Question:
What type of Psych Evaluation is needed for clearance?
I'm preparing for WLS and need to have a psych eval clearance. I went to a psychiatrist yesterday and she said she normally likes to meet with clients at least 8 times before giving clearance. A friend said she went once for 90 minutes and received clearance. Is this possible and what do you suggest? — franks310 (posted on July 4, 2008)
July 4, 2008
My surgeon requires at least one session with a PSYCHOLOGIST (although I
don't really know the difference between psychiatrists and psychologists).
I spent about 30-45 minutes speaking with him about life in general and how
surgery is a life style change and not a quick fix. After our talk, he
had me take two different "tests" that are used to help determine
someones state of mind and personality traits/disorders.
— JodieBlonde
July 4, 2008
See another psychiatrist just ONCE. Paying for a total of two visits is
better than eight!
— Toni Todd
July 4, 2008
One eval should be enough. I only had one visit, and the doc sent a fax to
my surgeon. I bet you'll have extra fees to pay for 8 visits, so I'd try to
find another psychaitrist eval that can be done in one visit. DAVE
— Dave Chambers
July 4, 2008
Eight?! Sounds like a lucrative set-up for somebody. My surgeon only
required one, and he's ranked as the best in the nation for WLS. My
appointment took about 90 minutes, and frankly, the first 30 minutes were
gone before the psychologist realized he was reading the wrong person's
file! I still passed. I think they're just trying to determine if: a)
you're doing the surgery because YOU want to, not because somebody else is
pressuring you; b) that you're not suicidal and will be able to deal with
the abrupt change in behavior and possible spots of depression that
sometimes follows WLS; and c) you're committed to the program to make it
work. I'd go somewhere else if I were you as eight appointments is
unnecessary for the surgery, unless you really could benefit from the help
in its own right.
— suezahn4me
July 4, 2008
I only had to do one visit. I had 8 approved follow ups if I needed them
after the surgery but only one before. I would find another psychiatrist.
Good luck.
— Kelly W.
July 4, 2008
Frank - In January I started to prepare for WLS and had 1 psych eval. I
filled out an extensive evaluation before my first appointment. I would
suggest checking with your surgeon to see if they have a list of therapist
they can recommend. That is where I found my therapist. She did my psych
eval and I now see her on regular basis. Best of luck!
— MOM2ADAM
July 4, 2008
i waited longer in the psyche doctors office to see him than i did actually
talking to him. It depends on the doctor but if it was me, i would check
out another doctor. There really is no reason that you need to go 8 times
unless that is what your insurance wants.
— jan0859
July 4, 2008
I did my eval last week. It wasn't that bad. We talked for about 30
minutes, then I took a 300 question test. It was easy just silly questions
like have you ever thought about suicide. I would answer no. Then about 10
questions later they would ask have you decided what your gonna write in
your suicide letter.(well no, since I've never considered suicide. They
are trying to slip you up. But it was a breeze.
— pugsley101
July 4, 2008
I when once for 4 hours, took a test and then discussed the results or the
things they found out about me. They suggested that I focus on the support
groups, and they sent the report to my doctor. I paid $500.00 for that
visit. That was the only one until I went back for depression following
surgery. They chaged $125.00 that time to my insurance and I paid $40.00
and they gave me a perscription for 1/2 lexapro a day for 6 months. Hope
this helps, best of success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
July 4, 2008
Neither my PCP nor my surgeon required a psych eval. for which i was very
thankful. Every doc is different. You may want to challenge the need for
this eval.
laura
— waterlover
July 4, 2008
The person u went to is a scam everyone i went once maybe twice but 8 they
just want your money go elsewhere .
— phatkatz
July 4, 2008
What matters is what your insurance company requires, and I doubt it's 8.
Check with them, sounds like a money-making scheme to me... I had to go
only once, for about 20 minutes.
— Gina S.
July 4, 2008
One appointment for about 1/2 hour and answer all the question with much
honesty. It will make your recovery go along much better. Best of luck in
your healthier life.
— usfour
July 4, 2008
Both my mom and I only went once and that was to two different providers
and year apart. I would call around and get someone else. Good luck.
— hannahsmom1014
July 4, 2008
I agree with everyone who says you need to find a different psychologist.
Just make sure that you know what is required by your insurance AND your
surgeon, because they might have different requirements. My surgeon and my
insurance only required one session, and my insurance paid for half of it.
The psychologist I saw recommended additional pre- and post-op counseling
for me, but cleared me for surgery. I have since begun to see a therapist
on my own, but moreso to deal with other issues in my life. And it just so
happens that my therapist does WLS evaluations! Odd but happy coincidence!
So if issues should arise regarding my surgery and the subsequent changes
in my life, I have a therapist who already knows how to deal with it. That
is very comforting to me.
— lauren_marie
July 4, 2008
I only went twice, First time to do the 300 question elevation and the next
time to talk with the Dr.. I would Run if i were you....Just wants more
money I am sure..
— Hlfpint40
July 4, 2008
I went once for 15 minutes and was cleared I think the psyc is taking you
through the cleaners
— humper
July 4, 2008
That is just over kill.No wonder our ins co will not pay.
— stanwalker
July 4, 2008
I had one visit for 90 minutes before surgery.
Eight visits seems kind of much and expensive too!
Best of luck
— Lynnmon
July 5, 2008
Frank, I would discuss this with your psych person you spoke to, and tell
them that you would be glad to visit with them 8 times, but want your
clearance now unless they have reason to suspect that you might not get
their support. If there is valid reason for the delay, then just submit to
it, and deal with the issues that trouble them, but if you have support and
doing what you are supposed to, etc., then challenge their process as
unreasonible compared to others, and let them know you will "jump
through their hoops" to prove you are stable and ready for the
surgery, but want your clearance now so you can move on to the other issues
you have to clear before surgery. Then, keep your word, go to every visit,
and get some real help perhaps to use as you face the surgery. Counseling
is a vital aspect of wls. Many people skip support group and skip support,
and they fail miserably after surgery. Grab all the support you can get,
and listen closely, it helps. Take care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
July 5, 2008
Hey Frank
Are you using one you selected or are you using the one suggested by the
surgeon. Most surgeons have a list that they do business with and it's
usually a one time visit and you take a psych-evaluation test. My visit
was once for almost 2 hours. I believe I spent 45-60 minutes with her and
then she had me complete 2 psych evaluation tests.
— the7thdean
July 5, 2008
Here is a question that came in the same posting as yours. ===== *Subject:
Can't quit eating* I am on the 6 month diet that my insurance requires. I
can't quit eating. Its like I know in a few months I will never get to eat
again and I am freaking out, I just eat and eat, what can I do. I'm suppose
to go back to Dr. next week and I ain't lost a pound. ===== How would YOU
like to be in THAT fix AFTER surgery? The purpose of a psych evaluation is
to determine whether you will have a high (or low) probability of success
with weight loss AFTER surgery. In my humble opinion, an adequate
evaluation can NOT be made with just one or two trips to a psychologist or
psychiatrist. What is the point of going through the expense, risk, and
pain of major surgery if you have a high probability of getting back into
the "Can't quit eating" state even before your scars have fully
healed? Believe me, THIS HAPPENS! All you have to do is read the sad
stories of people who post to this OH site. My advice to you is that the
time and money you will spend for eight visits to a competent, impartial
psychologist is well worth the price.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 5, 2008
Here is a question from someone else who posted in the same message that
contained your question: ===== Subject: I don't know where to start.
I had RNY 6 years ago. I had lost about 110 lbs and have since gained back
about
65 lbs. My surgeon no longer deals with this surgery. Should I try to get
a revision? ===== Do YOU want to find yourself in thay AFTER surgery? The
purpose of the psych evaluation is to determine the probability of long
term success AFTER surgery. Please do NOT opt for the 1-visit psych
evaluation. In my opinion, it's worse than worthless and it's a SHAM!
— [Deactivated Member]
July 5, 2008
Melissa had 1 required visit with the Psychologist and that was it. The
idea of eight visits to a psychiatrist is very quesionale, but may be wat
your doctor requires, check with the first 8 visits can be very very
costly. As fo clarification on the Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist issue.
Best of luck
— Ira Sansolo
July 6, 2008
What I've learned from talking to other WL patients and my own experience,
is there is about as much diversity with psych evals as there is with the
pre-op diets. It seems no two surgeons or no two psychologists are the same
on what they recomend. There is no correct answer. If your doctor has
someone else he will approve for you to see, then you may go that route.
Maybe you'll be cleared after the first visit.
— corky1057
July 7, 2008
8 visits PRIOR to surgery and/or approval? I agree that we do need to
focus on the emotional aspects of obesity and have to do the emotional work
every day for the rest of our lives. One of the many reasons I became a
Certified Bariatric Life Coach and a Certified Life Coach. Seeing someone
in the psych department or a life coach is not a bad thing to do in the
long run, but you really should only need 1 visit for the approval.
Mine took about 15 minutes, my surgeon wanted to know 2 things from the
psyciatrist- (1) do I have an actual eating disorder? (2) do I have any
psychiatric diseases? I actually saw an LMHC.
One visit really is the norm, NOT the exception.
Good luck to you,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
July 7, 2008
I sas my psych two weeks ago. I sat with him for an hour talking about
many different things then I was sent to another room to take an 800
true/false question test. Last Monday I went back for the results of my
test. I was told that I passed, and although I didnt need any further
counseling, I did need to have my anti-depressant jacked up some. He also
told me that he will back my surgery 150%. Are you a depressed person to
begin with? If so, I could see having to go more than once. I was real
scared that I would have to go more prior to surgery, but was told only to
increase my meds and if I needed to speak with someone, I could do so at
any time either prior to or after surgery. It surely wont hurt you. I
have a lot of anxiety and fear over this surgery, because I absolutely need
it, not just because I am a few pounds overweight. So talking to someone
would do me a great amount of good if I need it. I was offered it, but not
a mandatory thing. Your doc maybe feels that you need more counseling.
Could that be the case? Dont know if any of this helps you out or not, it
is only my perspective of what I just went through during the last two
weeks of my appointments. Best of luck to you! :)
— bicngillette
July 8, 2008
At the Bariatric Center (a Center of Excellence) that I went thru, the
pysch evaluation is part of the entire process, and they have a pysch on
staff. There was only one very short appointment with him - and no co-pay.
If you aren't having your surgery thru a Center of Excellence, I would
find one nearby and switch to that.
— Monte57
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