed counseling, so she and I thought it wouldn't go thru this time but it did.

It's been five years, but I remember I cried a lot. I was going through kind of a tough time in my life and I thought losing weight would be a good answer to that tough time. The behaviorist said he wouldn't flunk me, but thought I needed to seek counseling ... which I did. I'm still in therapy, by the way, because I still seek out other behaviors (eating, spending) when I'm lonely, bored, etc. ... not so much eating anymore. So I know I have these issues, and I have to continue treatment to control them. If I hadn't gone into therapy, I probably wouldn't have lost my 180 pounds and kept it off. I really have to watch myself.

Sure, you might be nervous. Who wouldn't be? Some of them use tests; mine didn't, but my psychologist now used a test when I first met her.

As the others told you, insurance companies want to make sure you will follow through. This is expensive surgery and you are making a big commitment to it. Will you be compliant? Will you follow the diet? You'd be surprised at how many people start out after surgery and decide they don't want to follow the post-op all-liquid diet. One nurse told me a story of a patient who, the day he was released, went to the drive-through at McDonald's and ordered a Big Mac meal and super-sized it. Obviously, someone missed something on the psych eval! He was back in the ER an hour later. Not saying you'd do that, but that's the kind of things they're looking for.

Good luck to you ... e-mail if you need to talk.

I have to agree with everyone, the psych eval was the easiest. The Dr. that did mine stated that if he let me leave then I "passed" if I would have failed then he would have sent me for inpatient psychiatric care. And please do NOT let my experience scare you, everyone has their own unique experience. Best wishes to you and praying for a speedy recovery for you.
I think sometimes some people are their own biggest fans!!!! 

Danielle ~ thanks for your reply!!    Wow, I just noticed how far you have come!!  CONGRATS!! 

 

Brenda ~ WOW 3 hours!!  I hope mine wouldn’t last that long.  EEKKKS                              

That makes sense about the insurance company wanting to make sure I know what I’m getting into.

I think your suggestion about posting a new message asking other’s near me where they went.  I have a list of places to call and was going to do that Monday.  But, I have worried just to pick one and go and then them NOT passing me.  Thanks for that suggestion!!

I will have to remember to tell them I’m nervous!!  LOL

Thanks for the encouragement and about us all being a few fries short of a happy meal ~ too funny.  LOL

 

Decker ~  I have done so much reading on the WLS I want!!  LOL  I have obsessed with reading up on it and I know what’s going to happen, however, for me to have to explain it to them, that scares me.  I don’t speak well, and would probably mess it up then they will think I’m not ready.  ARGG, I hope they don’t ask me that one!!  What is MMPI-2???

I will have to remember your suggestion on answering just the question, but I think I’ll do that as I will be afraid ~ HEHEHEHE 

Thanks for the encouragement and help.

 

Pam ~ first I have to tell you I LOVE going to Saginaw!!  We live near West Branch and make it there quite often!!     LOVE Petsmart and my hubby of course loves Old Country Buffett and the chineese restaurant!!  I know, that will change for us soon!!  LOL

Anyways,  I like how your evaluation went!!  I hope mine goes something like that!!  LOL

I will try to relax and do some deep breathing beforehand!!  LOL

I am sure I will want to kick myself after it is done, I seem to worry so much over things, then they seem to turn out like it was no big deal!! 

I’m just a worry wart.

 

Debbiejean ~ thanks for your input here ~ I sure hope I don’t fail.  I think that would make it even worse on me to go back!!

 

Pineview ~ Just wanted to thank you for also taking the time to respond!!  So, I should bring a book to read, maybe, for the waiting time!!  LOL

 

Jani ~ WOW, yours went really quick and easy!!  I hope mine goes as quick and easy.

 

Rachelynka ~ I soooooo appreciate your answer on some of the questions you were asked!!  (I just love reading your posts!!)  Anyways, you have given me questions to start thinking about and preparing for.  I, in a way, would like to keep seeing someone, too, to talk about food addictions and maybe help me through why I eat and have gotten to this weight.  I hope I can find someone good like that and who I could talk easy and openly with.  That is why I like Brenda’s idea about posting a new post to see where people went around my area!! 

I hope you are feeling better and more positive about things.  Sorry to hear you are not your perky self lately. 

Thank you for your words of encouragement!!    I really appreciate them!!

God Bless

 

Kellyj ~   Wow, are you glad you had to go to the counseling?  I am glad you got your letter!! 

Thanks for replying to my post too!!  I value everyone that has taken their time to help me through this.

 

Eileen ~ I’m sorry you cried a lot during your evaluation.  I am worried I might too.  I need to learn to control my eating problem and I get emotional talking about it.  So, I, too, will probably cry.  I just might have to go through counseling first, I’m thinking.  We shall see I guess.

WOW on the guy who went and ate a Big Mac after being released.  I wouldn’t do that!!  LOL  I know what I’m in for and know what I have to do after, I just know the mind will play games with me soon about food.  That does scare me.

Thanks for the invite to email you!!  (I’ll keep that in mind) 

God Bless you!!

 

 

Joy ~ I am hoping the evaluation will be the easiest thing I have to do for this journey!!  LOL

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me!! 

I am so glad I’ve found this place and so many nice people to help me and others through this.

 

 

God Bless you all,

Thanks again,

 

 

 

 

Am I glad I had to do the counseling.........some days.  It's nice to have a conversation with someone that you don't have to worry your kids will overhear and then ask questions or run of crying because you called their dad a bunch of 4 letter words.  Other days when I work on the underlying crud and then have night terrors from being molested as a child, well lets just say I could do without that part. 

In the end I know it will make me a healthier, better person, but I wi**** wasn't so emotionally taxing.  The good thing is I have been able to practice healthy coping habits and haven't been gorging on food to feel better, I have been walking a lot...alone, but the kids dad is supportive and watches them if I need a break.