So tomorrow is my psych evaluation... Could anyone give any suggestions or any info on what to expect?

It's mainly an interview to verify that you understand what a huge life altering process you are undertaking. They will also look at what support you have and what other stressors you have in your life. So folks have taken a lengthy multiple choice form as well.

It's a conversation with a psych about your life - medical history of course, family history, eating patterns throughout life, patterns of use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, addictive behaviors, mental tendencies, family and support systems. By reading the report from my psych eval (last week), I realized a few of the things they're looking for.:

1. Any pattern of addictive behavior, tobacco, alcohol and other drug abuse.

2. Any pattern of violence, anger, irritability, short-temperedness, grouchiness, etc.

3. How much you're *committed* to succeeding with this surgery, e.g. how much you've learned about it, can you articulate the process and why you chose your particular surgery, how it works, what you know about the pre- and post- op diet.

4. How much your family and "support system" knows and is prepared to help you with lifestyle changes.

There was a long (160 multiple choice questions) psych-profile type computerized test following the interview. Like many of these tests, it asks the same things in separated questions with slight variations, opposite phrasing, different angles, etc.

One of the things the conclusion about me stated was that I was likely to be not very good about following practices and recommendations post-surgery, because I hadn't talked about preparation in the home, reading up on recipes and food preparation, and I had no specific plans for a post-surgery exercise program.The psych report sounded pessimistic about my success and recommended that I be offered several alternatives and, if surgery is chosen, a lot of follow-up "advice" and "coaching" would be necessary.

So watch what you say - whether the surgeon pays much attention to this will vary, I suppose. But definitely you want to create the impression that you are fully committed to success, and will follow all the advice and avail yourself of ALL the help and support you are provided. Make sure that it's clear that you fully buy-in to the psycho-babble rah-rah touchy-feely cloud of unicorns pooping moonbeam energy support systems surrounding the surgery itself.

For me, a "2 hour" appointment with the psych was 40 minutes of interview and 20 minutes of computer-driven questions, so $500/40 = $12.5 per minute (I'm self-pay) for a shrink to question my motivation and commitment. I love the US medical system, I really do. I make my living from medical billing and follow-up.

Thank you so much for your time and information I appreciate it! I was a little nervous but I feel a little more confidence going in. Thank you again very much!!

Passed the psych eval with his recommendation and approval to have the surgery! Just one more nutrition appt to go before being submitted to the insurance for approval of the surgery =)