Question:
Anyone been denied due to psych recommendation?

Psych my surgeon sent me too wants me to go another 6 months of therapy for my tendencies toward anxiety and possible binging. All do to the results of those stupid MMPI tests!!!    — tclaudette (posted on April 13, 2006)

April 13, 2006
Having the right attitude, and mind set is very important for WLS. People who are depressed before surgery, often get more despressed after surgery. Don't let this get you down, just follow there requirements
   — Steve Cohen

April 13, 2006
Did your surgeon recommend this SPECIFIC psych doc? Surgeons tend to refer patients to WLS supportve psych docs. are you seriously depressed, its important to be well medicated before wls so depression is controlled.
   — bob-haller

April 13, 2006
Hi Tori! I did and had to go through the 6 months of therapy. All because I put on my MMPI test that sometimes I eat so fast that I get over full... What it doesn't allow you to say is that I ate to fast because my kids are needing me to do something other than eat!!! Anyway when I saw the therapist he made sure it wasn't something that I did all the time and just to make sure I am aware in the future that I will HAVE to take time to eat. I know it's a pain, but it will be over before you know it!
   — kimmy

April 13, 2006
Hi Tori!!!! You are not alone. Relax! Go to the extra sessions. They are very helpful. Your team wants you to succeed in your weight loss. The more you are emotionally and psycholically prepared the more success you will have now and in the future of your weight loss journey. The luck of my draw with the psychological evaluation was the person who designed that MMPI test. I am stuck in the evaluation stage-- but learning alot about myself--physically, emotionally, and physchologically.
   — Julie F.

April 14, 2006
Hi!! I am continuing to see the therapist that gave me my psych eval just because I think it is a good idea--I don't have to see her to get an okay for surgery. I had been reading the boards for a few days prior to getting my psych eval done. I figured because this is a really big deal--I should have some help along the way. If nothing else than for clarity--the therapist agreed with me when I asked her what she thought about my continuing to see her. I have seen her several times--I am still pre-op. I think that it really helps--I can put things into perspective and talk out my fears. She tells me I am psychologically healthy and ready to proceed but we still talk. I also just relocated to this state--leaving all my friends and family behind so I really thought seeing someone would be good. Take Care, Mary
   — yakypakrat

April 14, 2006
I* agree, the MMPI test is stupid. the questions do not specify whether things were years ago, or once, or never. I got disqualified by the first psych, saying I needed extended therapy, asked to go to another and he said I should go on a supervised diet and exercise plan! Duh! I had tried to explain to my pcp what I wanted and I wasted 9 mos that counted for nothing, because when they submitted it, they didn't include what behavioral changes he recommended or my monthly weigh-ins. I changed insurance, doctors and took another MMPI test in IL, the others were in IN. The one I took last had answers which were much easier to answer, as it had 3 different answers, such as never, always, sometimes. Because if you truthfully answer questions that you might of thought of 20 years ago, it doesn't apply to today when you are much more mature. there is no way to prepare for the MMPI. They want to screw you up.
   — geneswife

April 14, 2006
I was denied surgery from their Psych because of my depression and anxiety. I'm on medications and see a psych monthly. My surgeon said if my personal Psych sent them a letter stating that he felt I was ready for surgery they would OK me for surgery. I had surgery in October of 2005 and doing great.
   — hawaiigirl

April 14, 2006
I wasn't denied, but it put me through undue anxiety for awhile. (See my profile) I felt the test was ridiculous, because in being honest, I admitted to my pain of arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine...etc. Guess I shouldn't have done that. They "labeled" me as a hypochondriac. If a cancer patient had answered the same thing it would have come out the same. There is no gauge to measure real pain, so it all must be psychosomatic! In being totally honest, the guy that read my test also stated that I was trying to "look" better than I actually was. Just because I didn't drink, didn't smoke and had high morals...I wasn't believed. Oh well. Finally, when I got to see my surgeon, I just knew I would be denied based on all of that. My surgeon laughed and said...even if all that WERE true, it would make me the ideal patient, because hypochondriacs take better care of themselves anyway! How funny. Also, the so called shrink wanted me to come back...of course he did....he probably needed to make a payment on his Lamborghini! He was actually unaware that I WAS in therapy, with a doc in the practice he worked for, and that I HAD been in therapy at that time for 12 years, and I was as good as I was gonna get without my WLS! I took great pleasure in staring him down in the office when he'd walk by, when I was 150 lbs thinner! I'm sure he didn't even remember who I was...but it gave me some sort of perverse pleasure. It seemed to make him very nervous! One time he dropped all his papers that he was carrying, and I easily bent down and picked them up for him...there! Once upon a time, I wouldn't have been able to do that! Anyway...I think that test is as crazy as whoever it was that designed it. It sure doesn't allow for extenuating circumstances. Regards~ The Hypochondriac!
   — Statuesque