Hi everyone.

I am worried about talking to a psychologist. I can't explain why but it just feels like a test to me. (I get really nervous about tests!) If I say the wrong thing will I not be able to get my surgery?!?!

Anyone who has gone through that please.... What is the visit all about? What was required from you? What was asked? What is the main reason for the evaluation??? How long did it last? Any info would be very helpful.

Thank you!

Hi everyone.

I am worried about talking to a psychologist. I can't explain why but it just feels like a test to me. (I get really nervous about tests!) If I say the wrong thing will I not be able to get my surgery?!?!

Anyone who has gone through that please.... What is the visit all about? What was required from you? What was asked? What is the main reason for the evaluation??? How long did it last? Any info would be very helpful.

Thank you!

I did mine about a month ago, and it was actually very informative and enjoyable. The questions are basically about understanding what your issues with eating are (I tihink they need to rule out people such as bulimics who could get seriously ill doing this surgery), your weight history, a bit of your history (relationships, family, support system), and your relationship with food and willingness to change. I think it's best to just answer the questions honestly because they are really trying to figure out if you are mentally healthy enough to have the operation. And if you aren't, you probably don't want to do it yet. Honestly, I think if you have the eating issues that most overweight people have it's totally normal. So, try not to worry!!! Also the psychologist I talked to was really helpful in offering advice and strategies for post VSG, which I found reassuring. It'll be fine, really!

Hi, I had mine done in Aug and was done by phone. The questions were very straight forward a little bit of my history very comfortable.

Nancy

Thanks for the answers... I just get nervous about things that could ruin my plans. lol

Like tests in school... It was just fine if I passed but the thought of failing scared me. I am very interested in the possibility to do a phone evaluation! Mainly because I live so far from the hospital I want to have my surgery and I do work full time! I will mention that to my Doc. and see if I can have the evaluation by phone.

Thanks.

The tests I took were very basic questions with some crazy ones thrown in there. You need to remember the reason for the psych eval is to ensure that you will be able to handle the mental and emotional aspect of this life-changing surgery. It's more than just getting healthy and skinny, our emotions shoot all over the place post-op, and we really need to be able to handle it. Addictive personality (which I have), compulsive eating habits, eating disorders and depression can all intensify post-op. Transfer addictions are big topic in the WLS world, and I've dealt with it since being post-op, it's not any fun, and while I was able to get mine under control because I know my triggers, you really have to be prepared for this surgery mentally and emotionally.

And, yes, if you have any mental issues, they can postpone the surgery, but that isn't necessarily a horrible thing. If you have intense food issues, then you need to address them before surgery, or at least start working on them before going under the knife. They operate on our stomach, not our brains. So, removing 85% of our stomach isn't going to help the mental aspect of obesity, overeating, emotional eating, or stress eating.

My 1st psych eval lasted over 2 hours between the testing, and the consult with the actual psych. It was laid, back, and informal. I had a 2nd eval for my revision because my husband was deployed and my 2nd surgeon wanted to ensure that I could handle a 2nd surgery on top of having my husband in Afghanistan.

My psych exam was 3 hours. I had to take a personality test, an IQ test and talk with the psych. He asked questions about my weight history, what I've done to try to loss weight, my sleep habits and if I will have people to support me after the surgery. I think the main reason for the exam is to see if you are doing this for yourself and your health. I thought it was pretty interesting, I thought it was a little strange for the IQ test but I've always wanted to take one anyway. Don't be nervous though, just remember they are there to help you.

I had an evaluation done on the 6^th of this month. It lasted about 35 minutes. Most of the questions the physiologist asked were about me. She asked things like…why I chose to have the surgery, why I don’t just diet, if I wanted any more kids, how my husband felt about the surgery, how the rest of my family felt, if anyone else suffered from obesity in my family, who would care for my kids during the hospital stay and until I could lift my 1year old. She asked me if I ever suffered from depression and what stressors I have in my life right now. That is about it. I was nervous but just tried to answer the questions honestly. It will be over before you know it!

Hope that helps…

...I thought it was a little strange for the IQ test...

Now that IS strange! Perhaps this is part of a research study or something...

I had a test on the computer... 165 questions true/false. Then a follow up sit down with a live Psych. for about 45 minutes. Same questions as above and a rresultseading of the first test I took on the computer. I found it fascinating but was not surprised to hear what my "issues" were. She didn't think there were any problems and approved me for surgery. I think they sometimes just want to touch issues that perhaps you might not have thought of.. or taken seriously And look for issues that might make your surgery difficult or unsuccessful.

YAY! I am of sound mind!!!! lol

so I just got back to work from doing my psychiatric evaluation and passed with flying colors! i knew i would be doing a questionnaire but i didn't realize it would be almost 400 questions!!!! wow!!!!! I was there for about 2 1/2 hours.

I am glad that is now behind me and all i have to do is my last two nutritionist/dietitian visits! YAY!!!!!!

How did you get it done by phone? Im going to schedule mine soon and am just wondering?

Hi, I had mine done in Aug and was done by phone. The questions were very straight forward a little bit of my history very comfortable.

Nancy

Hi, I didn't know we would be doing it on the phone until I got the call. I imagine if I had said anything that raised any red flags I probably would have had to go in person. I'd call and ask them if you could do it by phone...can't hurt.

Hi, I didn't know we would be doing it on the phone until I got the call. I imagine if I had said anything that raised any red flags I probably would have had to go in person. I'd call and ask them if you could do it by phone...can't hurt.

I can't help but to wonder - and please don't hate me for asking this - but is this psych eval actually for the patient or for the doctors liability? I mean if it was found that the surgery was performed on a mentally ill person the doctor may be on the hook for any problems they might encounter.

Is anyone actually turned down because of the results? Are there ever any follow sessions for patients who ARE found with "issues"

I went the self pay route in Mexico and there was not psych eval. I knew what I wanted to achieve and knew I could not do it on my own - I just loved food too much.

Did I really miss something that I should of gotten?

I don't know if I should admit this or not--but I AM a psychologist, licensed in CA. I have never done an evaluation for weight loss surgery (they are probably done by a psychologist who specializes in Health psychology and I am Forensic) but I can tell you that the evaluation is for the protection of both the patient and the surgeon. For example, the surgeon could be held liable if the patient was incompetent to consent. Incompetence to consent to a medical procedure is usually due to mental retardation, severe brain injury, dementia, or severe mental illness, among other things. On the patient side, if, for example, if a patient has a totally unreasonable idea of how the surgical outcome is likely to affect their lives, it's likely that the psychologist would recommend a delay until those issues could be addressed.

Frankly, I think that if you are together enough to make plans to go to Mexico for surgery you are more likely than not to be competent to consent to it, and if you are an unreasonable expectation person you will be home when that surfaces and the Dr. in Mexico can ignore you if they choose. So no psych eval in Mexico!

Hi everyone I live in Marietta Ga and I am having a hard time finding a psychologist that accept tri care prime do anyone know one in the atlant area? could use some help Thank you:)

I had two. Not to freak ya out, but I "failed" the first one, but as a result of my experience and others, my Dr. THREW away her cards and is not recommending her anymore. This lady wanted some deep childhood investigation and we only had a hour! She wanted to know if my parents were married when I was born (40 years ago), and all this junk. Byotch. She had recommended that I wait till after my current job/money stressor, which then would defeat the purpose of the eval, since I won't have insurance once this stuff is over! I told her not to bother sending that in, I wasn't going to use her information..

So, I paid out of pocket for the In-House lady (who knows which side her bread is buttered). They will ask if you've had abuse, they will ask about food issues, it's Ok, ya wouldn't be there anyway if you didn't have any. They had me fill out a questionnaire that any reasonable person knows how to fill-out (are you sane enough to lie just a bit, LOL). I think it is reasonable to find out if you have the sense to understand what you are getting yourself into, the directives they are to give you, address any major fears you may have, are you so addicted to food are you gonna stuff marshmallows down your throat 24 hours after surgery..

The second lady was lovely. I could have chatted with her for hours, and of course, I got my clearance for surgery. It's not supposed to be a game of "gotcha"-you'll do fine!