Question:
psychological evaluation

I JUST GOT MY PSHCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION IN THE MAIL AND AT THE END OF IT THE DOCTOR WROTE I DO NOT SEE ANY MENTA; HEALTH ISSUES WHICH WOULD DISQUALIFY THIS EXAMINEE FROM WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY AND IN THE NEXT PARAGRAPH HE WROTE THIS PATIENT WILL NEED TO COMMIT TO AND PARTICIPATE IN A MINIMUM OF 12 INDIVIDUAL THERAPY SESSIONS PROIR TO HER SURGERY AND A MINIMUM OF 12 INDIVIDUAL THERAPY SESSIONS AT A RATE OF NOT LESS THEN ONE SESSION PER MONTH FOR NOT LESS THEN 12 MONTH POST SURGICAL..... MY QUESTION IS DOES THIS MEAN I HAVE TO SEE HIM FOR A YEAR PRIOR TO SURGERY??? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP!!!    — sl1pp1nghalo (posted on February 24, 2009)

February 24, 2009
I wouldn't assume it means a year prior to surgery. It says a minimum of 12 sessions prior to surgery. If that was one a week, it'd be three months...two a week, and it'd only be six weeks. Certainly call and verify that with either the psych evaluator or your surgeon (whoever on his surgical team that you can call with questions), but I think the confusion here is just that the dr wasn't clear on the timing of the pre-op appts. I think that the reason the dr says that post op it will be a year is that you go through a great deal of change that first year and the dr wants to be sure you have good support while going through that. So, post-op you have to go a minimum of 12 times, and a minimum of once a month, and a minimum of a year. I take that to mean that if you want to go twice a month, you still have to go for a full year so that'd be a total of 24 visits, for example. Don't panic. Call and clarify this. I'd be surprised that the dr would pass you on your psych eval but then say you have to wait a year because you need a year of therapy first.
   — rachieo

February 24, 2009
NOT having mental health issues shouldn't disqualify you for surgery...thats rediculous!! If I were you I would get a second opinion. I just had my psych evaluation a few weeks ago- and she told me I passed with flying colors, wished me luck and told me to call her if I have any issues post-op. That's it! Sounds to me like a shady doc trying to make an extra buck...
   — jtaormina

February 24, 2009
My dooc has everyone that is going through this major change in their lives "establish a relationship" with a licensed mental health provider prior to surgery so that if we have any emotional eating issues (or any others for that matter) we have a good source to help us deal wiht emotional hunger after the surgery. When we can't eat to self-medicate - and many people who are morbidly obese do - lots of issues surface and my doc feels that seeing someone before and after the surgery is y our best way to set yourself up to succeed. After all, the surgery is the easy part of this journey - losing the weight healthfully and keeping it off are the real challenge. That being said, my doc only required 3-4 visits prior to surgery which I completed in once per week installmants so it went very quickly. Don't be discouraged - this is for your benefit.
   — stellarsan

February 24, 2009
It sounds like he/she wants to see you a minimum of a month. You should start posting and finding out if required therapy sessions are normal. I didn't have to go to required therapy sessions. I have been diagnosed with major depression.
   — Corina C

February 25, 2009
I wouldn't presume that this psychologist is a "quack". I think he/she is just trying to be concerned. After WLS many people replace compulsive eating with a different compulsive behavior(gambling, shopping, alcohol, etc) and this psych probably just wants to make sure you don't fall into that category.
   — Muggs

February 25, 2009
His recommendation seems to contridict itself. I would call and ask him for a more detailed explaination. Then if your still do not agree with what he has recommended, ask your surgeon or your regular doctor to recommend you to another pschologist and talk with them before you get to upset. 12 visits doesn't necessarily mean 12 months, and it has been nice having a person to discuss all my health issues with who's not part of my regular 'care team' of doctors. I had some issues because of the care I received (or better yet didn't receive) at the hospital and having my regular monthly visits with my psychologist helped me through the frustration that it caused as well as helping me recover faster....your mental attitude really makes a difference on how fast you can recover your health as well as how well you 'lose' weight.
   — angelvh2

February 25, 2009
It sounds like you need to see SOMEONE but you probably aren't limited to the doctor who did the evaluation. Good luck.
   — mrsidknee