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Psych evaluation- what is it like?

GigiLane

By GigiLane, in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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GigiLane    19

GigiLane
Posted

Hi all- I'm new to the forum and I was wondering what the psych evaluation is like. I searched the threads and saw that some people were able to do the evaluation online and speak to counselor or psychiatrist.

What questions do they ask?

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katanne    215

katanne
Posted

I was asked what my understanding of the surgery was (i.e., that getting sleeved involves removal of most of the stomach but no banding or rerouting), what the potential risks and complications are, what the progression of liquids/foods would be afterwards, etc. Just to make sure I knew what I was getting into, basically. Then she asked me who my support people would be and how I could cope with stress without eating. Then she asked about my psych history, starting with whether or not I'd ever had a substance abuse problem and from there to whether or not I'd ever had a mood disorder. I do have a mood disorder, so she got the contact information for my psychiatrist and psychologist and called them to verify that I was treatment-compliant, mentally ready for surgery, and went to all my appointments.

It was all pretty straightforward and MUCH less stressful than I thought it would be.

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betterme38    275

betterme38
Posted

Mine asked how my childhood was I said good he asked about my understanding of the surgery and my support. I did take like 3-4 tests before talking to him they were mandated but all in all not as bad as I thought and I was freaking out thinking I wasn't goin home lol they were gonna put me in a straight jacket n take me away, yea I get a bit worked up lol you will be fine ????

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Dub    10,065

Dub
Posted

Hi all- I'm new to the forum and I was wondering what the psych evaluation is like. I searched the threads and saw that some people were able to do the evaluation online and speak to counselor or psychiatrist.

What questions do they ask?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Mine was a great experience.

It was like talking to a friend.

She was very supportive and kind.

She'd had me watch several videos she made first. The content and manner of how she presented her info in these videos was highly educational and thought provoking. They really helped me formulate my gameplan well before our visit.

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BigBuc    13

BigBuc
Posted

After I spoke with the therapist I had to answer a written multiple choice questionnaire. Over 450 questions!

One I remember is "do you feel like you are being tested?"

I'm thinking, "well, aren't I?"

In the end, she wrote her diagnosis which was exactly what I said about myself... I guess I know myself pretty well. If I didn't live 100 miles from anywhere, I'd have enjoyed it. But driving 4 hours round trip kind of took any fun out of it... One week until my surgery still...

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GigiLane    19

GigiLane
Posted

@@Dub thanks so much. It's good to know it was a positive experience. I still have awhile to go since I just stared the process with my dr. Had blood work done then setting up a follow up to get the ball rolling. I'm looking forward to it, i wish I would have considered WLS years ago. I can't wait to look back on this 6-12 months post op. Thank so much for your response.

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GigiLane    19

GigiLane
Posted

@vsgalabma thank you, everyone's responses have def calmed me! I'm still at the beginning stage- talked to my dr and had labs done. Lol I just want to be as well-informed as possible :)

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BigBuc    13

BigBuc
Posted

@@betterme38 lol thanks so much I was concerned about them making me feel victimized for being overweight or lazy. It's a stressful process already and didn't want I feel like the pysch eval was impossible. :)

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My gp is an idiot. Ex-army doc, about 15-20 years my junior. He was who I used during my 6 month weight loss /exercise plan required by insurance. That was cheaper than anything else. I live in the high Hill Country of Texas, 30 miles from the doc.

He made everything more difficult than necessary. The daily caloric amount and the exercise... Heck, I had two months without losing a pound. I lost a total of 30 lbs in 6 months. I completed the six months at Christmas. After that I gained 20 lbs, because I'm a fat person... Then I needed to lose that 20. Unsupervised I lost it in about a week using my tried and true method... I can lose weight like crazy... Can't keep it off.

Anyway, my gp wanted do treat me like boot camp I think... The printed diet he gave me had UNLIMITED KETCHUP!

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Dawnie Doo    184

Dawnie Doo
Posted

Hi all- I'm new to the forum and I was wondering what the psych evaluation is like. I searched the threads and saw that some people were able to do the evaluation online and speak to counselor or psychiatrist.

What questions do they ask?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I LOVED my psych evaluation. I'm a therapist so I walked in thinking she couldn't tell me anything new. I was soooo wrong! She asked questions about my history as a child related to my weight, my support system, family history, etc. I actually realized that, although family was present, they weren't very supportive at all. My evaluation was very eye opening. I will go back after the surgery, I'm sure!

Dawnie_doo

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Dub    10,065

Dub
Posted

@@Dub thanks so much. It's good to know it was a positive experience. I still have awhile to go since I just stared the process with my dr. Had blood work done then setting up a follow up to get the ball rolling. I'm looking forward to it, i wish I would have considered WLS years ago. I can't wait to look back on this 6-12 months post op. Thank so much for your response.

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Not even 6 months out here and there is no part of my life that isn't better now.

You are going to love the experience.

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texasnurse    7

texasnurse
Posted

At my psych eval the doctor asked mostly about my understanding of my surgery and if I was depressed or had ever been depressed to the point of needing medication. He made sure that I had family support. I was told that the appt was going to take close to an hour but I was out of there in less than 20 minutes. It was quick and easy.

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BigBuc    13

BigBuc
Posted

Hi all- I'm new to the forum and I was wondering what the psych evaluation is like. I searched the threads and saw that some people were able to do the evaluation online and speak to counselor or psychiatrist.

What questions do they ask?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I LOVED my psych evaluation. I'm a therapist so I walked in thinking she couldn't tell me anything new. I was soooo wrong! She asked questions about my history as a child related to my weight, my support system, family history, etc. I actually realized that, although family was present, they weren't very supportive at all. My evaluation was very eye opening. I will go back after the surgery, I'm sure!

Dawnie_doo

I'm not a therapist, but I enjoyed mine too, aside from the 450+ multiple guess quiz. The final written result was exactly what I'd said about myself. Hah... I'm old enough to know myself I guess.

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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