Psyche Evaluation...what is it about?

Dear friends, I am curious and a little worried about this psyche evaluation. What is it about and what happens if you do not pass? And what is passing? How do they know if you will try sucide atfer the surgery? My Doctor told me at least two people try it and only one died. So why is this psyche evaluation so important and needed to the WLS? Are they seeing if we are or just plain out weird? But what is normal by their levels? Or do they consider everyone or like on boston legal stuck with cow.. Just joking about the cow sickness and forgettforness in old poeple. Sorry no cruelty intended. I am just worried about the evaluation. I never had one before and I go next month for one.. It is just unsettling for me. No one in my family has had one for surgery and on a regular everyday content. It is really unsettling to me and to my parents. They think it is really odd and weird at the same time. I am in the same train of thoughts as they are. And then on the other hand I have no thought on the subject either at the same time. Well thanks for you kindness.. Your friend, Tina

I had my psych eval last week and the Dr. let me read her report after she was finished. Vanderbilt sent her a specific template of questions she needed to ask. I don't know about where you are going, but here are some from theirs. They wanted to know first and foremost, if you understand what the surgery is going to do to your body, ie....explain what the surgery does.... They want to assure that you are going into this knowledgeable and informed about it. They also want to know that you understand what will be different after your surgery. then, they ask some pretty serious questions about eating disorders. The Dr.'s at Vandy say this is one of their biggest concerns. For example, a binge eater is not a good fit for the surgery because they might consistantly try to stretch their new stomach and cheat the surgery. I wouldn't worry too much about this process. I don't think they are worried about crazy. Good luck Rachael

Hi Tina, it depends on who your surgeon is and who he's sending you too. Some of the psycho's will give you an hour test. This determines on your habits now, past, and future. The two I took, one said I was unstable, the other said I needed more therapy before he would consider giving me the ok. My own shrink and psych wrote a letter of my abilities regarding the surgery. That I was of sound mind and new the pros and cons of the surgery. Who is your surgeon, and who is the psych you have to see? If you are seeing Dr. Bender in Knoxville, he will talk with you and ask a lot of questions. He said I had issues from the past that would hinder my having surgery at that time. If you are seeing Dr. Munson in Jefferson City, he has never passed anyone for the surgery. He gives the test, and is dead set against the surgery. If you are going thru Vandy, ask for Karen as your psych. She's great and I've never known anyone failing with her. She was willing to do mine for Dr. Colquitt as a favor for Missy Lea. But she only does them for Vandy Dr.'s on a regular basis. So you need to go to your profile, and update who your surgeon is, then we might be able to help you out more. Best of luck, Kathy

Tina, Your question is timely as I just had mine yesterday My insurance requires the evaluation as well as my surgeon. I went to the Evelyn Frye Center here in Nashville. The front desk staff was VERY sweet. THe evaluation was broken into two parts... You have two tests to complete. Remember those tests in school where you filled in the bubbles with a number 2 pencil? They are just like those. I had 344 on one test and 165 on another. They asked questions about suicide, uncontrolled violence, if I had friends, do I feel like folks are stealing my thoughts, etc. Some of the questions made me laugh out loud. My hand sure hurt after that part of the evaluation. When you finish the test, the front desk folks take them and go on and put them in the machine to be scored. When it was scoring, I sat in the waiting room writing in my WLS Journey journal and reading. After about 15 minutes I was called back to talk to the doctor. She asked me why LAP Banding and not GBS. She asked if I'd made any changes already. She asked what eating plans worked best for me and which ones didn't and why. We talked a little about my family history and releationship history. We talked about how life changing this choice was and how it would impact me forever. It was a nice conversation. At the end she said, "Congratulations. You are about to embark on a great adventure." I liked that. It's my life and I choose to make it an absolute adventure! Sorry that I've written a book. I guess I wanted to mostly get across that it isn't bad. It makes you think about your choices. It gives you some, ahem, food for thought . If you are truly mentally unfit to do this right now, that's a good thing to catch it before...right? One of the questions she asked was where I see myself in five years. I said, "Healthy. Physically, spiritually, emotionally and financially." We all just want to be healthy. Really done now... Marianne H.

Marianne, Just wanted to say hi and wish you luck! I'm having surgery with Dr. Houston, April 11th. I'm so excited! April

Hi April! You must absolutely be on countdown. I won't get to meet Dr. Houston until my insurance approves me. He was my friend's surgeon and she was very, very happy with him. What do you think of him? What have you done to get ready for your big day? Great to hear from you! Marianne

Dr. Houston was nice, very cut and dry... straight to the point. The day before my consultation I had just found out I was approved so I was still a ball of emotions during my consult. LOL I had trouble forming coherent thought processes and babbled alot so I surely embarassed myself. Anyways, he answered all my questions without my asking and most of it I already knew through my research. I have complete faith in his competence as a surgeon. To prepare for my big day, I've been focused on taking vitamins, watching what I eat, exercising, and avoiding the last supper syndrome. I really want to lose 10lbs before going into surgery. I'll feel more confident going into the surgery (if that makes sense). According to my scale, I've lost 6lbs since March 7th. I've made a list of what I need but haven't actually purchased anything yet. Oh and I've planned my last meal before I start the 2 day liquids before surgery. Thankfully, Dr. Houston doesn't require a bowel prep! Right now, the surgery doesn't seem real though I'm excited, constantly thinking about it or reading about it. I hope you have a quick approval, waiting is definitely the worst! April

I was nervous about mine as well. But it was very relaxed and really no big deal. I only spoke with the women shortly and then I had a huge pile of papers waiting for me. The general personality tests and so on, basicly if your not a raving, mad, lunatic you will pass no problem. lol, although for some strange reason I was worried that I wouldn't pass!!! I wish you the best! Luv, Jacqueline

Tina, this is Sara Messer. My eval was just the same as some of the other's. I spoke with the Dr. & then took a couple of test. My Dr. told me she was passing me before I left. I also ask about Post-Op counseling. I want to make sure this work's for me. Keep your chin up & we'll keep our finger's crossed. Sara. P.S. I used Alternative Counseling Center in Fountain City. Mary Barker. She's very nice & makes you feel very comfortable.