Question:
DO ALL DOCTORS REQUIRE PSYCH EVALS TO PERFORM SURGERIES?

MY HMO HAS SENT ME TO TWO SURGEONS...WHERE THE SURGEONS SAY THEY WILL DO THE SURGERY, SINCE I NEED IT.......THE ONE PSYCH SAID I DIDNT HAVE ANY LIMITING ABILITY TO ADHERE TO THE LIFESTYLE CHANGE, THE OTHER PSYCH SAID HE DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE IN STATING THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, AND THUS WANTED ME TO SIGN UP FOR COUNSELING, AND THEN COME SEE HIM AGAIN..........PLEASE HELP---ANYONE WITH EXPERIENCE WITH THIS......    — [Anonymous] (posted on August 10, 1999)

August 10, 1999
I had my surgery done in woodbridge va and I was not required to be evaluated by anyone but the referring Dr and to see a dietitician (however you spell it)
   — Dawn S.

August 10, 1999
I didn't have to have one. Regards, Diane Price-Nizza, RN- Brooksville, Florida Empire BCBS Lap RNY 4-9-99 Dr. Champion - Atlanta Beginning weight - 310 BMI 55.0 Pre-op weight - 5' 4" 263 BMI 46.7 Currently 214 BMI 36.8 41% of Excess Weight Lost (\O/) / \
   — Diane N.

August 11, 1999
Not all surgeons require you to have a psychological exam. In fact mine did not. Sometimes this is based on the surgeon's assesment of your ability to cope with the new lifestyle and eating habits. I think also that it depends alot on your insurance. Some companies require it even if your surgeon does not. I was given a 200-300 rand question survey to fill out. It asked all sorts of things like how I dealt with stress,new jobs, new surroundings. Also questions about how I feel my health has changed in the past year,how I feel able to cope/or not cope with these changes. Also how I think I will change emotionally after WLS. All of these things were very interesting. They really made me think alot before my decision visit. I hoope this is at least a small amount of help. Good luck in your WLS journey........
   — Cissy C.