Question:
When you meet with a Psychiatrist for pre-op evaluation what goes on?
I'm curious as to what I should expect from my psych. evaluation. What sorts of questions do they ask? What takes place at the interview? I have no idea what to expect and any and all help with this question is greatly appreciated. — butterflygirl72 (posted on August 6, 2008)
August 5, 2008
In mine *it was over a year ago* they just wanted to get to the root of my
eating. They wanted to know my thoughts and expectations of the surgery.
They wanted to know about support in my life and also about the negative
comments people gave me. Just be honest. Mine never asked any thing direct
it was general ?'s to my life.
— bridgadean
August 5, 2008
My psych evaluation was about an hour and a half; I was completely honest;
even cried twice over recitations of past bad experiences (physical and
mental abuse by my father and post traumatic stress from a severe life
threatening injury and near death experience.) However, they were pleased
with my recovery from these things, my happy outlook, and I passed with
flying colors. They do not expect you to have a cheerful, perfect history;
just adequate coping and recovery skills and a support system - including
your doctors and family members. Relax, psychologists are people too!
— nofrogs29
August 5, 2008
Mine lasted for about 2 hours. I talked to the dr. for about 30 minutes,
then I took about 300 question test. The questions were like. Have you
every thought about committing suicide. or What are you gonna write in
your suicide letter. Then there was a IQ test. They were all easy, just
answer honest and you'll be fine.
— pugsley101
August 5, 2008
Hi Kari,
My visit lasted about 30 mins. I was asked why I wasnted surg. I gave my
reasons. He asked me if I was anxious and I sd yes. I was anxious Happy not
anxious scared. That was the end of my evauation. I had my surg 7/1/08.
Hope this helps to relax you . Just be yourself..relax. Julie
— tootsie52
August 6, 2008
My Psychologist denied my request for surgery after our first meeting. She
decided that I still had too much depression to deal with the surgery. I
was SO MAD at her. She had asked me how often I focused on my weight and I
said every minute of my life. This is why she decided I needed to take
anti-depressants for a few weeks before she would recommend the surgery.
Just remember when your answering all those questions that you base your
answers on how you feel today. I based some of my answers as if they were
asking "have you ever felt this or that"? My Psychologist also
asked a lot of questions about the surgery to see how well I understood the
entire procedure. Luckily I had done plenty of research and was able to
answer all those questions easily. Good luck!
— AprilJM
August 6, 2008
The shrink wants to make sure that the decision you are making about
surgery will not be one that you regret.
My shrink asked why I was looking to get this surgery. I said that my
surgery was another tool to use in weight loss and not the complete
solution. Also I'm tired of dragging my fat a** around with me everywhere
I go. He was speachless. He recommended me for the procedure right
away.
Best of luck and don't be afraid of shrinks. They put their pants on one
leg at a time, they just have a tougher time deciding which leg goes
first.
Mary-Anne
— mannecote
August 6, 2008
Hi...I just had my psych eval on 7/31...first test was 567 questions (all T
or F)...and then another test with 60+ questions (multiple
"guess")...you had to color in the little circle (remember those
from Jr. High)...I was seeing spots when I left that room ;-))
After the testing I went and spent about 30 mins. talking to the
"Dr."...the whole app't lasted 2 hours...they just wanna make
sure you fully understand what it is you're planning to do...that this is a
"tool" to be used for the rest of your life and not just a
"quick fix". Just answer everything truthfully ~ you'll be fine
!!
Have a great day !!
— debz_58
August 6, 2008
My psych eval was actually 5 hours long - but the biggest part of that time
I was doing the personality tests on a computer - questions like 'Your boss
gives your coworker a promotion when you really should have been the one to
get it. How do you react? - A) shoot the boss, B) quit, C) call in sick
for a week because you're too depressed to work, or D) make an appointment
to talk to him to politely ask why' - really general personality tests -
but then, how you handle 'life' is going to impact your experience as you
do the weight loss. He also did an IQ test which was fun and I can see the
purpose behind it - there are a lot of changes and you need to be
intelligent enough to understand what's going on - not brilliant, just
smarter than a fifth grader (or at least able to think and reason). He and
I only talked for maybe an hour - talked about why I wanted to do the
surgery, about what I expected to get out of it - and DEFINITELY talked
about my support system. Was an enjoyable (even though it was long)
appointment. Just relax and you'll do fine.
— Rev217
August 7, 2008
I had mine about 2 months ago in preparation for RNY. I filled out this
modified MMPI test and talked to my doctor, then pretty much left. She got
the results in a week and I went back. We talked about support systems,
like family and friends. It was very much like talking to my sister for me.
The doctor forwarded on my MMPI results to my surgeon's office and that was
it. She said I'd still have follow up appointments to see how I was doing
after surgery, but it was pretty easy.
I'm still pre-op, good luck!
Jat
— Jean Ann T.
August 7, 2008
To tell you the truth, I was a bit nervous about this. Probably has a lot
to do with me being a counselor and I know what kind of people I refer for
psych evals! Anyway, it was actually not scary at all. They just want to
understand that you realize what you are getting into and that you
understand that this is a life decision that will change a lot of things.
There was no formal "testing" involved it was more like a
conversation with you about changes that need to happen. Don't be
scared...just do it!
— joi-joy
August 7, 2008
Hi Kari, When I went for my psych eval they just want to make sure you're
able to understand what your surgery involves, they ask you if you
understand that you won't be able to eat they way you're use to ever again,
that you won't be able to have sweets or carbonated drinks etc., that if
you don't follow doctors guidlines that you can and will gain your weight
back, they basically want to make sure you know what you're doing and that
you are emotionally ready for this type of major surgery. I hope this
helps you. Good luck as you start your Journey to a new life of health and
happiness...Mel~Lovin my DS switched 9/05/07 sw289/gw165/cw198
— purpleangel0909
August 7, 2008
My experience was somewhat different. The first question she asked was
"How was your childhood?" Well the tears started pouring, and
that pretty much told her that I had issues that needed to be worked out,
she referred me to a social worker.
After 5 visits he released me for surgery, I'm still going to counseling,
learning to deal with emotional eating. All in all it hasn't been too bad,
as a matter of fact, I sort of enjoy going, and I'm feeling less depressed
and more hopeful. My advice is to just be yourself, you'll have to fill out
a questionaire of some type, so you can't fool them anyway! Good Luck &
God Bless! Kathie
— KathieV
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