hi

Hi everybody, i was wondering how many session did your mental screening last ????
The Doctor i am seeing want to  see me 2 moor times.

   The Dr. I seen only wanted to see me the one time. It took me an hour to take a written assessment he had typed up. And I spent maybe 45 minutes talking to him. What took the longest was getting the results faxed to my PCP, for them to fax to the surgeons office.
   Now I am just waiting on a date for my first appointment with the surgeon.
   Good luck to you in your new Journey...

thanks

That is such a variable thing.  Depending on your initial interview, attitude, results of any written testing.  Some like me chatted with the doc once, took the assessment test and went for a return chat and explanation of the assessment results.  If they determine that additional counseling is needed, then follow through with the counseling.  The surgery is on your gut, the hard work is done in your mind.  Any obstacles that can be worked out before surgery, the better.

Go with the flow.  Hugs, Kathy

 I went once (so far) but almost wish I could go for more.  Take advantage of it, and if there are any mental blocks or struggles that you recognize already (such as handling holidays, dealing with cravings, etc) work with your psychologist to come up with ways to handle them now, before crisis time.

Good luck, and like Kathy said, go with the flow!

well, let me see. i have been going to my shrink for about 10 years now on a weekly basis. so i have been to quite a few sessions. they took his letter as ok to go ahead with the surgery. good luck to you. vick

My evaluation was one session...I had to fill out a questionairre ahead of time and she went over the answers with me. I wouldn't be upset if he/she wants to see you a few more times. Their job is to make sure you are ready for this big, life changing surgery. More sessions can only help in that aspect. And if you're concerned why he/she wants to see you more, be honest and ask them why.  I would. Think of it as extra sessions to make sure you know what your getting into and just be up front with any questions you have.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Hey there.. I only had to go once, and it was a verbal session only, no written, but they questioned hard to make sure I was a good candidate, and also since I have a history of depression, they required clearance / approval from my Psych doc as well.
But every surgeon has thier own procedure they follow. I'll explain what part of it is when they want more sessions.
1. Of course they want to make sure you are being realistic and your eyes are open to everything and that you are a good candidate... BUT>>>>
2. Whenever a bariatric surgeons office is designated as (or trying to get designation as) a center of excellence in bariatric surgery, part of that designation (which is what most insuirance companies require to pay for the surgery) is based on the success rate of the offices bariatric patients. If the success rate is too low, they do not get the designation, and therefore cannot accept most insurances as the insurance company will not pay for suirgery with them. So this is another reason they want to make sure you are being serious and are committed. Thier income rides on it!

This has been Paul Harvey...and now you know the rest of the story. lol

thanks all for the info

You are very welcome! And welcome to our group! Nice to have you here!