Hello, friends!

I'm just getting a little nervous about my psych evaluation a week from tomorrow...I spoke with the administrative assistant at my bariatric clinic and she said something like...'if you get the green light from our psychiatrist...'

What green light??? I'm kinda freaked---what are they going to try to figure out???

Duh-I'm fat-let's get on with it.....lol

Hope to hear from ya!

~Courtney

I just had my psych evaluation done a few weeks ago. Usually they have you meet with a shrink to discuss your weight loss history/feelings/comitment level/etc. and give you a personality test, which sounds imposing, but for the most part, it just weeds out schizoprhenics and hypochondriacs. It is a two-hour true/false fill-in-the-bubble test from a booklet, with some very amusing questions. Some example questions: "I like to cook" "If I were an artist I would like to paint flowers" and "I know someone is trying to poison me." The really far-out there questions like, "I frequently have the sensation of insects crawling under my skin," is a red-light indicator for meth addicts. My test showed that I was a bit defensive (apparently), shy, insecure, and possibly have disthymia or controlled depression. Pretty accurate and not "a psycho-wacko" as the shrink put it. Don't overanalyze the questions or spend more than 10 seconds on each and be honest.

The shrink then writes up a report to give to your insurance company saying you are aware of the risks and psychologically and cognitively able to cope with the surgery. Again, unless you have dire concerns about being "a psycho-wacko," I'm sure you'll do fine.

Probably because you think you are a psycho wacko, you aren't. Generally the true psychos don't think that they are.

Just be honest. My dr. asked a bunch of questions. "do you realize this is major surgery", "how do you think it will feel when you've lost weight", "do you understand that this is a lot of work?"

You know. Tell them you understand why you got fat and you understand it might freak you out at first to be thin and you are willing to do the work to get through it all.

It's really no biggie deal. Surgeons are just required to have it since it's such a big surgery in someone's life. They are basically covering their own asses, so be honest.

Courtney-

The Psych test was honestly a joke....I want to kill my mom.....I often feel like hurting myself....etc. And if you don't get the right question with the right little answer circle key....your test results can really be screwed up. The one-on-one with the dr was more interesting....he was really concerned about weight loss vs divorce rate.....wants to check in with me one year later to see how things are....just very very weird. Good luck..just remember it is one more step closer to the band!!!

Tracy

My psych eval required me to fill in a substantial questionairre with essay-like answers. The psychologist then reviewed my answers with me, discussing some of them in more depth.

His last question was asked verbally and I think was the crux of the whole evaluation, "You've tried many diets in the past. What makes you think THIS will work where the others have not?"

thank you all for your words of wisdom! monday is the big day---i'll post back when (or if...lol) i make it back home! do they make plus sized straightjackets???!!!

have a great weekend!

courtney

oh my i am headed for one soon.......a friend told me they are usually right on if so i can see they are gonna say i am obsessive compulsive and very foward.lol let me know how you do

I didn't have a test, just therapy type sessions. Part of what the psychologist should do is identify your eating triggers (behavioral, emotional, etc.) and help you identify ways to cope with them. Also to determine your expectations for the surgery, and how you will respond if those expectations are/aren't met. Also to determine any eating disorders that may be present.

Just be honest. Any help and advice you get will only benefit you. And don't be nervous.

To some extent, one purpose of the psych eval is to relieve the surgeon of liability in case you get nutsy afterward and try to blame him for ruining your life....it's a malpractice protection thing.

However, it is a good thing IMO that we are required to go thru this....if it is done right. The shrink that did mine said I was depressed (big surprise! she'd be depressed, too, if she weighed 350 lbs and thought she was dying). She asked me to get an appointment with a local counselor before she would write my approval letter. It wasn't a control thing....she was being very responsible and professional - I did need help with my depression, and she was doing what a good shrink who had to be accountable to the surgeon she worked for, the insurance company she reported to, and the patient she was helping should have done. I was impressed with her and the procedure.

Just go in and be real....most shrinks are in that business to help people so remember that they are on your side.

ok------....drum roll please.....

i got the green light from the psychologist! wow that was a long appt... 700 true/false questions and an appt with a psychologist and a student psychologist! it was actually kind of nice, being able to voice my opinion and feelings regarding being fat and getting ready to be banded...my husband just usually nods and smiles (he has no idea about all the pros and cons of it)! i actually felt great when i left there-i didn't even stop at a fast food restaurant on the way home! thanks to all of ya for your support! i have to wait two weeks for the next step i guess...the "phone call"...