I am on my way to getting approved for WLS and met with the psychologist on Wednesday and am going back today for my 2nd (and hopefully final) session. I am not sure if every doctor requires a psych exam, but mine does. So I am wondering, have any of you had a not-so positive response from your doctor based on your psych eval? Like a postponement of surgery or a requirement to see the psychologist a few more times prior to scheduling, etc?
I am probably over-reacting, but I am so desperate for this surgery, I don't want anything to postpone it any further. This is my last step before everything is submitted to my insurance.
I'm not considering WLS but I wanted to comment that I'm really pleased to hear there are drs requiring counseling. I know it's not a comfort to you right now but you may end up being glad about it later.
I think the whole thing can very likely be summed up by your statement: "but I am so desperate for this surgery". The counselors probably want to make sure that you are seeing the "big picture" and have a realistic view of potential results, the lifestyle changes you will have to make for continued success, and are not ignoring risks.
Maybe try to relax a little (easy for me to say, I know. sorry.) and go ahead and attend a few counseling sessions. Ask lots and lots of questions and really pay attention to the answers. Then make sure the counselors understand that you don't expect to wake up from the surgery pounds lighter and be your goal weight in a month.
as YoYo pointed out, it's about preparing you for AFTER the surgery. Most of weight gain is emotional. You need to work that out before hand. Yes, you will lose weight, but you want to keep it off too.
Take a note book. Take notes. Look at it as a learning session
Bubba, I don't personally know anybody who has failed the psych evaluation. I'd say we are all desperate by the time we get to place you are. So if it was a requirement that we not be desperate...none of us would ever pass. I wish you the best on your journey.
I agree with Magi...those of us that got to this point of desperation, who had truly educated ourselves about the good and bad of surgery, who are aware of the pitfalls of the emotional aspects of our overeating, who wouldn't take this step lightly...they would not fail the evaluation.
relax and get the most out of it you can. I had a year of counseling before and 5 months after surgery and I think it made it possible for me to accept the change, feel like I deserved the change and kept me for cross addicting...over all a very good experience.
I wasn't required by my doctor or insurance to have a psychiatric eval., but those that I know who have had counseling seem to have done really well with emotional issues that relate to food. And for most of us who are morbidly obese, food has been used to choked out our whole life and well being, then counseling is really a great gift! I still don't know why I over eat specifically, probably a phlethora of things. I use food as "foedication" (food used to medicate myself). I don't know anyone who has failed an eval, but I know of a couple who had to continue with their counseling because of the eval.
I wish I could have continued with counseling post op. it takes a lot of work to not use food as a crutch a lot! YOu will do fine. One thing I really had to work on was my obsession with food. . .and it was obsession. I stopped watching the food network checking out recipe sites, and I keep my in depth cookingi to a bare minimum. Veggie burgers turkey burgers things that can be made fast but healthy and salads
but mentally I had to break the thought that food was a friend. . .its just food.
Bubbalu, I am in the same spot you are. I am on the last lef to be able to submit everything to the insurance. My program required a psych eval. I did not pass with flying colors and there are things to be worked out in my relationship with food. I love the way the program that I am going through approaches the evals though. They say they are not something to find out whether or not you can have surgery but they are a tool to help you through the whole process and tailor things to meet your needs better so that you can be successful. Good luck and I will see you on the Losers Bench.
My clinic and insurance both have a requirement for a psych eval. I've already been seeing a psychiatrist for social anxiety issues, so we just spent a normal session talking about the surgery -- maybe 15 minutes on the subject. Since he knows me pretty well, it was mostly a formality, to make sure I undrstand the risks and expectations.
Right now, I believe two things: 1) That, a month-or-so pre-op, I have a good an understanding of the reality of the situation 2) that post-op, I will realize that I didn't. I say that tongue-in-cheek, of course.
I've been through all the hurdles up to this point. I'm waiting for a call on Monday that my insurance has approved me (or not, which is a story in itself), and scheduled for a "final" pre-op evaluation on Sept 8, which could mean in theory having RNY on 9/22 or thereabouts.
i had to take like a written test. i saw the dr the first visit, then i took the written test. it as questions like "do i want to hurt myself, or anybody else?" "do you take drugs?" stuff like that.
My Dr and I have just talked about my life and how I will handle everything. I have been to her three times so far and after the third session she said she would write a good evaluation as she was sure I understood all that was going to happen and that I could not use food to comfort me when I was depressed, angry etc. However she still wants me to continue to see her even after I have my surgery to help me through the first month after the surgery known as lapband ****. I hope soon I get a date as I have finished all my eval now. Good luck tomorrow and don't sweat it I am sure you will do fine.
Amanda C
Anyone fail their psych eval?
) and go ahead and attend a few counseling sessions. Ask lots and lots of questions and really pay attention to the answers. Then make sure the counselors understand that you don't expect to wake up from the surgery pounds lighter and be your goal weight in a month. 
