What is the psych eval like?

[LoserMama 37]

Mine is next week, I am nervous.

[ILKrista 36]

For mine, I met with a psychologist & she asked me a bunch of questions about my eating habits & life in general. Her opinion was that I was depressed & should be medicated... my opinion was that I was depressed because of my weight & how it was effecting my life. I don't like to take medication unless absolutely necessary. The diagnosis of depression wasn't something that would put off my having surgery, which was my fear. I then had to come back in for a 2 hour written psych exam. They ask a question & give you options & you have to fill it in. The questions were all over from religion to general opinions on things. Apparently the purpose of this exam is to make sure that you are not mentally ill & are capable of making this major decision. Most people have no problem passing these exams. I have heard of a couple people who had doctors who failed people because they had eating addictions, etc, which seems pretty foolish to me, since most of us have eating addictions or we wouldn't be in this position. Good luck!

[Driver Deb 10]

Mine was easy. We talked for about a half hour about my life and my eating habits and I am sure she was looking to see if I was taking personal responsibility for my weight problem... not blaming someone or something else for me being the way I made me...

They want to make sure you are making this decision with a clear, sound mind.

[LindaS 316]

For my psych exam, we talked for about a half hour. She did sort of a family history and asked about weight issues with my parents, siblings and children. She asked me about the surgery (to see if I understood it), and she asked about why I selected this particular surgery. It was very conversational.

When she was done with that, I went into another room and took some type of personality test. It was about 200 questions, and they were all true/false. The first one was "I like to read mechanic's magazines." I remember that because it was such a weird question.

[Mabalb 0]

Mine was such a joke! It was a scan tron (fill in the bubble) paper test that I took home to fill out. Thankfully I consider myself emotionally stable but I don't think they should do those because I'm sure there are some who should have a true clinical evaluation.

[smallgirlsxthree 23]

I was sooo nervous for mine too, but I had my self worked up way more than I needed to be!! I had to fill out the million bubble questionnaires, and then we "talked" for about an hour. The psychologist I had was so nice he almost seemed too good to be true lol. The questions were weird, but it's not as bad as you think it will be. Answer them honestly and it won't take very long. Good luck and hope all goes well for you!

[longer-life 139]

In my case I filled out a form in the reception area with some easy questions in regards to family etc. Then we talked for about 15 minutes. He asked about my family, marriage, religiousness, details about the surgery & hobbies. After that I answered a 10 minute computerized true or false questionnaire that again asked about the same subjects.

He was obviously trying to figure out if I had lied. So much so that one of the computerized questions was "Are you answering these questions truthfully?"

Don't worry too much about it. I had had a rough morning with my daughter right before my appointment and I cried when he asked about my family life. I was VERY concerned that I was not going to "pass", but I did! Below is a link about that. The responses I got will help you feel more at ease. Best wishes!

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/24822-i-might-have-screwed-up-the-whole-thing/page__p__210075__hl__cried__fromsearch__1#entry210075

[LoserMama 37]

Thanks to replies here and the links and PMs as well.

I am trying to remain focused on the positive I expect to get out of this and be truthful but focused on having my own reason, having support, having realistic expectations of what the surgery will and won't do, how to manage the changes. I think i can point out my "win" of the Living with Diabetes award from the regional diabetes clinic as proof that I can be compliant and knowledgeable about my surgery. I do worry about what constitutes food addiction....and to get to this weight, don't most of us have some kind of crappy relationship with food?

[illgeturhairdid 176]

I was actually a little irritated by my eval. I paid my $50 copay and sat on a very uncomfortable couch for a whopping total of MAYBE 15 minutes. He asked about my family, asked me what my plans were for after surgery, asked me what i knew of the risks associated with the surgery. But hey, I'd have paid $100 if it is what I had to do to move forward! You will be fine!

[Felicia 28]

I'm glad you posted this I am worried about mine too. I was referred by my surgeon though. I am not 100% sure but I would think if I am referred they would "want" to say yes. More money for the surgeon who in turn just gave them some money too. I know it's politics but hey heres to hoping =]

[LoserMama 37]

I wish I got 15 min on the couch. They told me to plan on THREE HOURS.