Question:
Thank you for all advice...about my psych exam gone bad..

the doctor that i saw is someone that is part of the Bariatric Program at the University of Penn Hospital.... can I still go to another dr.... i am trying to stay positive but it is soo discouraging... i finished all the other tests this week and everything was a go.... this guy wants to delay me for 3 months... 3 whole months... I know it doesnt sound long but it feels like a lifetime.. then what if he decides at the end of the 3 months that I am still depressed... I mean depression is kind of normal in overweight people isn't it... i mean i am not sucidal or anything like that... I called my primary and he was surprised @ the outcome... I had a pre op eval w/. my primary this morning and he told me to relax about the psych exam..."we both know you will pass that"..... I don't understand how a person who spent 10 minutes with me is now the one holding up this whole process...    — wendy-s (posted on February 25, 2009)

February 25, 2009
I'm sorry that it went so badly for you. Is there a way for to contact your surgeon and have you recommend a new doctor? I would hate to see you lose more time.
   — Kathleen W.

February 25, 2009
You absolutely can find another doctor if you're not comfortable with this one. I know from experience that the test they put you through has to be all taken within a yr of surgery. If you go any longer than that then they will require you to take them again. Not to mention the time you are going to be waiting on your insurance company to make their decision on coverage. Don't forget you can even get all of your records from the doctor you have now including any and all tests you've done such as the psych,nutrition etc. You just need to keep in mind that you are a beautiful person inside and out and make this decision you've made top priority and it will make you a happier person knowing you are going to be a healthy and lively individual.
   — LifeisWonderful

February 25, 2009
I had a rather bizarre experience with my psyche eval as well. I had to have two visits...at the first, the guy asked a lot of questions and then would randomly interject (in a loud tense voice)why I thought this would work when nothing else had. And what I thought would happen when the "honeymoon period" with weight loss was over...that I would probably just regain all that I had loss. I was in shock, but I held it together when he told me that I was going to have to come back in two weeks time so that he could finish the eval up....I have to tell you, I was battered and didn't want to go back more than anything. I don't think a person on Earth should have been treated like I was....cruel, it was...Well I knew that I needed to go back because the truth is that I would have had to travel a couple hundred miles to find another Doc. I went back and spent another hour with the guy, who stayed calm and appropriate the whole time and asked me general questions in a calm appropriate manner. Truthfully, I feel he was seeing my reaction to stress (of course I went home and cried and ate...but he didn't see that). My report from him was that I was a good candidate for surgery, well adjusted, and that I have mild short term memory issues....Under stress....duh??? Well, I took it all with humor and had surgery 6 months later...quite a back log in my area. It's been over 4 years since my surgery and I am maintaining a weight loss of 110 pounds. I could still stand to lose 30 pounds...probably won't happen, but I'm oh so healthy and happy with the results. I also had abdominoplasty 2 years out to remove a lot of skin. It's all been great...Just wish I could get out of this perimenopause thing now. Be patient....it might be a trial sort of thing the doc is doing...
   — AlleeM

February 25, 2009
I definitely think you should get a second opinion. It doesn't sound like this person spent enough time with you to really get a full assessment. I am having my surgery done by the Temple University Bariatric Center. They have doctors on staff there that do the psych eval but I think they also do non-Temple patients. I really liked the doctor who did my eval (Dr. Combs), there is also another doctor there (Napolitano) who I heard was really good for psych evals. So, you might want to check them out for second opinions. The other thing to know is that if the doctor thinks you haven't been out of a severely depressed state for more than 6 months to a year (depending on the doctor), then they might deny that you are fit for the surgery. This is partly because the surgery can cause depression in people who have not previously had depression, so they are concerned about approving the patient for surgery if they have recent "unstable" depression. I just bring this up to give you a fuller picture of why the doc might have said no or why you're second opinion might say no. Good luck!
   — ads2e

February 26, 2009
Be careful about throwing the word "depressed" around. There is a difference between being depressed and having the blues (which is what most people suffer from). If you think you are simply "blue" and not clinically depressed, call the psychologist back for another appointment.
   — Muggs

February 26, 2009
You know, no one else has mentioned this, but I'm thinking that a psychologist who is part of a bariatric program shouldn't be criticizing a surgeon who belongs to the same program. I'm thinking you should contact your surgeon's office to request another psychologist, and maybe mention to them they have a potential problem with the guy you saw! Just my opinion....
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 26, 2009
3 months is not so long if it helps you out in the long run. Your psychologist is trained in the bariatric program, he has seen many patients with weight issues. Trust him, that's why he has the degree, 3 months is not that bad, I was in the same situation, I needed that counseling, I got it and it has helped me cope with my emotional problems. You will be doing yourself a favor if you just go and get the help you need, believe me, you will not regret going to counseling. May God Bless You Abundantly, Kathie
   — KathieV