Does anyone know why we are required to have a shrink evaluate us before we have any weight loss surgery??? Do they think we are all crazy?

They dont do that here, but then people arent into therapy here either in the same way. Every man and his dog doesnt have a therapist.

My doc uses the "shrink" to evaluate how compliant we will be after banding. Also to try to pick up any eating disorders.

It's not about being "crazy".

I've wondered the same thing myself when I was trying to get approved through my insurance. Just more red tape to see if there is a way for the insurance to get out of it! Hang in there!

My doc uses the "shrink" to evaluate how compliant we will be after banding. Also to try to pick up any eating disorders.

It's not about being "crazy".

Same here.

It is not about being "crazy" or the insurance company trying to get out of it!

It is because lets face it, we've had an unhealthy relationship with food and that's why we're fat. It is to evaluate to see if you:

1) Have realistic expectations of what will happen after OR

2) Realize that this is only a TOOL and we will have to WORK to lose weight.

3) See if we are really ready to commit to the significant changes we will have to make in our lives.

4) Evaluate if we have significant addictive issues that will need to be addressed as we lose weight.

My surgeon's office requires this routinely. Patients have to meet with a psychologist and take the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) -- a really long multiple choice and / or true-false test.

Ditto what FaithMD said. In addition, my surgeon's office is looking for signs of depression so that it can be treated before patients undergo the surgery, if need be.