Hi all,

I just want to know what happens at the eval? What exactly is the shrink ask?

Sorry if this is a silly question but im just trying to get prepared for every stage.

Tamika :help::cry

Well it depends on the doc you go to. Some have a 500 question test they give you. Mine just talked to me for about 20 min. and said that there is nothing to worry about. (what a relief)

I got a psych eval today. Had to answer a ton of questions on a few tests, which I guess were graded to see how nuts I was. Talked to the shrink for about an hour, paid 500 bucks (she was not covered by insurance!) and was done.

I think it's kind of a joke (or a scam).

Mine just talked and asked about how I, my family and husband feels about all this..

Then he asked me what I would have said to myself as a child, and if I would have hugged me. I got a good kick out of that.. then he told me to watch The Kid.. it's on my to-do list, but I haven't yet.

Mine was $150 if I self-pay but my insurance DID pay that (but not a dime for anything else )

My doctor has a psychologist you can meet with or you can see one of your own choosing. They provided a listing of questions for the psychologist to ask. They want to make sure you understand the surgery, you understand that the lapband is only a tool, that you have a support network, if not how will you cope with that, make sure you are not suicidal, things like that.

I was worried about it too, because lets face it, we must have something in us that gives us a heightened connection with food. My eval went well and they recommended the surgery proceed.

Lauraj23,

I own that movie, THE KID its pretty good. I have to admit i watched it years ago and only the one time but i do remember liking it. Maybe i will dig that VHS TAPE(lmao) up and watch it.

Thanks everyone, im still feeling kinda weirded out by the whole idea. But at least I have any a notion of whats going to happen

Tamika

P.S. Try, try, try to get a shrink that is in network. My eval only cost me $17.50. Me and my wife probably called 50 docs to find one that would take our insurance. The weird part is... he was only one block away from the bariatric center. LOL

She asked about any mental health issues (depression) and any acting out, compulsive behavior, etc. She asked me about my support system (which is mainly my husband). Asked me if I had any history of eating disorders. Asked about my expectations for the band. Asked about my fears/reservations with the band. Asked me to name some non-destructive coping mechanisms and my homework is to find more.

I didn't have to take a test. But she gave me several handouts. One that can help me differentiate between head hunger and real hunger, one with a list of things I can do instead of eat...

I can't remember what else. But it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I was just honest and I have a good handle on things, so it went smoothly and I got a thumbs up for the surgery from her.

I'm worried about mine. I had mine last week. She asked me a lot of questions, if I'm depressed, coping after surgery, emotional support (which is mostly my husband) etc... On the computer test I took before the eval with the shrink, they asked me a lot of religious questions. They were very vague. Most of them were things like "Do you have deep religious beliefs, Do you feel God with give you support for this surgery, etc... Like 15 of them. But all of them seemed really questioning deep religious beliefs. I do believe in God, but don't feel like it surrounds my every day life. So, most of the questions I answered NO. When I got to the eval, she showed me thest. It showed that I had no religious background, and that I should look for other means of emotional support. That's bogus. I do have a religious background, and do believe in God, It's just not an active thing every day that runs my life. UGH! They probably think I'm an athiest. I did question the Dr. about what this had to do with the surgery. She couldn't answer. They mostly want to make sure you're not crazy, and you know what the surgery entails, and that you have support after. She said some people get divorced, start drinking, doing drugs, etc... It changes your life, and some people don't know how to cope. I also told her I don't feel like I would do the drinking, and drugs thing, as it's a problem in my family. My brother is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He's been sober for 1 1/2 years. She did write all this down. Now I feel like I shouldn't have told her all that. I feel like I was honest, and now it may hurt me. Am I being too paranoid? I'm not crazy, and have a wonderful support system (my husb and who I've been married to for 18 years) He's totally supportive of this surgery, as he knows how miserable I am with all this weight, and unhealthy. Have you ever heard of anyone getting denied because of the eval. I'm a little nervous. Oh... and she tried to get me to come back for another appt. saying she does hypnosis, and stuff. I don't really believe in hypnosis. Sounds like maybe she was just trying to make more money off of it. What do you guys think??

Your pysch eval sounds difficult and only partially relevant to what you are about to go through. The doc definitely sounded like they were cruizing for more business.

Did you ask at the end of the session whether they were recommending you for the surgery? I did, and they said yes.

Always be your own advocate and ask the results.

Hi Molly: Thank you so much for responsing. It was quite awkward. I was really surprised at how much religion was involved in this test. Not sure what it has to do with it, but the Dr. said it was because they want you to have support, and feel like if you have a strong faith you have support. Anyway, I did ask... She said she doesn't see any reason why I couldn't do it. Weird answer. She said her only concern was maybe the fact that I am a social eater. Well.... who isn't?? She said I would have to find other things to do with my friends. DUH!! I have researched to death, and am completely aware of what I am giving up. I did not make this decision lightly. I'm banking on it improving my health a great deal.

I would love to know your thoughts on the surgery so far! I know you were just banded in November, but how are you coping so far? I have posted on so many threads, and no one ever responds. I think I had one response. THANK YOU AGAIN!

Hi Molly: Thank you so much for responsing. It was quite awkward. I was really surprised at how much religion was involved in this test. Not sure what it has to do with it, but the Dr. said it was because they want you to have support, and feel like if you have a strong faith you have support. THANK YOU AGAIN!

I can understand that, but there are so many means of support that may not necessarily rely on religious beliefs. When I went to my psych eval, the psychiatrist asked my why I felt I needed to do this. I told her that my main purpose for the surgery was so I could be a better role model for my son. I wanted him to see me eating healthy and exercising so he wouldn't fall into the same routine I used to have. Just looking at him is all the support I need to keep going. It helps that I have the rest of my family in my corner too.

Libra. Thank you for your response. I too believe there are many means of support. I have a wonderful husband in my corner backing me all the way with this. I didn't tell a lot of people, but my Mom seems pretty supportive. My brother not so much. I thought a lot about this, and just want to be a happy healthy person. You've lost a ton of weight. CONGRATULATIONS! 120 lbs is amazing. It's a new life for you! That is so awesome. I'm excited to get started. I too have 100 lbs to lose. A lot of people say you don't get to goal with lapband compared to gastric, and that you only lose about 25-40% of your excess weight. People like you and Harleynana, and others show that is not the case. I'm willing to work as hard as necessary to get there. I hope I too can succeed the way you guys have. :-)

i've just begun my research. i'm going to be self pay. i went to one seminar and unfortunately that surgeon doesn't take self pay patients.

i have a question about the psych eval... i'm a recovering bulimic. i used to binge and purge using laxatives. it's been 8 months since i've purged. will i be turned down? should i not admit to this behavior?

had my pysch eval the other day, it lasted 25 min. turned out he went to school with my sister and he grew up just down the street from where i live ( that discussion lasted about 20 minutes ) the other 5 minutes we takled about my family history.

Luvmy2dogs,

First, I love your name, I love my 2 dogs too. Two goldens....

The surgery so far.... Well, it has been the toughest thing I have ever done. Anyone who thinks this surgery is a cure-all, or the cheaters way out has absolutely no idea of what this surgery is about.

The lap-band is a way of life, and you need to work it every day. If you don't work it every day, you will not have the results of folks who lose 100+ pounds. To date, I have struggled to work the band every day. I am not going to lie, I am thrilled with a 30 lb weight loss, but a lot of the folks who were banded about the time I was have lost a LOT MORE than me. I have not been religious about physical activity/working out, and I have eaten things I shouldn't have. But, I am also sure that had I not had the band, I would probably be 10 pounds heavier than I was pre-op. I am determined to lose my 120 pounds. I will lose it slowly, which is okay because slow is as healthy as fast.

The things I have difficulty with: my Dr goes very slow with the fills. I have only had one on a 14cc band and I literally have little to no restriction. The good part of this is that it makes me have to do some of the work, it isn't all the band. My life resembles a more "normal" life in regards to food. This will change as my fills come. Next, I need to be better about Water. You really need to focus on getting lots of water in between meals and not during. This has been difficult for me because I am a water hound and I really want to drink when I eat. Next, small bites and chew it a lot. At first I was very good with this. I have slackened in this area and as another fill lumes in my future, I really need to focus on this. When we were doing a good job at this, putting the fork down in between bites was really helpful too. Social eating is SUPER difficult. At the risk of sounding braggy, I am an excellent cook and our house is the hub of our family. I am always cooking for a lot of people and it is hard not to indulge in baby back pork ribs cooked to perfection, or the other dinners and appetizers I make. My husband and I also love wine which we have at social gatherings.

The hardest things for me are exercise and social eating. I really need to get consistent with exercise. I have used every excuse in the book to not do it, some valid (injured knee and ankle), some invalid (to tired from work). I need some one to kick me in the butt...