Psych Evaluation

[Dibley Dawn 84]

Hi all, I am new here. I have been kind of wresting with the decision to do this for over a year and I have finally started the process of making appointments and attending seminars. My consult with the doctor is next month, but my psych eval is next week. I was kind of wondering a. if it is normal for a psych eval to come almost a month before the initial surgical consult and b. is there anything that i could say to the psychiatrist that would make him NOT approve me for this surgery.

Your answers are greatly appreciated.

[agdunkle 3]

my psych eval was after my initial doctor's visit, but that's just what my surgeon required. It seems like some people on here get their psych eval months before. It just depends on what your doctor usually does.

As far as what to tell them, just be honest. When i had my eval, I was very honest and it actually allowed the dr to see some patterns and habits in my life that may make my lap band unsuccessful if continued. It also let them see that I was really ready for this surgery.

[Dibley Dawn 84]

my psych eval was after my initial doctor's visit, but that's just what my surgeon required. It seems like some people on here get their psych eval months before. It just depends on what your doctor usually does.

As far as what to tell them, just be honest. When i had my eval, I was very honest and it actually allowed the dr to see some patterns and habits in my life that may make my lap band unsuccessful if continued. It also let them see that I was really ready for this surgery.

Thanks so much for you response. Did you have to see the psychologist more than one time? Or just once? I thought that perhaps because the eval was so far ahead of the consult that he may want to see me more than once. I have never been to a psychiatrist before for any reason, so i am nervous on top of being nervous if you know what i mean

[TKW 501]

My psyc eval was early on in the process. I only had to see her one time. I agree, just be honest. I filled out a questionaire, she looked at it, we talked for 20 minutes and I was good to go. It was a cake walk! Good luck to you!

[Dibley Dawn 84]

My psyc eval was early on in the process. I only had to see her one time. I agree, just be honest. I filled out a questionaire, she looked at it, we talked for 20 minutes and I was good to go. It was a cake walk! Good luck to you!

Thanks, this info is certainly helping to calm me down.

[agdunkle 3]

Thanks so much for you response. Did you have to see the psychologist more than one time? Or just once? I thought that perhaps because the eval was so far ahead of the consult that he may want to see me more than once. I have never been to a psychiatrist before for any reason, so i am nervous on top of being nervous if you know what i mean

I only had 1, and honestly it took forever! We talked for a few hours and then i had to fill out a questionaire. I plan to see the pyschologist again if I start to waiver from his behavior changing advice because he really Enlightened me to what I was dealing with in my mind.

For insurance purposes I had 1 psych visit, 1 nutritionist visit, I attended a seminar on my own accord, and 1 visit with the doctor.

[Dibley Dawn 84]

I only had 1, and honestly it took forever! We talked for a few hours and then i had to fill out a questionaire. I plan to see the pyschologist again if I start to waiver from his behavior changing advice because he really Enlightened me to what I was dealing with in my mind.

For insurance purposes I had 1 psych visit, 1 nutritionist visit, I attended a seminar on my own accord, and 1 visit with the doctor.

My surgeon is the one who is requring me to have the psych eval, the nutritionist and seminar. My insurance only requires that I have over 40 BMI. I don't have to have 6 months diet history or anything like that (unless the doctor requires it...soooo i'm hoping he doesn't require it because i don't have it on paper...and i am without a general doctor at the moment due to an insurance company change that my old doctor does not accept. )

I am hoping that i can do the 1 visit to each of them and get something scheduled. my consult with the doctor is April 12th and it is taking forever to get here.

[ElfiePoo 109]

My psych eval was about a month before surgery as well. As everyone else said...be honest. I know a woman who lied to the psychiatric about being a bulimic because she knew it would most likely disqualify her for the band until she got help for the bulimia. She did not stop her bulimic behavior after being banded and ended up with band erosion and permanent loss of her band.

Keep in mind that they aren't looking for a way to keep you from getting the band. They're looking for things that might cause you to be unsuccessful and that need to be worked on/aware of...even after being banded.

.

[Dibley Dawn 84]

Well, I will be totally truthful, and the truth is that I eat all the time and I never get full. I sometimes discover myself eating and I don't even remember grabbing the food in the first place. At work, I try to stick to eating Breakfast, then eating lunch and not snacking in between...but when i get home, some kind of devil mind gnome takes over my body and I just eat and eat and eat. If I am not paying attention, I can completely consume a bag of chips, or box of Cookies, or whatever. That's the truth.