Pysch Eval Tomorrow 03/13

[jen043454 10]

Hi All,

I have my psych eval tomorrow at 2:45 pm. I'm a bit nervous (not really sure why?) and not sure what to expect. When I spoke with my PCP, she said there was a "standard set of questions" they ask. I googled it, but couldn't find any results?

I feel like a kid cheating on homework. LOL. I just don't want to be dumbfounded and not know what to say and have them ultimately decide I'm "not mentally or emotionally ready" for the surgery.

Besides telling me to relax and breathe (I'm repeating those two things to myself over and over again), anyone have any words of wisdom?

Thanks!

-Jen

[mandagay 93]

I think basically they just want to check u don't have unreal expectations (like thinking u will have the surgery n never have to diet or exercise etcc)

[jen043454 10]

Well, that's what I had thought at first too, but I spoke with a woman briefly in the elevator at the orientation, who said she was denied twice by the psych eval because they thought she was emotionally unstable and couldn't handle the stress of recovery... She ended with "Well it's a good thing that insurance doesn't require that anymore, huh?"

Too bad mine does. LOL

[mandagay 93]

Oh well I was on the phone with mine for like three min so idk

[twi 40]

It's not really anything they just want to make sure you have real expectations. I knw people on here that have mentail disorders that they passed. If you think you can do this and understand its not a miracle that you still have to work at it you be fine.

[xavier 153]

They just want to see that you have dieted successfully in the past and know the basics of what is realistic to expect (you dont wake up a size 6)...be honest and you will be fine! Its almost just a checklist type of formality so they can say they did it.

[GLove 44]

My psych exam consisted of two visits. The first was a 550 questionnaire exam. And the second was a 10 minute one on one with the Psychiatrist. I was so nervous, but they were both a breeze. The questionnaire was like:

Have you ever enjoyed smashing bugs when you were a child

Do you hate your father?

Do you have an interest is forestry as a profession?

The questions were bizarre but must mean something when they run it thru their analyzing machine. You could clearly see the pattern of questions and what they were after....

The visit with the Doc was nothing. She basically asked me the same questions they asked on the form they had me fillout when I checked in.

All that worry for nothing!

[jen043454 10]

I was told that I should arrive at 2.45 and expect to be done around 4.00. I'm hoping for the best, that's all I can do.

I have to be honest though... if I were asked if I'd consider forestry as a profession, I'd probably hand them my resume as being a student doesn't pay all that great

As always, thank you for the support everyone!

[Jerseygirl82 18]

My psych eval was a laugh. As he was filling out my papers he saw that I am a special education teacher and he spent the whole time telling me about his nephew who has autism.

[journey4me 23]

I know one of the reasons they do the psych eval. is because some people who have underlying reasons for their eating disorder/habits may need counseling before and or after the surgery to deal with the issues that may have gotten them to this point. It will be fine. It was kind of like going to the principals office. Nerve racking, but it's all good! You will be fine!

[ElizabethAnne 40]

Mine was a lengthy but pleasant evaluation. I was told it would take about 3 hours. I first talked with the psychologist for about an hour. Although she asked several questions, she was very nice and it felt like we were simply chatting. After she finished interviewing me, she led me down the hallway to a room with computers. Next, I took an assessment on the computer (the MMPI, I think), which took about another hour.

The psychologist told me I was the ideal candidate for the lap band, which increased my confidence.

[jen043454 10]

I had my eval today - it was really nothing to get all stressed over (like I did, lol)

For anyone who is wondering what it's like, for me (I'm sure most places are different):

-Medical History

-Write a brief page explaining why you should have surgery

-Write 1/2 page on each topic: What are the conerns and risks of surgery? What is the expected weight loss?

-Psych/Emotional history

The psychiatrist asked me a bunch of questions, some which I actually giggled about. They ranged from "what is your emotional connection with food and diets?" to "what's your favorite color?" to "what's the worst thing you've ever done?"

my responce was: 1) I like the taste of food, my parents had me "clean my plate" when I was a kid, when I'm stressed I graze. 2) Teal, beause I'm too indecisive to pick between blue and green. 3) Do you really expect me to tell the truth? How about I admit to speeding on my way over here!

All in all, the eval was nice and painless. I want to let other people who are worried about the eval because of whatever reason know - I was told that they do NOT deny someone who has a history of mental illness, depression or behavioral issues. I was told that they are only worried about providing the right care to patients who have those (or other) isssues/symptoms/history.

I was very happy with the eval and assume that it went well.

Cheers!