Question:
didn't pass the psych evaluation :(

I'm so bummed. I went for the preliminary psych evaluation and the Dr. felt that I needed a good six months of therapy before she could approve me....she said that I'm suffering from depression (duh...I told her that I've been on Zoloft for a year). If I was totally well-adjusted and happy, I wouldn't be looking for this surgery. Anyone experience this?? I need a friend. Melanie Luken [email protected]    — melaniejoy I. (posted on January 14, 2000)

January 14, 2000
Hi Melanie, I also did not pass my pysch. eval. and had to have counseling. You can read more in detail at my member site. I have since got approval from my psych. (1/11/00) I am waiting for BTC to call with surgery date. If you have any question I will try to answer if I can. Louise
   — LOUISE M.

January 14, 2000
Hi Melanie,I,m scheduled for 1/24 wls and i started to see my P S Y C O analyst abouy a month and a half ago, and I'm having my fourth visit with him on the 17th. He can't believe anyone woud volintarily do this operation. He's learned alot about it with me,but it's costing me a few hundred with all these visits. I tried to see another guy that me and my wife used for counsiling a few years ago,and his secretary said that he couldn't evaluate me because he does't believe in the wls. I told the secretary,"what does he do about suicidal people" she sure looked stupid!! I hope you get the surgery despite your seeminly leeching psch person. G O O D L U C K RUDY
   — RUDY S.

January 14, 2000
Having therapy isn't necessarily a bad idea. WLS should not be taken lightly. It sounds like people want to go to a total stranger, see him/her once, and get their blessing to have major surgery which will drastically change their lives. That's a big burden to place on someone you don't know. Six months may seem like a long time, but the surgery is just a tool. You will still have to watch what you eat and do plenty of exercise. Weight loss surgery isn't necessarily successful--I've had it twice now. You will still have plenty of work to do, believe me. It's not an easy fix and shouldn't be taken lightly. Surgery alone will not cure you. For compulsive eaters, there are a lot of issues that can best be managed within the context of surgery. If we can't submit to six months of counseling, how can we expect to change our entire lives so drastically and maintain it for a lifetime. My suggestion to anyone embarking on WLS is to get into counseling and stay there. It's not as easy as you may think. Success depends on treating the mind and body. Not only am I in counseling, but I also attend a weekly support group. It's a struggle, but well worth it.
   — Peggy51

January 14, 2000
Melanie psych evaluations are an important part of the process of wls. Sometimes we belive that the surgery will make us happy, change out lives into something perfect. All weight loss surgery does is help us loose weight, and that's fantastic, but depression is both physical, psychological and I guess spiritual and will not necessarily go away as a result of your loosing weight. I'm scheduled for 31/1 Biliopancreatic Diversion. I'm also a psychologist :-) You may not need 6 months to prepare you for the surgery, but don't be too quick to dismiss the need for therapy. More than likely, you and your therapist will decide after a while that you are okay to proceeed. Give it a go. I think it is important not to loose sight of the long-term goal of weight loss and a healthier life style in all areas of your life. Good luck. Sue
   — Sue C.

January 14, 2000
Dear Melanie: I can only guess at your frustration after having your hopes up. My surgeon and PCP were also concerned since I've taking large doses of Zoloft for four years now. I passed my psych test but it was a close one; my psychiatrist thought the benefits of WLS well balanced the risks, and that I'd been in therapy long enough so I'd do okay. Please keep in mind that it is nearly impossible for a doctor to determine the exact cause of depression ... frequently there are a number of contributing factors (genetic pre-disposition, chemical imb, trauma, etc). Some of the concern your doctors have may be because of the period of depression many experience following surgery. When that is added to the depression one is already suffering, it can make life REALLY tough for a while. Even with support from PCP, psychiatrist and psychologist, those first few weeks were VERY rough for me. However, all my docs had anticipated potential post-op problems and spent a lot of time working with me to prepare for surgery and follow-up. As unbearable as it may seem to wait, try to look at it from a different perspective: it took a long time to get to the weight we are at, and any effort required to prepare for WLS is worthwhile; although your doc MIGHT be one of the guys trying to get money together to buy a yacht, he may also be concerned for your wellbeing post op. This may be an opportunity to get information from an objective source ... the doc may have some suggestions regarding emotional eating, dealing with your peers as you begin to change post op, etc. This is just my .02, and might not even be worth that much. Cindy
   — Cynthia B.

January 15, 2000
It's good to see some shrewd consumers out there. All 6 months of therapy will do is pay her bills! Get another opinion from someone who understands morbid obesity (god I hate that term!)and that weight loss surgery is not just a quick fix!
   — Carol M.

January 15, 2000
Hi Melanie: Get another psych eval. Find some wls patients in your area, and find out who they used. Change doctors if you need to! Jaye Carl, RN, open proximal RNY 7-29-99. 89 pounds gone forever and ever!!! Amen!
   — Jaye C.

February 28, 2000
I had a problem with the psych evaluation because I have trichotillomania. It wasn't that I have it that was the problem. The problem was my surgeon hadn't ever heard of it. All he could see was that I didn't have much hair because I pull it out. Gee, another compulsive/impulsive behavior besides overeating? How strange, huh? Yeah? I used to smoke 3 packs a day, too. Substitution. I am normal except I pull my hair. Yes, I'm intelligent. Yes, I am an overachiever. Yes, I am a Type A personality. And yes, I could have WLS w/o mental problems. And psych told the surgeon that. So I did. The only problem I had was having to tell my entire support group because I could not wear the wig in the hospital. That was very difficult for me. Also, I saw my file while in the hospital. The folder said in big bold bright red letters "Psych." Now, if I really had a psychiatric problem, that would have pushed me over the edge, but I know most people don't know or understand trichotillomania.
   — [Anonymous]