I went to my psych eval two years ago and I didn't have to take a test.  I just went for an interview and the psychiatrist asked questions.  The interview lasted about an hour.  She told me at the end she was going to fax the results to Madigan in a couple of days.

The interview was long and I must say that I had trouble with doing serial 7's (at my interview she wanted me to count backwards from 100 by intervals of 7).

Scott

Hi,
  I just finished the pathways program Madigan.  I did have to take a goal setting class.  The first appointment for the mental health evaluation is just you taking tests.  They are all fill in the bubble type questions.  I am not exact in the number of questions, but there was a test with a couple of hundred questions on it, one with over 100, and then a couple shorter 25 question tests.  They all ask different questions, in different ways about your mental health, support system, state of mind, any history of chemical dependency.  They ask questions about your mood, overall state of your life and if you are happy.  It isn't bad.  The second appointment you have will be to go over the results.  I was scheduled with a Dr. Kelleher, or something like that.  I was seen by an active duty intern.  He was really nice.  He will tell you if your test results are acceptable to have the surgery. He also asks questions again and writes down your answers to some questions.  He asks about diets you have tried in the past, how are your changing your life now in preparation for the surgery, your support system at home,  what you expect after surgery, and things like that.  He told me that what they are looking for is something about you that would make them believe you will not follow your after surgery instructions, and in return by doing that you will end up costing them more money in the long run.   
   After my appointment with psych, he said that it would take about 2 weeks to get all of the paperwork together and that they would call me when I could schedule with the surgeon.  I actually got a call 3 days later saying all of my paperwork was in.  I called the surgeon and got an appointment with him for about 2 weeks later.  They schedule the operating rooms 30 days out.  I met him in late May.  He could have scheduled me for July surgery.  I want it August though so he told me to call him July1 and tell him what week I want the surgery and he will schedule the operating room.  When you meet with the surgeon he will put in for any additional tests you need.  I don't need any except the standard blood tests.  If you have heart, lung, or sleep apnea problems you will need extra tests.  I hope that helps.  Jenny

Yay for you!!! It goes pretty fast, so it won't be long now!

I did not have to have the psych eval, so I cannot answer (I was a revision, and told I did not have to repeat a bunch of stuff!)..but from what I remember from others going through it at the same time, it is a day thing, then they get the results to your surgeon right away. Hopefully others will chime in and give you the scoop!

Nancy I myself and many others had a horrible time trying to loose weight pre-op.. I was on a Low carb High protien diet myself and was giving it all I got... but I was hardly loosing.. I was getting worried that the Doc was going to postpone my surg date. But the 14day liquid diet I was on just prior to my surgery day was the savior. Its tough no doubt about it. Please stay strong and determined to get your self to your goal....  It will be so worth it.

Thank you, both of you.  Being on a fixed income forces me to be very creative, but one idea I've come up with to raise money for a new laptop is a raffle.  I'll be selling $2.00 tickets and the prize will be pet portraits (more than a $100 value) - that way there's something to be gained from both sides.

Family is going to help some and a few friends are also pitching in.  Even better, a neighbor has offered to loan me her laptop while I recover.  I'm definitely feeling love and support.  My goal? To raise the money within two weeks.  With the power of God, I think it is possible.  One thing is for sure: it has altered my view of reality.  I'm typically a happy-go-lucky person and I'm angry that part of me was also stolen - and that, my friends, was priceless.  I refuse to live in a bubble though - I plan to enjoy life all the more, thank you very much. 

Remember the poem 'Footprints in the Sand'? Well, He's carrying me at the moment...