Psych eval

[Gege1061]

So I'm almost at the finish line. psych eval on Tuesday. Anything I should know about or be aware of? I'm sure it's nothing but I sometimes hear people get denied because of psych. Just wondering why????

Gege

[Christie13]

The questions are weird and stupid but I guess they want to see if you lie. Like some of my questions were "So and so is your favorite artist." I also noticed that they would ask you similar questions or ask the same question later on another page. I also think they want to make sure you are not depressed and can handle the stress of the surgery. I had no issues passing it.

[WannaBeALoser]

I was fortunate in that I was able to use my regular counselor who I used during my divorce. So she already knew me. Her biggest thing was making sure I understood the surgery and that it's a tool to lose weight, not a magic solution. And, she wanted to make sure I understood the risks and that this is a lifetime change...not just a temporary thing.

[Pheeel21]

I actually enjoyed the Psych eval process. It gives you an insight of yourself you may not realize. Be absolutely honest. My Psychologist is great, I enjoy speaking with her. Don't be worried at all.

[Ann2]

I found the process interesting. I took a battery of several tests -- I remember it was a total of 600 questions. Why wouldn't I like it? It was all about ME!

The psychologist is looking for red flags like unaddressed eating disorders, mental illness or life stresses and the degree of family support available to the patient, patient's expectations for WLS (and misunderstandings about its "magicality,"), etc.

You might just consider it a way to gain more insights about your resources to change your lifestyle. Because that's what you need to do post-op -- change your lifestyle permanently.

I hope it's an enjoyable experience for you. Breathe! (Always good advice.)

[Christie13]

I found the process interesting. I took a battery of several tests -- I remember it was a total of 600 questions. Why wouldn't I like it? It was all about ME!

The psychologist is looking for red flags like unaddressed eating disorders, mental illness or life stresses and the degree of family support available to the patient, patient's expectations for WLS (and misunderstandings about its "magicality,"), etc.

You might just consider it a way to gain more insights about your resources to change your lifestyle. Because that's what you need to do post-op -- change your lifestyle permanently.

I hope it's an enjoyable experience for you. Breathe! (Always good advice.)

Well you explained it WAY better than I did. LOL.

[Ann2]

Well you explained it WAY better than I did. LOL.

That's how I feel when I read so many of YOUR answers.

[RehabNurse]

During my psychological evaluation, the psychologist essentially asked about my upbringing with a laser focus on any childhood trauma or adverse experiences that may have taken place.

She asked about my usual eating habits and food preferences. She asked if I was making changes to my habits to prepare for surgery.

She also asked about my living situation and whether or not I had social support to reinforce the lifestyle changes that bariatric surgery required.

She asked about my motivations for seeking bariatric surgery, wondering why I didn't just "stop eating when I wasn't hungry." She was a thin person who'd probably never been obese, so in all probability she'd never realize my physical hunger was ravenous and I was hungry all the time.

She probed about my relationship history and wondered aloud why I wasn't actively dating at that time. I shared my personal experience of dating being more challenging as an obese woman compared to when I was smaller. She agreed with me.

She also asked about my career, goals, and educational level.

Since I once worked in psych, I know how the psych eval is compiled. She probably listed my strengths (college degree, professional career, realistic insight, having sought professional help in the past) against my pitfalls (childhood trauma, living alone, poor habits) to make a recommendation.

Honesty is your best policy. The psychologist prefers that you admit to overeating than, "I eat 1000 calories a day and can't lose weight!"

The psychologist is simply weeding out any undiagnosed behavioral health issues and problems with insight regarding how you came to be an obese person who arrived at the point of needing bariatric surgery.

[Tamera2]

I imagine the Phych eval is to make sure your really ready to make the nesessary changes for success. If a person doesn’t or can’t the Sleeve will fail. Good luck

[Stacey03]

I found the process interesting. I took a battery of several tests -- I remember it was a total of 600 questions. Why wouldn't I like it? It was all about ME!

The psychologist is looking for red flags like unaddressed eating disorders, mental illness or life stresses and the degree of family support available to the patient, patient's expectations for WLS (and misunderstandings about its "magicality,"), etc.

You might just consider it a way to gain more insights about your resources to change your lifestyle. Because that's what you need to do post-op -- change your lifestyle permanently.

I hope it's an enjoyable experience for you. Breathe! (Always good advice.)

Such a great reply Ann! I think all of these things help :-)

[RehabNurse]

I imagine the Phych eval is to make sure your really ready to make the nesessary changes for success. If a person doesn’t or can’t the Sleeve will fail.

Or, better yet, the sleeve won't fail. However, the person will fail the sleeve if the appropriate lifestyle changes aren't implemented.

In 95 percent of cases the sleeve doesn't fail, but people definitely fail to work their sleeves to obtain maximal results. Unfortunately, these are the same folks who gripe that "my sleeve didn't work."

Nope...in all likelihood, they didn't work their sleeve but lack the insight and introspection to admit that perhaps they didn't adhere to the plan or tweak it to their advantage. It's all about being honest with oneself, IMHO.

[Gege1061]

Always a wealth of good information! Many thanks to you all. I admit, I was going to try to give the "right" answers but, seeing that you all recommend honesty I will just relax and answer the questions. This testing portion before surgery has been fascinating. I've already gotten to see a dietician and had my stomach biopsied. I think right before surgery will be the healthiest time of my life as they have examined me every which way possible.
2 more appointments tomorrow and I'm done til pre-op. It's getting real. Thanks again.

Gege

[LKuhns]

Don't worry about the Psych evaluation. Something would have to be really off with someone in order not to pass it. I agree with what everyone else said about it. I also think they just want to be sure you are of sound mind and body and able to make such a big decision. Just answer the questions honestly and simply. My Psychologist even told me not to over analyze or try to read too much into the questions. They are not trying to trick you or anything.

[sraebaer]

No worries, it was fun. When I asked him years later if he had ever denied anyone, he said yes, people with serious mental illnesses.

He was my biggest cheerleader in the group! My surgeon had to tell me that stupid line that sleeve patients will lose 70% of their weight. When discussing my lifestyle with the psychiatrist, and telling him I enjoyed walking, he said, "Well then you'll lose all your weight!" He was right.

[Gege1061]

Many thanks to you all. I always feel better after asking questions.