i do not understand why i have to see a psych ? this is my health i need this for . why would i need a psych docotr to tell me otherwise ? i am confussed .... did my pulmonary test , and echo and still waiting on surgery date ....

I think most surgeons are trying to prevent eating disorders. I don't think that if you go out of the country they require it. I also think maybe, I could be wrong though, insurance wants it. Is it really such a bad thing to talk to someone for an hour?

I didn't see one.

Most of the people do require it as part of the pre-op testing requirements. They are basically making sure that you have a good support system behind you to get you through the rough spots and to make sure you are going into this thing with your eyes wide open. They don't want you thinking that "the band" is the quick fix because as many have said it's only a tool that has to be used the right way for you to have success with it. Some people only have to go to one visit and others have to have several and it's all according to your insurance and also the psychologist and how many visits he requires before he will sign off on you. It's not a big deal in the scheme of all the other things that are required for most. Lastly, you asked what a psychologist has to do with your choice to get healthy and actual if you think about it we were all overweight because of some underlying reasons why we ate like we did. Food never just leaped off the plate in my house into my mouth......I wish I could say it did but it didn't lol

My insurance required a psych eval for surgery approval. But, before I contacted my insurance or surgeon, I found an obesity specialist therapist and made an appointment. I did this because I knew that WLS was more than just “physical” (i.e., eating less, exercising more). I wanted to feel sure that I was making a decision that I could live with. I personally am an emotional eater, so it was important for me to incorporate the mind and body in my weight loss journey. I started seeing my therapist in October 2008 and had my surgery in June 2009. I continue to see her even now. My problem is not, and never was about being “physically” hungry. Taming the “head” hungry monster has been more than a notion for me.

Today I can honestly say that I am thrilled to have my band AND my therapist. My weight loss has been slow compared to many; but the changes in my life with regard to how I feel about food have been tremendous.

Everyone’s journey is different, WLS is a very personal thing – each journey is unique for the most part, with a common thread between us all (i.e., having this little band inside of us). You may have it all together, know exactly what you want, and be a person of great discipline, and unless your insurance or your surgeon require it, you may not need a psych eval.

Either way, I wish you success on your lapband journey.

My surgeon's program requires that EVERYONE see the therapist. She has to clear it. Basically she wanted to make sure I understood the surgery, what it would mean. If I had a support system. Did I understand this wouldn't solve the problem, but instead provide me with a tool. I think it was good to know that even post op if I wasn't feeling great I could go back to her. My surgeon recommends to everyone a group of doctors to get all the pre op stuff done because they are family with WLS and know what's involved.

Good luck with all your pre-op testing!!

i do not understand why i have to see a psych ? this is my health i need this for . why would i need a psych docotr to tell me otherwise ? i am confussed .... did my pulmonary test , and echo and still waiting on surgery date ....

I had to do it too and I'm a self pay. No insurance requirements here. The guy just wanted me to take this long long test about how I think about different things (a lot of questions about drugs and alcohol, violence, suicidal thoughts, body image thoughts, etc.) Then he asked me if I knew about some of the complications and risks and that it was just a tool like the other user said and that I still had to do all the work etc. etc. They just want to make sure you know exactly what you are getting into and that you're in the right frame of mind to handle such a life changing surgery. It's a big deal so make sure you're ready.

My insurance and surgeon both required it. I saw a nurse practitioner for mine. It's not an exam to see if you're crazy, but rather to make sure you understand the whole scope of the surgery & aftercare, if there's any areas you need help with (liek for me, it was recommended I staay on my antidepressants until well after I meet my goal weight), to offer support in relationships, and to make absolutely sure you will be willing to do the entire program. If you go in and during the meeting say "my spouse is going to leve me if I don't do this so I have to" that would be an issue and they'd likely want to counsel you both before signing off. If you go in and tell them you just know the band will fix everything and you just plan to eat less and let the band do all the work, they will educate you. The meeting takes about an hour, is really very relaxed, and well worth it in many ways.