Question:
WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO BE DONE AND WHY IS THE OUTCOME BASED ON THEIR OPINION???????

OF COURSE WE AS OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS LOOK HOW WE HAVE BEEN TREATED BY THE MAJORITY. AND WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR EATING HABITS, SO WE ARE SEARCHING FOR HELP.    — Faye L. (posted on June 3, 2002)

June 3, 2002
I was told that the reason a psych evaluation was done was to make sure that we are emotionally/mentally 'fit' for surgery and the HUGE lifestyle changes that WLS bring to our lives. Basically, I think the surgeon and ins companies want to make sure that we can handle such a change. This is such a huge change for everyone involved--it is not the easy way out. This is much harder than 'dieting' and 'exercising' to stay healthy, this is a drastic measure for drastic results. I had to pay up front for my psych evaluation as the preferred shrink for my program was out-of-network, that's $400.00 for testing and one 1-hour session! Good luck--it's worth it!
   — jenn2002

June 3, 2002
I personally became overweight due to emotional issues in my life. And I KNOW that I would not be as successful with this tool if I hadn't dealt with those issues BEFORE surgery. I see alot of people on here that still have food issues, and I pray for them daily. I had "head hunger" once or twice since my surgery. I litterally greived for chocolate cake one day. I cried for 3 hours just wanting a peice of cake. Insurance companies are just making sure that like the previous poster put it, are emotionally and mentally ready for this change. Its hard to explain to someone pre op the difference. Its hard for me to explain this to people who don't need the surgery the changes I have gone through. My first week post op I was so emotional that I cried at a drop of a hat and I did that for 4 days. It sounds like a silly hoop to jump through but definately a neccesarry one.
   — Diane Rhoads

June 3, 2002
My roommate's twin brother is the psychiatrist who does the evaltuations for the Baylor medical program in Dallas. I asked him pretty much the same question. He said that WLS docs want to make sure that they aren't gonna be sued, ie if someone hates their scar, or has unrealistic expectations, or can't handle the changes, etc. etc. I think it's a good thing, as long as the psych is trained in this area, unlike my original psych who made value judgements and denied me the surgery. (Geeze, it's been three months and I had the surgery...you think I'd be over it by now.) Anyway, bottom line, WLS just want assurance that they won't get sued...
   — rebeccamayhew