Question:
Denied - Psych Eval Results
i had my psych eval and they denied me sayin that my MMPI results indicate im depressed...helllo?? arent most of us..they said i have to wait another 3 mnths and then retest..i think i might hafta go to a new DR all together now..anyone have this prob? if so what did u do?? — christine S. (posted on October 25, 2002)
October 25, 2002
What is a MMPI? All I did at my psych eval was talk to the doc for awhile,
some of the talk wasn't even about me. I even told him that I've been on
antidepressants for awhile now,, he approved me and wished me luck with the
surgery and for my future. I would go to another doc, I've been to a few
different ones over the years (for depression)and have never been tested
for anything. Sorry I have no advise, since I have no clue what test you
went through..but I wish you the best and GOOD LUCK!!!
— Amy Hoffman
October 25, 2002
an MMPI is like a personality test that asked u all kinds of stupid
questions over n over and b4 u take it they say to answer for the LAST 6
MNTHS..had i known that they were goin to read me stil be depressed i
would have answered for TODAYS feelings..so even after explainin myself she
still said i had to wait 3 more mnths what is stupid is seems to me ALMOST
NOONE ELSE IS REQUIRED TO TAKE THIS.
— christine S.
October 25, 2002
I would find another doc and let him have the money - rather than keep
paying the first one. If you have quit serious depression you probably need
medication - did the dr prescribe it for you? If not - I would definately
get another opinion.
— charlene M.
October 25, 2002
yea i have another DR i know could do the surgery for me..only one small
prob im not sure my insurance will pay for another MMPI test since they r
like $400 lol..as for depression i have been on antidepressents for 8
months now and feelin wonderful..im not totally impatient i would wait it
out but unfortunately since i have been tryin to get the surgery and get
started back to work after that since rite now pysically its hard for me
and my wonderful mom has been supportin me and helpin me and i dont want to
burden her 4ever
— christine S.
October 25, 2002
These psych evaluations make me so angry! They are a great source of stress
for so many pre-ops! My surgeon said that he felt that we were being
insulted when we were asked to get a psych eval (my insurance required it,
not the doc.) To answer the first respondent, a MMPI is a Minnesota
Multiphasic Personality Inventory, a written test that is supposed to
indicate a person's personality traits. Now, back to my original gripe,
the ONLY thing that is usually required from a psych evaluation for WLS
surgery is a statement from a psychiatrist that the patient is
psychologically fit enough to 1) Understand and withstand the rigors of
surgery and recovery, 2) Assist in his/her safe recovery (ie: not pull out
tubes, etc...), 3) Not be addicted to drugs or alcohol, and 4)Understand
and follow the specific post-op regime (ie: special diet, necessity for
followup visits, etc...) PLEASE, ALL PRE-OPS, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND
WRITE YOUR OWN LETTER/PSYCH EVALUATION THAT COVERS THESE FOUR POINTS AND
HAVE A PSYCHIATRIST SIGN IT. You are spending too much time, money and
energy putting yourself through the unnecessary trauma of extensive
psychological testing pre-op.
— Rebecca T.
October 25, 2002
Well we can all say what we want, but I firmly believe the psych-eval
serves a purpose. As a post-op, I understand the emotional roller coaster
we go through to prepare for surgery and then again after surgery. If you
are not 100% able to handle that ride then you should wait. The
psychologist is trained to recognize any signs that may signal some
problems down the road. This surgery is a MAJOR change in your lifestyle
(and your family/friends) and I don't think many people realize that.
Tunnel vision effects us in that all we can see is losing the weight.
There is much more to be considered than that. Have some patience and
wait.
— Patty.W
October 26, 2002
You should speak to your surgeon and Primary Doc. Let them recommend a
psychiatrist or psychologist who is SUPPORTIVE of weight loss surgery. They
know how to write the letters and know what will fly with the insurance
company. Same for the nutritional evaluation. Good luck to you.
— Steve B.
October 26, 2002
Rebecca T. was right about what the Psychologist or Psychiatrist is looking
for as well as what the insurance company wants answers to. Mine said he
was just going to rule out irrational thinking and deviant behavior. I
talked to my Phych. for about an hour...come to find out we were the same
age and went to rival schools back in high school. Seems I might have
learned more about him than he did about me :) That 500 question test was a
bit much, made worse by the fact that all 500 answers were on the front of
one sheet of paper. My eyes got so screwy that I had to erase a few answers
because I'd get off in marking the right bubble. I hope he realized that
I'd just made a mistake and that I really hadn't changed my answer after
thinking about the question again because one of them was if I wished I
were the opposite sex...I mischecked and said "strongly agree" I
LOVE being a Girl...really I do. :)
— blank first name B.
October 26, 2002
It was for that exact reason, I asked my BTC to recommend a mental health
provider was familiar with Bariatric testing. I went to him this morning
and it was very comfortable and non stressful. Call your physician and ask
for a recommendation.
— Pat B.
October 27, 2002
I'm not clear on whether you were denied by your insurance or your surgeon.
If it's your insurance, I'd appeal it; as you said, most of us are
depressed because of our weight. If it's your surgeon, I'd find another
one. I've been on anti-depressants on and off all my life and I passed my
psych evaluation.
— Arlene S.
October 27, 2002
I recently had my evaluation and was very happy with my psychologist. I
also agree that you should have a Dr. that is familiar or associated with
WLS it does make a difference. My Psych. also enlightened me on emotional
turmoils I WILL go through post-op so that was an added benefit to having
him affiliated with WLS. He was very insightful on family issues lso so I
strongly suggest you speak with the center you are going through and have
them schedule an appt for you. Loving wishes....LISA
— Lisa M.
October 27, 2002
actually it was the psych who said i was too depressed and when i called
the nurse at my surgeons office she said i could get a second opinion but
they were most likely goin to take the psych's advice to make me wait
another 3 months
— christine S.
October 27, 2002
I am another Rebecca who is extremely bitter about these psych evaluations
- I think they are a crock! The first psych I went to denied me for the
surgery due to depression. (Duh. I weighed 250lbs.! Six months later I
now weigh 184 and am depressed no more, even though my mom died and I don't
have a boyfriend and blah blah blah). Anyway, luckily she read me the
letter she was going to fax to the ins. co (to hear her tell it, it's a
wonder I could function at all - she could garner that after 45 minutes
with me?!?), so I told her in no way shape or form to NOT send that letter
off. I then high tailed it to another psych recommended by my WLS and
"passed" with flying colors. Bottom line, if this psych's
evaluation has already gone to the ins. co, it's probably too late. Wait
another 3 months and then go to a WLS friendly psych. I wish you all the
best....
— rebeccamayhew
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