Question:
My Psych Eval Lasted Less than 1 hour?

Not sure if the Psychologist is going to say I am ok for surgery because of mild depression. Has any one ever been turned down for surgery because of depression?    — AnnaReich (posted on September 10, 2003)

September 10, 2003
Yes, people can be turned down for depression or defferred for more treatment. However, because your session was less than an hour doesn't mean that is what is going to happen. My psych review lasted all of 30 minutes. None of those horrifying tests that so many have had to have (thank god!) -and I did just fine. Don't worry too much. I dobut it would be a cut and dry- NO- too depressed for surgery. I'm sure that depression was the diagnosis it would be more like- depression- requires treatment before surgery. Good luck to you!
   — LMCLILLY

September 10, 2003
I wouldn't worry so much about the length of time it took to speak to the psychiatrist. He/She may have done quite a few of these reviews and knew what questions to ask to get enough info for your surgeon without going all the way back to your childhood to evaluate you. My psychiatrist only spoke to me about 15-20 minutes but I have been seeing him for 2 years. In my past I have been diagnosed with O.C.D., major depression, panic disorder, bulimia, manic-depression, and tricitillimania though currently I am only being treated for the first 2 and last one. Several of these are in the group of 9 major mental disorders and I was still approved (although when I spoke to the surgeon, and yes I was very truthful with my history, he said he was concerned about doing the surgery even though I have been in treatment for a while now but he did decide to do it after he had a chance to review all my paperwork). I am scheduled for 10/6/03 @ 9AM and am very excited about it. I hope you don't stress about this much. I think you will do just fine. By the way, now that I have finally found the right medication to help me I am doing wonderfully. I thank God for the strength to help me every day. I find that helps me the most. Good luck to you and God Bless.
   — tntwildlife77

September 10, 2003
Hi, I also suffer from depression and have been on Zoloft now for about a year and a half. When I went to see the psychologist he said that while I do suffer from depression, I'm being effectively treated for it and sent his recommendation for me to have surgery without hesitation. I was approved about 6 days later! When you think about it, most of us who are considering this surgery are depressed! My consult with him lasted about 45 minutes. Good luck!
   — Moysa B.

September 10, 2003
I was very frank with the psychological evaluation..I told them I suffer from depression and had most of my life. I am under a psychaitrist care and taking medication and complying with treatement. They said they never even thought of turning me down because of depression. They are looking for suicidal tendencies that have not been treated or personality disorders that would not benefit from the surgery. I was totally honest in every respect. I had my surgery 2 years ago. The great thing is my surgeon has on staff Psych docs that help you along post op with the changes in body image and the changes in emotions and the plain getting used to a new way of life. Their goal at my surgeons was not to turn you down but to help you along through the process. Best to you and I don't think you have anything to worry about.
   — Karen Renee

September 10, 2003
Don't sweat it! I think your approval is coming. Mild depression is no reason to turn you down for surgery especially if it is something you are actively working on with meds and/or counseling. I would bet the most he would do is recommend some medication and counseling to help you through the WLS process. Heck I'd be interested to know how many WLS patients truly do not have some degree of depression. It is pretty common. It's the severe untreated depression that would be a much bigger issue and if you really hadno concept of what would be done to you and the changes you will have to make. Hang in there!
   — zoedogcbr

September 11, 2003
Helllooooo Anna! Hey guess what? You are actually the "norm" for someone dealing with a weight problem. I would be suspect of any psych eval that didn't show some eveidence of some (even just minimal or situational) depression. It doesn't take long for a doc to get an initial impression of you - they take in everything from info on your chart, paperwork you have completed, how you move, act, speak, eye contact, etc. and it doesn't take long for a quick size up. First and most importantly he/she will be looking to see if you actually seem competent to make this decision - that's not too difficult to figure out. If he/she had any real impressions that you were dealing with something major, another type of mental illness or a more severe depression, I am betting your appointment would have lasted longer. Depression SHOULD be a co-morbid condition related to morbid obesity (my opinion) and I am sure insurance companies - when they approve this surgery - are looking for ways to alleviate all or most of our co-morbid conditions (after all, it saves them money in the long run). Don't be surprised if your eval also recommends some counseling and possibly medication to assist you through this life changing event. Neither are a bad idea and you may find them to be very helpful. I've had mild to severe clinical depression all my life. My PCP, surgeon, psych eval doc and the insurance company didn't even blink and eye - all thought it would help (surgery) and my insurance approved me in 5 working days and I have ANTHEM (a seriously difficult company to deal with at times). So....YOU GO GIRL! Take care of yourself and good luck! See you on the other side! HUGS, HUGS, and more HUGS!
   — Deborah F.