Psy-eval date finally,Hope I can answer correctly

June 5 is another 500 mile round trip from Houston to Dallas, but I'll gladly make it.  I just received my letter from the VA Hosptial for my Psy-evaluation.   Any suggestions on how to act "normal?" I'm starting to let fear creee in.  I fear that I will act to willingly to have the R-Ny and the psych will think I'm crazy.  Sure don't want to blow the interview. . .    My psych letter indicated that I should plan on being in her office for up to 4 hours and bring reading glasses if I needed them.  I guess I had in the back of my mind that I would drop in for the interview, smile, chit-chat for about 30 minutes then be on my way.  Is this normal or maybe it is just the protocol for the VA Hospital.   I'm excited about getting this far, now scared that i will blow it. . . I've always thought of myself as normal, but I do have to be honest that it has been my "Normality" that has gotten me in the shape I'm in. Any suggestions of how to make an "abnormal" person "normal" or a "normal" person "abnormal" to pass the psy-eval? Mike Ray

if you try to ACT thery will see right through it. IMO they are just making sure you know what its all about, you have mentally come to terms with your best friend dying( FOOD) and are ready to move on. Sounds like you get to take 500 question multiple choice test that usually has a 30 "talk" session as well. I am sure Bob can shed more light once he sees the thread, he is almost an expert on Psyche Evals now.

Thanks for the info, 500 question test, wow!   You hit it on the head about my best friend dying. . .  Hopefully, it will turn out ok. Mike

Hi Mike, just be yourself.  I was nervous as hell, because I know I'm a nut case, crazy all these years, shadows in my past, afraid someone will unearth long ago buried events.  The first two psychologists fancied themselves as being 'in the know' but really weren't.  The third for me was a charm, she understood the Bariatric Psych eval process and gave me a 500 question test, talked to me for 30 minutes about the actual surgery and my expectations and knowledge of it.  And then held out her hand and told me 'good luck on your journey.' The only thing I would warn on is sharing too much, for example I had self diagnosed as being passive agressive and her psychological antennas shot up and finally we arrived at the conclusion that the way I defined passive agressive is not the way psychologists define it.  Whew. Just talk to her about WLS being merely a tool and that the hard work comes from you, that you have to change your life style and you know you can do this because we are talking about life and death here.   Good luck!  Bob M.

From one nut case to another, your right it's makes me nerous as hell being myself. . .  I guess that I am lucky that this psy knows about Bariatric psych - she is the main psy that all bariatric patients have to be cleared from.   I could have gone to the VA in Houston and save a 500 mile round trip, but they VA-Dallas suggested that I come to Dallas as she was familiar with the process. 

Thanks for your help.

Mike

 

 

I guess I was lucky in regards to the psych eval.  I have a psychiatrist I go to off and on to get my meds for anxiety so he was able to do my evaluation.  I told him I was going to have the surgery and needed a psych eval, he typed one up in a few minutes and I was on my way.  Guess him already knowing me helped.

It's good to know people in high places. . .  thanks. Mike

Mike, just be yourself man.  The emotional changes you experience from the surgery are just as drastic as the physical.  Trust me.  I have gone from 432 pounds to 188 pounds in a year.  What a whopper of a life change.  Good luck to you and take care. John

Thanks for the encouragement.  That's wonderful 432 to 188 in a year.   I'm anxious and scared at the same time, but I guess that is normal.  Thanks for your reply. Mike

I am a righteous reverend and hardly curse, but damn, John, in a year you went from 432 to 188!? Did you wake up one day and look at yourself in the mirror and jump wondering who in the hell is the reflection, LOL Congrats.  I certainly hope I can be like John.  I worked out hard in my 20's and early 30's, I want to know if I can rehydrate all those muscles!!!    Again, many congratulations.  send me your story of what you ate and what you did, I would find it fascinating!   BobM.