The Psych Eval!

Hi All, I'd love some feedback on the following issue.  As you all know I regularly do Psych Evals for Surgons in Northern Jersey.  What I wonder is what your experience has been like.  I'm not looking to either slam or recommend any evaluator in particular but am inteested instead in what you found helpfull. It is always my hope to help my patients feel more prepared for what is to come but as a therapist one never knows in advance what patients will find helpfull. Please help the helper to help! Thanks for your iinput. Dr. Mike

Hi Dr Mike,         I personally don't think my psych. eval helped with what I am experiencing now that I'm on the losers bench. My Dr. was very nice and asked lots of questions but truly I didn't know that mind part of this whole experience would be so difficult. I don't regret my decision but I wish I would have been more prepared. I guess I didn't realize how strong your mind is and how much I was programmed to let food rule me. It is getting better everyday and I have lost 45lbs so far and am thrilled but the first 2 weeks was the hardest. So I would say to anyone who is contemplating this surgery to continue therapy ot at least see a behavior modifier. I'm looking into that as I don't want to fail. Thanks for listening!                                                          Judy

Hi Judy, I thank you for responding.  For me, my role is both as an evaluator and as a preparer.  I try to do a good job at both. While WLS provides a very powerful tool it does not solve the problem.  Success requires both dietary and behavioral changes and support groups and or individual counseling can really help. You are smart to try and line up some support.  Good luck. I hope your response to my question encourages others to as well. Dr. Mike

Hmmm. On the one hand, I want to say that I don't think the eval is about preparing someone for surgery.  I think that's a big misconception.  Rather, I think it's about seeing how well the evaluator thinks the person is prepared. I went to the evaluator that my surgeon's office recommended.  I took some tests and I talked with the evaluator for maybe 20 minutes?  I "passed."  :) That meeting was about doing what the insurance company required.  Nothing more, nothing less. On the other hand, I think there are certainly those who would benefit from being more prepared.  One option for that - one really GOOD option - is to talk with a psych to deal with whatever underlying issues may be pertinent.  The psych eval is a good opportunity to identify the people that would truly benefit from this. I have read many people who think that there should be stronger psych requirements prior to surgery.  For myself, I think that what I had was fine, so I'm glad I didn't have to do any more than that. Wendy

Too many patients see the psych eval as 'one more hurdle'.  This can make it harder for them to really get something from me.  Truthfully, my experience can help them become more prepared.  Clearly there is an emotional component to both obesity and to success following surgery. So for those of you who felt your eval was lacking.....with your experience now......what do you think should have been included? Thanks, Dr. Mike