I have my psych eval on monday and have no idea what to expect.... Any advice or what to watch out for would be appreciated!!!

For me it was just a few "standardized" profiles, it just wasn't anything to worry about, I also talked to the psyc. about my reasons for wanting the band. Really easy, no sweat.

Regards,

Well when I had my eval, he just wanted to get to the root of my over eating. I actually found him very helpful, my advice would be just be honest and ask questions. I think it's a great tool for long term sucess. Good Luck please keep me posted:)

He was a strange little man, but I would agree nothing to worry about. He tested me to see if I was knowledgeble about the band, port, drinking water/while eating. Then gave me a packet to fill out. With questions like "if you see something good to eat do you eat it right away" and there were images I had to choose which one closely resembled my figure. (I guess to see if I had any body image issues) I turned it back in the next day and then came back for the results. He called me emotionally guarded but approved me anyway.

Mine was super easy. I think the guy I saw was just looking to see that I understood the band wasn't a cure all and that I would need to make changes etc. After the "interview" I had to take a multiple choice test it was about 200 questions...but they were ridiculous like do you hear voices, do you harm yourself, do you feel like people are out to get you. You'll do fine just answer all the questions honestly and you're good!

He was a strange little man, but I would agree nothing to worry about. He tested me to see if I was knowledgeble about the band, port, drinking water/while eating. Then gave me a packet to fill out. With questions like "if you see something good to eat do you eat it right away" and there were images I had to choose which one closely resembled my figure. (I guess to see if I had any body image issues) I turned it back in the next day and then came back for the results. He called me emotionally guarded but approved me anyway.

Mine said that I overstate my feelings on things, lol.

Even though it's a bariatric psych eval, they are still Psychatrist first... LOL.... Thank you all for the help. I read one girl "scored a 90" and the Psych told her she needed to be in the 50 range. I have no idea what she was talking about and therefore I'm kinda apprehensive that I wont pass. If it's like a sit down "interview" I'm sure I'll do fine. I've read a lot about the lap band and feel pretty confident about my knowledge but I'm still nervous!

I didn't know u got a score on the eval???? I just thought they gave the thumbs up or down...I wonder what my score was...lol

Mine was just sitting down and talking. Just be honest. They're wanting to make sure you're doing it for the right reasons, and that you're not in a place in life that is too stressful for success. They also want to know about depression (for me she said STAY ON MY MEDS for at least a year past my goal weight. The eval is truly just to make sure you're informed, aware of the difficulty in being successful, and to offer advice so that you can be successful. It's no biggie.

My surgeon said the purpose of the psych eval is to be sure you aren't suspected of committing suicide following surgery. It happens.

Also, keep in mind, the psycologist they refer you to WORKS WITH YOUR SURGEON so he/she has the documentation required by your insurance company, ie the psyche eval and more. SO unless there is a real psyche reason you shouldn't have surgery, it's nothing to worry about.

And yes, you will just sit and talk. Take advantage of that hour.

Thank you. I feel better now. The psych I'm going to doesn't work injunction with my surgeon cuz they didn't take insurance and wanted to charge me $200, so I'm going to an approved one by the insurance company....but I'm sure it'll be ok. I'm doing this for all the right reasons

I was lucky my eval was done by a Dr. that had lap band surgery and she was able to tell me what to expect when i get the surgery

Wow, mine was sitting down and talking for quite a while, then it was two multiple choice tests....all of this took hours to complete. It was horrible. I passed but there were a couple sceptical areas. I wasn't 100% honest in answering my questions but I did alright.

Ok, had the psych eval yesterday.... a total waste of time! It was a sit down "interview" but it really wasnt. He talked a lot and just typed up the eval as we spoke. Nothing really discussed about bariatric surgery or anything really related to "eating disorders". But..... I got the eval and just verified with the surgeon's office that they received it.

Now, it's a waiting game to see how long the surgeon's office reviews my file and compiles the info to submit for approval. I sure hope I dont have to keep calling and bugging them for a status. I sure hope they can get it reviewed and sent off this week!! Am I dreaming?? How long did it take any of you after your eval was received? I have BCBS-Fed and I've read that they are rather quick in approving surgery, I just have a feeling this doctor's office is slow in submitting the paperwork to insurance...... UGH....

Mine was submitted the day that I had my last appointment. However the phych doc was in the same office. I think the insurance wants it done. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be the same day. However the approval (for me) took about a week. good luck!

Most psychological test have built in questions to detect malingering (faking good OR bad) so the best thing to do is just to answer the questions as honestly as possible. Honestly if I am noe psychologically ready i don;t think I want to get the band..I don't want to invest all that money and go through surgery to fail, or be miserable.