Question:
Im having my Psych Eval Jan 15. Any suggestions?

I thought waiting for approval was hard. Now im scared that after all that ill still be turned down because of the Psych eval. Anyone have any hints or suggestions? Id like to hear from anyone.. Exspecially from someone in the Ocean springs, MS area whos had Dr. Booth.. thx in advance everyone    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 10, 2002)

January 9, 2002
I have heard so many different comments on Psych evals...each dr does things differently. I had to see both a psychologist and a psychiatrist. The psychologist took down my history, mental, family, medical etc and then he administered the MMPI a 500+ test that was ludicrous to say the least and left me worried as to what it might reveal. The psychiatrist wasn't even concerned with the results of the test. He asked me questions to find out why I wanted to have this surgery and to see how educated about the procedure I was. He wrote the approval letter to my surgeon. So relax and try to find out in advance what exactly your psych eval will consist of, will they ,make you take that test? Lots of people aren't required to. Like I said each drs office and each insurance requires different hurdles to jump through. BTW I suffer from mild depression and was on Prozac at the time of my psych eval and that made no difference either.
   — SARose61

January 10, 2002
Make sure you become as educated as you can about the procedure itself. That it will be a lifestyle change, and a look ahead to the future!! My Psych evaluation....I HATED that 500 T & F test....all they are looking for is consistancy!!! Same questions over and over.....BUT my evaluation report from DOC himself was more concerned that I wasn't too well aware of the procedure itself. HOWEVER he still did OK me...GOOD LUCK!!!
   — [Anonymous]

January 10, 2002
The main reason the insurance company will want you to have a psych eval. is because they want to make sure you have reasonable expectations about the surgery and are mentally stable enough to follow through with your doctor's orders. Keep this in mind and be as honest as possible. The psych evals are designed to pick up on people trying to hide something.
   — Terissa R.

January 11, 2002
Stress your understanding of the procedure, realistic expectations, that WLS is only a tool. Save and discuss any serious mental health problems (serious depression, addictive bingeing, illegal drug use, etc.) for your own therapist. No matter how wonderful the person doing the Psych seems, s/he is NOT there to be your friend. S/he is your EVALUATOR. Just my opinion. If you appear honest, straight-forward, and knowledgeable, the Psych Consult should not be a problem - just a hoop to jump through.
   — Kathy J.

February 11, 2002
I guess it's too for my suggestions to help the poster, but maybe it will help anyone else reading this later on. I just had my psych test last night (02/11/02) and was not given the 500 Q&A test, but was asked some details about the diets and weight loss programs I've tried. The doc needs to know you do NOT have an eating "disorder", that you fully understand the surgery procedures and the REAL WORLD of POST OP,that this decision is FOREVER and that you will never eat the same again after the surgery. He looks for signs of depression or suicidal tendancies, and patterns in your personality that may cause problems down the road for you. If you show signs of these things, he will recommend THERAPY instead of SURGERY for your own good. Also, he asked me if I was afraid of high buildings, being in enclosed spaces or driving over high bridges. He wants to know if you are going to be willing to excercise Post OP and modify your past negative lifestyle habits and get FIT. I answered truthfully and I passed his evaluation.
   — Kathy A C.

May 4, 2002
Be very honest. Also, it is very important that they know if you have any mental condition. Don't hide it or for sure you will not be approved. You can still have the surgury with bi-polar depression. I do and I am scheduled for surgery on 5-30-02
   — Christine J.

June 2, 2002
Be very honest when speaking with the psychologist and answering the questions on the MMPI. The test evaluates many different things - there are questions on there designed to test if you are lying or not. They advised me to answer the first thing that popped into my head. Don't analyze.
   — Kim M.

July 2, 2002
I went for my psych evaluation yesterday (7-1-02) and it wasn't at all what I thought it would be. I was really stressed about it the night before because I really didn't know what to expect. But I was kind of happy to find that it wasn't the 500 question deal or true or false as some of you have stated. It was nothing more than than a Q & A session. Of course he threw in the questions about my childhood, my parents, if I had any traumatic experiences growing up, if I was ever sexually molested or raped, if I had a family history of alcoholism or personal. He asked if I've ever been suicidal or felt like I wanted to hurt anybody else. How I felt about myself, how I viewed myself as a person, what I liked about myself, what I didn't like about myself, if I had a supportive family and a few other personal ones. And then part 2; he wanted me to explain to him everything that I knew about Gastric Bypass. So all you can really do is to answer the questions as honestly as possible. But don't give away more than you're asked because that just leads to more questions that could lead to others. But anyhow, I passed with flying colors! Hope this helps my fellow pre-ops! See you on the other side (the loosing side) Rochelle Smith
   — mzunderstood702

December 6, 2002
Hi, Had mine yesterday. I had such a headache. But it was fine. Just be honest. I had to take a written test then talk to doc for 1 1/2 hours. The written test took 2 hours. The doctor was very nice and concerned. I was very honest. When we were talking about my weight gain history I was honest and told him I ate alot when I was ill before for comfort. I then let him know I understood that I would no long be able to use food for comfort and was prepared for that. He asked me about my efforts to loose weight in the past. I told him all about the diets and I knew what I should do but obviously did not have the will power to do it and that I needed something that would force me to eat right. It will be okay. Honesty is best. -jackie
   — Jackie B.

December 7, 2002
All my physc exam was 580 ? asked over and over again. Besides the Doctor most likely wants you money. He will probaly put like mine did and say go for the surgery but need counsel afterward. Thats so the can keep you as a patient. Not saying these quack's are not necc. because they all. There is something causing us to be so fat and most of us I would say 50% is emotional eating. We have to figure out why we eat so much to stop, even after WLS. Good Luck
   — Kent K.

December 14, 2002
Now, I'm from Michigan, so it's not the same Doc, but my Psych Eval was wonderful. Don't be nervous, they are not the enemy. My Dr (Dr. Medick) was just as informative as my Surgeon, they really help bring alot to light regarding obesity. Just be honest, because there's nothing wrong with wanting this surgery, and there are many good reasons for wanting it.
   — Sarah F.

February 24, 2003
Hi there, Don't be scared. There is usually no problem with approval even with a "mental health issue" unless you are non-compliant now or obsessive compulsive. I had a long history of anxiety and depression and was turned down by my insurance company for it. It was the first time EVER the psychologist or the surgeon had seen it happen (leave it up to me). But, I was finally approved (last week). Here's what I did. If they turn you down for psych reasons, I would write the company and request the EXACT rationale why your mental history would interfere with your weight loss surgery. Request a copy of the EXACT criteria the company uses to approve WLS (study the mental health portion closely). THEN, have the psychologist write your appeal letter spelling out (using the criteria list) why you either MEET that criteria or why you DON'T HAVE a certain criteria that would exclude you. If that didn't work, I'd contact Walter Lindstrom (attny) and have him appeal for you. He can usually get the job done for a reasonable amount of money ($350 est). Good Luck, Kelly
   — Kelly M.

July 15, 2003
I wouldn't worry about the exam. Like other stated before me, mine was just a question/answer session. He did want to put me on prosac for depresion, but I refused and stated that I would rather try and deal with it. I guess we will see how it goes. My doctor exam is the end of the month, then the package can go to the insurance.
   — Teresa B.

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