Psych evaluation required?! Why?

[dlp712 11]

My insurance told me that they had no requirements. That it was up to the doctor as to what I needed.

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[jea(n__n)ette 98]

If you do self pay you don't have to jump through all the hoops.

I'm self pay and also had the psych eval. I think everyone should have a psych eval regardless of payment source, it's important that people are realistic and mentally prepared for a lifestyle change. The perk of being self pay was that my surgeon only asked me to be on Atkins diet for 1 week pre-op to reduce my liver, and my surgery was scheduled quickly, about a month after the initial surgical office consultation.

[shellyd88 463]

Yes it's my understanding that's it pretty standard it wasn't a big deal they seemed to just want to know that u understand the situation and what commitment you need to make for it to work etc

[JupiterinVirgo 846]

Most of us had to go through one of those ordeals to get approved for surgery.

[toastedink 115]

Honestly I've been seeing a psychologist AFTER surgery as well. I recommend it. Sometimes a lot of weight loss can be a little bit of a mind f**k (pardon my French) as EVERYTHING changes.

[Sajijoma 1,324]

Psych evals are standard procedure for most insurance companies. They want to know if you have the mental capacity to deal with everything ahead and the ability to understand how incredibly permanent and life changing this is. It's scary, because you get afraid of "what if I fail" but mine at least wasn't too bad. The psych didn't listen to a word I said then gave me a 100 question test that repeated the same questions over and over but slightly worded different. I'm crazy as as crazy can get but I passed so I wouldn't worry too much! [emoji12]

[toastedink 115]

The psych didn't listen to a word I said then gave me a 100 question test that repeated the same questions over and over but slightly worded different. I'm crazy as as crazy can get but I passed so I wouldn't worry too much! [emoji12]

Haha! Mine too!! And I had to take a gambling test.

[smg 471]

Honestly, its because insurance is paying for it and they want to know if you are just going to waste money. That's the brutal truth. If you do self pay you don't have to jump through all the hoops.

It's not just an insurance requirement, but a requirement by the surgeons themselves. I had to complete one even though I was a self-pay patient. I believe the main reason is to check for severe eating disorders or possible clinical depression.

[BigTink2LilTink 723]

Yup everything said below is why they have you go through the psych evaluation.

Yes. It's pretty standard. They check for eating disorders, support structure, whether you are mentally ready to make the long term lifestyle changes needed to support your surgery.


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[Slim-Shady 79]

I guess I was different all the way around because a psych elvaluation was not required, nor did/do I need it. Really glad it wasn't required because it would have only served to make my wait time longer!

[FLLyssa 27]

Its a process. Most of us did it. No worries its just a small step to your beautiful beginning.

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[OzRoo 1,492]

I had my 100 questions thingy also .... plus 4 visits with my bariatric psychologist pre op.

She even told me to call her if I had any issues during my hospital stay, and she would come and visit me.

I have seen her once or twice post op, and will be seeing her once a month for few months, then possibly less frequently.

My weight loss surgery clinic insists on both pre op and post op bariatric psychologist appointments.

Actually, the clinic has team meetings all the time, to discuss the best option/care/treatment for any patient.

[Read2016 658]

I like what I read about BCBS eliminating the six months thing, do you know where I could read more about that? Had known about the position statement and have been googling... My BCBS policy has 1/5/16.... Haven't been denied yet but am drafting a letter just in case, did mention that position in it.

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[FromHer2Me 6]

They also want to know that you're prepared. My psych asked me to tell her about the procedure and what they physically do (removing 70-80% of the stomach), what the nutritional focus is after surgery (protein), how the diet is structured after surgery (liquids, soft foods, full food), and what Vitamins I'll need to take.

Other than that she just wanted to make sure I don't have any mental or physical issues that would preclude me from having the surgery.

It's relatively painless.

How many sessions dude you have?

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[becomingmandikaye 262]

Just one. It lasted about an hour.