Question:
What exactly are they looking for? What things are wise to avoid talking about?
— Diane H. (posted on May 11, 2002)
May 11, 2002
Don't worry about the psych eval. They are really looking to make sure
that you know what you are getting into and that you will be able to follow
the post-op regimen. The most important thing is to be honest with
whatever questions they ask, but let the doctor lead the conversation.
— garw
May 11, 2002
Hello,
There are only a few things to really really not do...dont imply this is a
miracle cure, it is a tool to help you...dont talk about being skinny and
finding a man,,or wearing a tiny bikini,,,your using this tool to get
HEALTHY!! let them know you understand this is major life changing
surgery,,,,not just a quickie fix,,It gonna be painful,,pukiy yukky and
no walk in the park,,but you NEED the help and are ready to use any and
all help this tool can give you...if they ask what your expecting to weigh
tell them what ever you can realisticly achieve following drs orders
its not a number your after but health and life hope this helps
oxoxoxo bbd Oh and if they ask if your nuts just tell them of course
your certifyable lol just kidding!! ALSO dont be afraid to admit
depression if you suffer from it its very normal and common with being
obese who WOULDNT be depressed being like this right????
— BBD
May 11, 2002
the doc who did my psych eval also runs our support group. He says that one
thing he's looking for (in addition to the other wonderful suggestions
here) is to determine how much support you have available to you and how
willing you are to access that support. If there is a support group near
you, your committment to being a part of that group is a good thing. I
wish you well. My doc says that it's not a 'pass' or 'fail' but that
occasionally, he will put someone on a hold status if he feels that there
are significant underlying issues that haven't been dealt with. A history
of substance abuse or sexual abuse is NOT an automatic hold status. They
understand that life is a rocky road, what they are looking for is coping
skills and support and realistic expectations.
— Sharon L.
May 12, 2002
After a bad experience with my first psychiatrist (who wrote a letter
denying me the WLS), I feel compelled to offer this advice: Do not tell
the psych everything! I was raped when I was 12 and went thru a bout of
deprssion when I moved from TX to DC (prompting me to gain 50lbs.) and,
even though I had worked through it all, I thought this was info she should
know. I volunteered it! Dumb move on my part. If you are asked a direct
question, don't lie, but by all means just focus on the positive...how you
are aware of the potential complications, how you have a great support
system, how you are committed to making this tool work for you, but not
viewing it as an easy "out" etc. etc. I daresay most of us have
had some sort of trauma in our lives and I for one KNOW my low-grade
depression was a result of getting so big. But cha know what? I am a
month out, down 30lbs. and well on my way to living my life as the
"Thin Within" person I always was. Anyway, good luck, and
remember - don't feel compelled to tell 'em everything!
— rebeccamayhew
May 12, 2002
Avoid making jokes....they seem to lack a sense of humor. I was actually
asked if I was ever homicial, and I responded "only as concerns my
ex". I stopped laughing when I noticed the shrink wasn't laughing at
all...and then had to spend 5 minutes convincing him it was a joke.
— Cyndie K.
June 14, 2002
Cant you just be very honest with the questions
answer all the questions that are asked. Course
they are looking for people who say they are very
depressed and might want to do away with themselves--
If you are then you really don't want to have the
surgery. They are looking for bulemics and anorexic
people - but honest to God I have never seen an overweight
person do that - they enjoy their food to much to
purge. We might have tried exlax to feel better. Ha.
If you really are not fit for surgery you won't be
doing your self any favor by hiding it or lying about it.
Be upfront, be yourself, and be honest. Be good to yourself
— S B.
November 27, 2002
I have to tell you both as someone who is trying for WLS and as a
psychotherapist the truth. The truth is NOT always the best way to go.
Steer clear of questions about any past history of violence (Raped, etc)
and NEVER tell the doc that you are in CURRENT therapy. This prolongs the
approval or denile and he/she will want to talk to them, and this gets way
too messy. Sorry, but this are the real truths. The other one that is a
well kept secret is that the doc may have a hidden agenda with an insurance
company or two. Be carefull, not everyone is what they appear to be!
— MaryLisa D.
December 5, 2002
When I was evaluated the person noted that I had a significant weight gain
after an assault/attempted rape and the person reccommended I have a few
months of therapy before my surgery. Well, I know the weight gain was not
due to the attempted rape as much as when you are 200lbs overweight it is
200X more difficult to loose the weight. But the great thing is that I
really get alot out of my therapist and enjoy going to see her and it has
been really really helpful in preparing me for surgery. I plan to continue
therapy because she is very supportive.
— Rachel R.
January 2, 2003
I was very honest with the psychologist. I have bipolar and take
medication, and also see a therapist. She needed to get some paperwork
filled out by my psychiatrist and therapist, but it was not a big deal.
Honestly, this is a big move, wouldn't you want to be totally upfront with
them? I had to be honest because I need to have my meds regulated post-op,
but I really wouldn't have it any other way. It didn't stop me from
getting my approval either.
— Janet S.
June 5, 2003
My very first consult was in Nashville at Vanderbilt. They had a program up
there--they are a teaching hospital. I'm pretty sure they were obviously
doing research and such. As soon as the dr. who interviewed me found out
that I had been diagnosed, "Borderline Personality Disorder",
that was the end of that.
I function normally and go to counseling. In the movie "Girl
Interrupted" with Wynona Ryder and Angelina Jolie and Whopee Goldberg,
Winona Ryder's character was diagnosed BPD. The film is disturbing, but
that character works through her problems and gets on with life. I had 3
other consults (kept hoping around because of insurance) and no one else
cared about that. Also at some point, I thought, I'm just going to tell
them that I deal with depression and leave it at that.
I am excited now 6/03 to be a few weeks from surgery.
Your question is valid.
— Marylu M. C.
August 29, 2003
I just had my psych consult yesterday. It began with filling out a 90
question questionaire. I don't know how much it influence our
conversation. My psychologist had prepared by looking at my medical
record. My husband passed away suddenly a little over 2 years ago and I am
still dealing with the grief so a significant amount of time was spent on
the past 2 years. We talked about what triggers me to overeat and any
binging or purging episodes in the past (I binged for a few years around 20
years ago but not since.) She also asked about suicidal or homicidal
tendencies. I felt that as a whole she was trying to find out if I was
emotionally ready for surgery but more importantly for a successful
post-op. At Mayo, virtually everyone who is a candidate for surgery has to
go through a 16-week behavioral modification group therapy program before
having surgery (after all, don't we all have habits that we need to change
or else surgery will be a waste of time and money). Your psych consult is
the first step towards this. I begin group on Tuesday.
— ssundlee
September 6, 2003
Dont give them too much information. If you are depressed and on
medication, you can tell them, but dont go into too much detail. Answer all
his questions and the questionaire as truthfully as possible, without
adding a lot of garble.
— Deborah M.
December 31, 2003
OK folks...first rule of life...be truthful! You will only hurt yourself
and you new life should you be less than truthful to the shrink. We all
have past issues, some will jump in your face after surgery...so deal with
them before surgery and after if needed. I ask my psych why the questions,
his statement,"To see if you are truthful"...if one is not
truthful to oneselves or the psych, then how do you think you will be in
trying to follow your doctors orders? Me, I need some treatment, sexual
abuse as a child and now PSTD as a result. I have been in treatment in
past, so knew up front additional treatment would be needed. This will help
me understand why I eat for comfort, why food is my friend and how I can
replace food with other things that will be good for me. So be truthful,
wls is only one tool to help me become healthy!
— Marla S.
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