How long was everyones psych eval is you had to have one??

I got there at 7:50 am, in almost immediately and didn't get out til 12:30!!

The worst part was the little block puzzles, I felt like SUCH a complete moron.

The psychologist i went to said I didn't look big enough to have weight loss surgery :cool2: Kind of a spirit uplifter, and he said I was cute as a bug. We spent most of the hour talking about friends we both knew. Small world we live in. It would of been over quickly except we kept talking about stuff like that :biggrin: Very nice man. I wish my therapist did the psych eval would of saved me 60$ :biggrin:

mine was only an hour, but 18 months out, I should have taken it more seriously. 3 months into my band, I left my wife of 10 years for obvious reasons. Got invovled with someone else. Then some more as I lost weight even more. in May of this year things got out of control and I tried to kill myself. THen in Sept. I tried to do it again. Spent some time in the hospital, now my band is messed up because of what I did. And my life is no better. So please take your eval seriously. I have lost 180 lbs total with the band.

Only an hour, and he asked if I felt the need to come back, that I could. Nice guy here in Fort Wayne. Seeing as how I'm the 4th in my family to get this surgery done, i think I'm a bit prepared for what's going to happen...

Wow, everyone who has posted seems to have had an extensive psych eval. Mine lasted maybe an hour, more like 45 minutes. She was a prior gastric bypass patient from 13 yrs ago. She mainly asked me a lot of questions about my history, both medical and personal. She asked me what prompted me to want to get the lap band done and why now? She stressed the importance of continuing the exercise and really paying attention to what I'm eating. Then she referred a couple of books to me and I was done. I'm assuming I passed because she told me that she thought I was going to do very well with the lap band and asked me for a check for my copay. LOL.

Wow, everyones experience is so different!

I am scheduled for my psych eval on 11/18 (surgery 12/18). I was told a 1/2 hour for the actual appt, then 15 mins or so for the dr to type the report....aka "is she or isn't she crazy"?

My biggest fear is that my fear will make me sound nuts. I have no clue what to expect, but it is a good part of the process.

LOVED my bariatric psychologist and I will definitely go see her again if/when I need it after surgery.

My face to face meeting with her was about an hour long. She gave me about four tests to do at home prior to coming to meet with her and those took about an hour as well.

She was really up-beat and positive and I really really liked her. I feel like I have another tool in my shed to help me get the weight off along with the band.

eta: My eval consisted of a lot of questions meant to find out if I have a binge eating disorder, suffer from emotional eating or untreated depression and whether or not I will be likely to be able to stick to the postop diet and change the way I relate to food.

Edited November 3, 200817 yr by gentylwind

My evaluation was a little over two hours and mostly consisted of a life history; my struggles with weight loss; family, cultural, educational, and career background; but no actual tests, etc. Also discussion of my goals and whether they are realistic.

The most interesting thing I realized as I left her office was that I had completely left out a significant childhood trauma and instead only shared a portion of my "psych issues".

Didn't want to come off as too wacky yanno?? :tongue:

mine was an hour or so, lots of talking. I was cleared then got a phone call a week later because they saw I had been to the emergency room for diverticulosis and had told the on call dr. that I had been having multiple anxiety attacks... I was recovering from a broken leg and had been out of work, broke and trapped in the house for 3 months or so and was going stir crazy... I had to do 3 sessions with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist,, which turned out to be one of the best things I could have done.. It really didn't even delay the process either.. I have much better control over what I choose to stress over, and am more able to sort through and process lifes wonderful calamities without losing as much sleep and getting stressed,, which causes me to graze...

I agree they take way to long!!

My appointment lasted about 2 hours. That included 40 questions I had to answer first. I have never seen so many different ways that asked if I ever thought of committing suicide. When I finally talked to the doc I think she was more interested in hearing her own voice.

I had to take a 1000 word test the first time then go back to be grilled a second time. I am glad it is OVER

Well, I guess I am thankful to be private pay. No psych eveal, no problem.

Of course, I had to take a couple going into seminanary, a couple going up for ordination, and a couple more when I decided to back out.

Anyone who has ever taken the MMPI (I think that's the Minnisota Multiphasic Psychological Inventory) you know just how painful a psych eval can be. The MMPI seemed to be chock-full of questions like "do you often think about your bowel movements," and "do your genitals speak to you."

I am glad not to be forced to take any more.

Ut-oh...I might be in serious trouble because my genitals *do* speak to me.

I am private pay and the surgeon still required the psych eval. Just wanted to put that out there. Private pay does not mean no psych eval.

My doctor required a visit to a psychotherapist. The one I chose actually had bariatric bypass herself. We talked for about 90 minutes on many things like relationships, my childhood, and my reasons for wanting the surgery. She even gave me homework : to research addiction transferance, designate a "get real" friend, sort my clothes by season and size, sample everything that you'll be allowed to eat for the first few weeks after the surgery, etc. We found my "triggers' for mindlessly eating (why do I have to eat while I watch TV???) and I am starting to do counted cross stitch again and I'm going to set up my stained glass work area again...can't eat when I do either of those. All in all I passed and she wrote her report. She told me that it is all for the Insurance company and using the right phrases. I am done with all my pre-appointments...just waiting for the surgery date...and I should know hopefully tomorrow!! :-) I am so hoping for Nov. 20...wish me luck! :rolleyes2:

By the way, this therapist will meet with me 3 more times: a month after banding, at 3 months, and at 9 months. She will make sure I have support as I change emotionally as well as physically.

Edited November 6, 200817 yr by ncmagnolia