Psyche eval....

WillPower · October 14, 2004

what is that all about? What do they ask you?

leatha_g · October 14, 2004

Welcome neighbor!

The psych eval is basically to make sure that the patient does indeed understand the scope of the surgery, what type of changes one will have to make as far as eating behaviors and I suppose to declare them competent enough to make the decision as it is a lifestyle changing surgery.

In some cases, the Dr tells you who to use specifically and they utilize a battery of questions and tests to make this determination. In my case, I was allowed to contact a counselor of my choosing and basically, I educated him on the band vs gastric bypass and why I felt I needed the surgery. We discussed my weight issues and my emotional issues from the past and had a good discussion regarding the possibility this surgery has to offer and what a positive impact it could make on my life. He wrote a summary of his estimations based on that visit and it was sent in with my insurance requests for surgery. Mostly, they are looking to see if you are competent to make this decision, dedicated enough to follow through once you've had it and not too depressed or emotionally unstable to understand the consequences of having the surgery.

Some folks have had to take MMPI tests which take hours. I would opt for locating my own counselor if you have the choice to do so.

Good luck to you!

New Hope · October 14, 2004

My insurance co. required it. I think it's just to see that you don't have any unreal expectations and that you do plan on doing your part to work w/ the band. Mine was a 5 page questionaire (multiple choice). A lot of the ?? are the same, just in various forms. Then a very brief talk / the psy. It seemed he had preset ?? to ask, pretaining to weight loss. Definitely no big deal. It's tempting to give smart-aleck answers, but not advisable. LOL You'll do great!:cool:

Zoe · October 19, 2004

Hi Jack -- I didn't need a psych test for my band, but I do remember taking the MMPI years ago and having to answer "True or false: I think I would like the work of a forest ranger" and "True or false: I am a special agent of God."

From the sound of your test, British PM Tony Blair, with all his European jaunts, would be a total wacko.

Let us know how you're progressing toward band approval.

New Hope · October 19, 2004

Mine asked a lot of questions about fire. "I'm fascinated by fire." "I like fire." "I enjoy burning things." (I guess they decline you if you're an arsonist.) LOL

leatha_g · October 19, 2004

lol. there are some rather stupid questions on there. those questions really aren't as specific as they sound, but are meant to point to certain disorders. i was told that there are certain questions built in to actually tell whether you have manipulated the outcome of the test with your answers or to keep you from doing so. i guess there is some subliminal things going on there that you don't see. i did find them humorous also and very interesting. what's real interesting is that the last one i took, i also got the results from and it's actually very close to who i really am. i wished i understood more about how they come to the final conclusions based on those silly questions.

Ginavit · October 20, 2004

Want to laugh? This is a piece out of my journal that I am just going to copy because I do not think I can say it any better.

"May 17, 2004 - My final appointment is with the psychiatrist. Oh boy, this is going to be a good one! He will surely think I am nuts after spending a few minutes with me. Again, we review my medical history and then came the questions. What is today's date? My answer - 15th and it was the 17th, what month is it? June/ it is May. What year is it? 199? Pause could not answer, it is 2004 moron! Who were the last four Presidents? Oh god I thought now we are getting into history questions, I am now dead! No idea went totally blank. Then I turned beet red and asked for a do over! I am thinking to myself after all the appointments I have been through I am going to be denied because of this? I was expecting weight related questions and he really threw me off. Anyway, we finished the questions, he laughed and wished me luck and off I went.Thank god that is over"

Guess all the Doc's are different. Be prepared for anything.