PSYC EVAL

I'm new to the board but have been reading for awhile. I have a question about the psyc eval. With everything that has been dumped on me lately, I'm afraid they are going to put me away. What kind of questions do they ask? I'm probably worried for nothing. I sure hope it's not as bad as I'm thinking.

I can't really answer your question because I don't even have mine scheduled until Jan 31...  But, from what I've read it isn't anything to worry about.  I've heard they ask some questions about your eating habits...  kinda to get an idea of why you eat (emotional, boredom, etc...) and talk to you about the long-term dietary changes you'll have to make and make sure that you know that after surgery you won't be able to use food to cope with emotional issues like you have in the past. I've also heard about a 200-300 question test that you neither pass or fail, but it is just to help them know your personality. I hope you get more answers from those who have been there and done that...  but, don't worry.  I don't think they'll put you away.  I've heard of some people having to go to more than one session to get things ironed out, but not institutionalized! Good luck! Dot*

I don't think I'm that bad off to be institutionalized, At least not yet. My kid's may drive me to it though. I read on another board that they may her count backward from 100 by 7's. I don't think I can count forward by 7's. I'm just wondering what to expect. Maybe I should just take my husband and kid's then that should explain everything.

I'm with you on the counting!!  lol  Numbers just aren't my thing!  That sounds more like a sobriety test than anything!  lol  Tell them you aren't DRUNK!  ha ha I've never heard that one.  I don't see what that would have to do with anything

Mine was in Dallas and it was more annoying than anything else-I didn't feel that any of it was specific to weight loss surgery.  I think it's more trying to weed out people with active mood disorders who are currently in crisis and making an impulse decision to have this major surgery. YOU are paying for this-so you might as well be honest and say I've been under some unusual stress lately, however I don't think it will prevent me from being successful.  The doc may have an idea that can help you handle the stress.

I was lucky and none of the tests that people go through did I have to have. I just got a referral and that was it. Best of luck and glad to meet you Debra

Thanks everyone. this board is great.

Mine was pretty cut & dry.  No counting upside down or inside out.  No 300 question test.   We discussed my support system (family, friends, who I've told and why I've kept some people in the dark) He wanted to know my eating behaviors (boredom, emotional, do I know what real hunger is?) He wanted to know if I was realistic in my expectations of what surgery would do for me (making sure I didn't think of this as a magic wand, but only as a tool) He wanted to know why I wanted to lose weight (cosmetic, health, because there's nothing else to do on a Thursday morning, etc.) Stuff like that...he asked me about my previous marriage, too, but I think he was trying to figure out if I had "skeletons" that needed to be addressed. Good luck! Cathy

Cathy, who did yours?  He sounds like the one that did mine!  I was very nervous about mine as well, but it was nothing bad at all.  He asked about my support system, and I told him that my Dad does not know about it, and I may not tell him.  He wanted to know why, were we close, how often did we talk, that type of thing.  I can be sensitive at times, and started crying...which turned into sobs lol.  He was very nice and patient with me, and talked to me about how to deal with my Dad.  I just know that he is not supportive, after seeing what happened with my little sister's, and I don't want feel like I should have to explain myself.  I am grown!   Anyway, he also cleared me for surgery!  YAY!!!  Good luck, its not that bad.  You will do just fine! 

Just an update... I survived and She didn't put me away.... I just had to answer 185 questions on the computer. And sit and chat about what to expect and talked with my husband about what he has to look forward to. I have to go back 1 more time before surgery and 2 times after. I wish the sleep study would have been that easy..