Question:
A Year of Counseling Prior?

Has anyone heard of having to have a year of counseling prior to your surgery? My aunt knows someone who had the surgery and I guess she had to, and I was just wondering since she lives near me and there aren't that many doctors. I was curious if it was the surgeon, or the insurance that required it? I have MVP insurance and have chosen Dr. T. Paul Singh at Albany Med. I just don't want to have to wait another year for my life to begin!!    — Kimberly M. (posted on November 13, 2000)

November 13, 2000
I don't think a year of counseling is standard practice at all. At most, some surgeons may require a psych consult (mine didn't). It may be that the person's surgeon felt that, in this particular case, the person may have had some serious, underlying problems that needed to be addressed prior to surgery. I would think this would be the exception rather than the rule.
   — Gina E.

January 21, 2001
A Psych evaluation is part and parcel to being approved for the surgery. This is typically required by the surgeon in order to rule out candidates who are unlikely to be successful in following up with the new life style. In evaluating different surgeons, it has come to my attention that they are not consistent in how extensive that evaluation must be. In fact, some will accept the word of the Primary Care Physician that further psych. evaluation is not indicated and the matter ends. Another surgeon I checked out, is affiliated with a major medical school. He has the candidate for WLS evaluated for a minimum of one hour with a PhD or MSW from the school. In cases where the patient is already in private therapy, they have the private therapist consult with the PhD or MSW but they STILL do the on-site evaluation. I think that with conservative screening, it is conceivable that the PhD or MSW would make stipulations that the candidate for WLS is mandated to go through a pre-determined amount of counseling prior to being re-considered for surgery.
   — gobo T.

February 11, 2001
I didn't have to have the year counseling. I don't know why that woman did, but Dr. Singh doesn't require it. MVP is the one that requires the nutrition,endocrinology and psych consult. I am now in the pre-diet phase to lose the 10%, and then can hopefully schedule the surgery. Thank you for all of your answers.
   — Kimberly M.

May 9, 2001
My insurance co required me to have a psych eval. The reason given was to be certain I didn't have any eating disorders. I was also required to undergo 6 mo's dietary evaluation, all this before I even get my referall to the surgical center. Your mileage may vary.
   — Joe G.

June 22, 2001
I was trying to have my surgery at OSU....I had to meet with their "behaviorist" pre-op.....everyone does. I was sent to counseling based, I guess, on my answers....come to find out, the counselor felt I had a "binge eating" disorder....my response to him, when I called to complain, was that ALL FAT people binge, if we didn't, we wouldn't be in the shape we're in...LOL..anyway, I'm still in "counseling", it's been over a year, and OSU STILL won't do the surgery yet, I'm looking at other places to have this done....My advice would be....if you have to have a psych eval....be VERY SELECTIVE with your answers....the wrong answers will land you in the counselor's chair and the surgery will be put off for a LONG time, IF they do it at all..
   — [Anonymous]