Question:
Do all physc. appts. include answering a 100+ questions? Are they all different?

   — Betty M. (posted on April 24, 2001)

April 24, 2001
They are all different. I never had to do this.
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 24, 2001
Everyone seems to be different. I met with mine for about 1 hr and she mostly asked me about my family, what were their occupations,and how I go along with them. All the way back to great grandparents that I never met. Then at the end she said that she would recommend me for the surgery. It is a mystery to me.
   — Sue B.

April 24, 2001
I had three visits with a psychologist and had to answer almost 700 questions. He used two standardized tests, the MMPI and another one that measured my understanding of and satisfaction with the health care system in general. I also answered 12 questions dealing with depression and several more on what he called a 'happiness' scale or life satisfaction scale. It was tedious and time consuming and expensive but not scary. The surgeon required it, so I did it. Hope this helps.
   — Julia O.

April 24, 2001
My Psych Eval lasted over 2 hours. It included the 100+ questions that you were asking about. I found it very strange, but I suppose it's necessary. It all turned out ok and I'm sure yours will too. Good Luck!
   — jewelf1

April 24, 2001
I had 2 different psych. exams(changed to diff. program)and both were "interview" style. I didn't have any kind of written questions to answer. I was asked about if I knew "why" I used food the way I did, what things I've tried,how do I feel about my weight, do I understand the long term effects/commitment to this surgery etc....
   — Linda M.

April 24, 2001
I had to take the 500 question MMPI, which i thought was ridiculous- "are you afraid of fire?" but let me tell you, the therapist read a paragraph of what people who answer like I do are like - and it was me to and EXACT "T". I mean I want a copy of it to show to my mom exact. I worked for a psychologist years ago and didn't realize it was for anything more than finding out if you are malingering (a liar) or depressed or have other psych issues that could be damaging. now I know- I don't know how, but it was right on. I took the test where you fill in the dots, then 2 weeks went back for the short interview. Maybe it would have been longer if I had issues, but it wasn't bad at all. Good luck!
   — M. A. B.

April 24, 2001
I had to take the 100 question test too, didn't mind doing it but I do mind that their whole psych. assessment was a joke, in my opinion. I told the surgeon and coordinator about my long term therapy with my psychiatrit that I have been going to for 12 years. This man helped me get into recovery for my alcoholism and I now have 10+ years of sobriety. He also helped me deal with all of the fallout from many years of childhood sexual abuse. And he and I have worked in partnership with my medications for chronic depression, I am a 100% compliant patient in taking my meds. This man knows all there is to know about me and we spent many hours discussing whether or not I should have the surgery. Why couldn't they take his report and release instead of sending me to a stranger who will determine my psychological viability for surgery based on a 35 min. interview and then taking a 100 question test, that they won't even give me the results of? Then the surgeon's team tells me they won't approve me for surgery until my psychiatrist sends them a letter telling them he agrees and supports my decision to have the surgery and that he will continue to work with me and monitor my anti-depressants following the surgery. So why the hell did I have to spend $175 out of my pocket to see their therapist when my psychiatrist ended up having to be the one to sign off on my psychological well-being anyway? It was a pretty ineffective way of determining my sanity by having me spend 35 minutes with someone who knows nothing about me versus someone who knows it all. Anyway, in my case it was a really dumb part of the process and a big waste of my time and money. And yes, I do feel a bit resentful about it.
   — ALF