Question:
What kinds of information in the surgeon looking for on the psych eval?

My psych has never done this before and wants to know what the surgeon is looking for the letter to include    — jpgoodie (posted on March 31, 2003)

March 31, 2003
at I always say, it is best to find out directly from your surgeon what information s/he requires. in general, however, the psych eval is to determine if you are capable of understanding the surgery; have reasonable expectations about the risks and chances for success and failure; your ability and willingness to comply with post-op care, diet and exercise; and if you have any mental or emotional issue that might interfere with your recovery.
   — Kasey

March 31, 2003
Hi! After we chatted, my Psych explained to me exactly what my insurer wanted In his letter he had to cover multiple topics. He said that they want to make sure, in his opinion that; I am making the decision of my own free will, that I am committed to the surgery and it is not just a "whim", that I understood this surgery is very hard to reverse, that I understood the possible complications, that I didn't have other underlying causes for not being able to lose and keep off the weight, that I was coherent enough to understand what I was getting myself into, that in his opinion I should be able to stick to the new diet post-op (believe it or not some ((rare cases)) people can't) and that I was not doing it for "cosmetic" reasons. My psych's letter was about 2 pages. I hope this helps. At the recommendation of my psych, I also included a letter to the insurer with my initial request paperwork. It detailed just how clear I was about the surgery, I explained that I understood what I was about to do, I detailed my co-morbities and how they impact my life (without too much emotion) and I detailed what I had to look forward with my health and how my insurer would probably have to cover the costs of GERD surgery, breast reduction, a scooter so I could be mobile etc. It felt good to put it all on paper. I was approved the same day it was initially reviewed -1st shot. Good Luck, my big day is Wednesday!!!
   — M B.

March 31, 2003
Joanne, my surgeon's office required that we use their psychologists to evaluate us. I'm sure not every doctor is like this, but I've heard this from others as well. I would just double check with surgeon's office that it is ok to use yours, if you haven't already. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

March 31, 2003
I agree with Maggie. I also had to take the MMPI tests (very simple but long). According to my answers it showed I was mildly depressed and anxious. I already knew this and had a personal therapist and psychologist. The one giving me the test just talked about my following up with my thrapist and psych after surgery. I had NO problem getting my approval.
   — Jamie M.

March 31, 2003
Hi, Joanne! I think different insurances make different requirements. For my son's, he had to have the psych eval prior to approval. He took a form that the surgeon's office provided to him, and the psychologist filled it out and faxed it back to the surgeon's office. They then included the results with his paperwork for approval. In my case, the surgeon's office asked that I use their psychologist. She had me answer a one-page list of questions pertaining to how I was feeling the past week. Then we discussed some prior issues, past depressive episodes, and just generally talked about my life, self-esteem issues, etc. I think they are looking to see that you can adapt to the changes required, and if you've had past depressions they want to know, as depression is more likely to occur in someone who's already had it. I guess a lot of post-ops do suffer from depression at one time or another. It was about a half-hour appointment. I would check with your surgeon's office to see if they have any kind of form they would like you to take to your psych. Good luck!
   — Carlita

March 31, 2003
Just a note: If you are using a psychologist or psychiatrist your surgoen recommends, check with your insurance company to make sure they are in network (if you have a network!) My husband got caught - the first psychologist we knew was not in network, the second one I thought was in network and later found out she termed with our plan several months before. (And didn't inform us of that at the time my husband presented his insurance information.) We had a bigger bill than we anticipated because of it.
   — koogy

April 1, 2003
My surgeon has a very good explination of this on his web site. Check it out at: http://www.thinnerfuture.com/steps_surgery/letter.htm Here are the basics: Adverse psychiatric conditions such as psychosis, severe behavioral disorders or severe neurosis may contraindicate surgery. Full understanding of the aim, risks and complications of surgery. Ability to understand and comply with instructions and recommendations. Acceptance of the need for active participation in the postoperative demands after surgery, for the rest of the patients life. Assessment of expectations or unrealistic goals. Good Luck.
   — Amber L.

April 1, 2003
Hi! I wasn't allowed to use my own psychiatrist and my surgeon had a "protocol" that they wanted.So I found a different psych. and my surgeon sent them their requirements.
   — jennifer A.