Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Behavioral health evaluation



Recommended Posts

I'm a little nervous about going to this appointment I'm afraid I might say the wrong thing and get denied . What r some things that were said to cause denial, and right things said for approval what was your experience ?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've read many people have to take a questionnaire. I was already see a psychiatrist for depression and I had a few minutes talk with her and she "cleared" me that I was in a good frame of mind for the surgery. Good luck with your appt!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My recommendation is to be honest. It won't help you to get approved if you truly aren't ready for this.

That said, the areas we discussed focused on a number of areas:

  • Making sure I understood it wasn't a magic bullet - it will take some willpower and understanding to get through it.
  • Many people experience short term depression after the surgery, anywhere from a few days to a few months, so there were questions (both on the written questionnaire and the in-person discussion) that focused on my mental state - am I depressed or anxious, am I sleeping all right? Any history of mental issues?
  • Do I have a support network? I.e., have I told anyone? Of the ones I've told, do I feel like I have positive support (primarily around husband, family, close friends). Do I attend or plan to attend any support groups, or work with support groups online?
  • Have I felt like I understand what I'm getting myself into, and do I have enough information to go into this and be successful?
  • Do I know that my success is based on *me* and my behaviors in the long term?

I'm sure there were others, but those were the biggest areas of focus. Be aware that your evaluation could be any sort of combination of questionnaire and face-to-face interview. Mine was a fairly short questionnaire (about 5 pages with substance, as well as the usual medical history and personal info sorts of things), plus about an hour of interview that was handled more like an extended conversation (guided, but still conversational). Others may have more laser-focused questions in their face-to-face, and some have mentioned a questionnaire that was literally a few hundred questions long - I think mine was perhaps 100 or so.

Biggest thing is, relax :) Honestly, they're there to help you. If they don't think you're ready mentally, they may say you need to do some therapy sessions, but ultimately it's to help you be the most successful you can be with the surgery.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My Evaluation was talking with the psych, why do i want to do this, why now, and the things mentioned by others above. Mostly they want to make sure you are really aware of what you are getting into and what the psychological issues after surgery can be. Like Divorce rate is higher, You may lose friends etc. I also had to do a huge questionnaire. It was like 500 questions and took about 4 hours to do, then there was a shorter 100 question one. Then meet with Psych again to go over results of said questionnaire.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just had a session with a psychiatrist, no questionaire. It was a pretty easy process. He just asked how I thought I would handle the changes & we talked through it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank u so much doesn't seem so hard

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the long questionnaire, it was boring but I survived. You know I was worried, but my surgeon had told me when I went that I would have to go back again, because I needed one within 3mo of surgery, but they always did one early just in case there were things that needed to be worked on. I have a history of major depression and anxiety and I am currently on anti depressants, so I was a little nervous. He was amazing, I met with him for an hour, we talked about my history, talked about my concerns (when I had a 9 month bout of major depression, it was after loosing 55lbs) and he asked me a handful of questions. I was completely honest, I felt like I needed to be, I needed to know that I was ready, and he agreed, he gave me the green light. We have a monthly support group, we are required to attend one pre op (I go to as many as I can) our psychiatrist ran this last one, and I found him to be comical and really just an amazing guy and he had some great information. Good Luck! You will do great!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had to take 4 quizzes that measure mental health/issues, etc., and then sit down with a psychologist. She wanted to check readiness and see how you are with criticism. She also asked about your support system. It was a breeze. Just relax and be honest. If they think you need further evaluation, embrace it. It's for your own benefit. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×