Psych appointment

[tera1982 194]

I have completed my 6 month supervised diet requirements, completed labs and x-rays, and the only thing left to do before submitting to insurance is my appointment with my psychologist. I am terrified. I know the basic purpose(to see if he thinks I am prepared for the surgery, the lifestyle, emotional, and physical changes that come along with surgery), but am still extremely nervous that I'm going to say one wrong thing and he'll postpone or feel I'm not ready. Anyone else out there that has gone through this and can shed some light? I'm not looking for advice on what to say(or cheat), I am just looking to help calm the nervs, so to speak. I plan on being completely straightforward and honest about all of my previous weight loss attempts and reasons for wanting surgery, just nervous. Thanks!

[James Marusek 5,244]

I would just try and answer truthfully all questions they asked. One of the reasons why some individuals gain weight is due to psychological issues. They are just trying to identify any issues that may prevent you from being successful with weight loss surgery and life thereafter.

[Sara51692 162]

@@tera1982

If you've already gone through all the other steps and you've stuck to the process this far, I'm sure you're in a good mindset now and have heard a lot of great information from your surgeon and NUT and others along the way.

I was really anxious about the appointment too, because I knew my lack of family support/family's health, my depression and anxiety, and history of eating disorder and self-harm would make me seem like a horrible candidate for this surgery. And I was 100% honest with this psychologist. I didn't hold back one thing that would be an obstacle for me in weight loss. But I "passed," so to speak, so I guess she saw something in me.

I have a feeling not many people who get as far as the psychologist visit in the process get denied by the psych. because they've already shown a commitment.

I think they're basically looking for what the insurance looks for: a history of failed dieting and a commitment to sustainable, healthy eating habits.

[SuperDave 1,115]

Definitely, honesty is the best policy. You have nothing to worry about. I was nervous as well, but it was not as big of a deal as I thought it would be. I answered a bunch of multiple choice questions, like 250 I believe, and then the psychologist asked me a few questions based on some of my answers. We talked about my health concerns and goals. She asked about family and friends and what kind of support I had. She wanted to know what I had been doing to prepare for the huge changes ahead. That was all. Just keep in mind, they are there to help you, not slow you down.

Just relax, you have got this!

[tera1982 194]

Thanks for the responses! My pharmacist that was in charge of my 6 month diet said "I obviously can't guarantee anything, but I really don't see insurance denying you-you have met every goal we set since the beginning, meeting all of your goals for the 6 months". Fingers crossed!

[Daisee68 2,493]

Don't be nervous. I have continued to see my therapist. She has been the strongest tool in my tool box. All they are checking to see is to be sure you don't have some undiagnosed / untreated psychiatric disorder (i.e. bipolar, schizophrenia, etc.)

[VDB 800]

I can understand the worry, but don't! The standardized tests such as the MMPI I filled out simply look for trends about how you think and view life. They also pick up inconsistencies and untruths, so it is important to just be honest. During the interview, it is good to have copies of your previous info given to the Bariatric Clinic, such as your highest weight etc. so you can be consistent.

I am a psychologist, have never done this type of assessment for bariatric patients, but having done lots of testing, can tell you this is an important step. Having gone through the surgery, it is important to be ready for it, and if someone were emotionally unstable, the results could be bad and even harmful to the patient. If someone is having the surgery for the wrong reasons, such as that a family member forced them to have it, the testing picks this up.

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

my psych told me he never did not approve anyone (or, without the double negative...he always approves everybody). Think about it, if they don't approve you, they don't make any money. It's all about the money. If they catch it that you may be slightly depressed, then they will schedule appointments for you to see the psych after the surgery to make sure you are doing ok. I suppose some people wouldn't pass the psych eval, if they were, maybe, sociopaths, or something. But most likely if you are generally in normal mental health, you have nothing to worry about.

[VDB 800]

WannaBe --

My psychologist said he rejects about 5%. They also get paid regardless of approval, around here anyway. Most psychologists (I am one of them) would not accept testing tasks if the results and payment were tied together -- that would be viewed as unethical.

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

@ it would be unethical, but that doesn't stop it. My psych is tied to my bariatric hospital. I think you see where I'm going here. No one at my hospital has ever been denied by the psych. He told me so.

[lauraellen80 855]

I was worried about the psych appointment, too. I filled out a couple of questionnaires, but nothing like some of the tests some people have to do. The rest of the time was just chatting with the psychologist.

I'll be honest--I did not get cleared right away. I have a personal and family history of depression, and I have some really deep-seated issues about my self-image and self-worth. The psychologist referred me to a therapist to start regular sessions. After a month, I came back to see her again, and she also called and talked to my regular therapist. She gave the go-ahead after that, with the understanding that I would continue regular therapy throughout the process.

They really just want to make sure that you understand the surgery and the lifestyle changes required, that you don't labor under the delusion that it's a magic pill, and that you have a support system set up to help you through surgery and beyond (maybe that's family, spouse, friends... maybe it's a therapist).

[catfish87 3,471]

I've been on here for over 6 years now, and can not remember one instance of anyone getting denied because of the psyc evaluation. I'm sure it happens, but I think its really....REALLY seldom. As others have stated, just be honest! Everything will be fine.

[SkinnyDown 409]

This is just my opinion, but I think they have far far too little psych work/evaluations for this surgery.

I see people all the time on this board, sorry, but I do, who are having serious cravings, eating bad junk, gaining, putting too many carbs back in their bodies, and complaining about a constant hunger. Why?

If people wanting WLS had gone through just as much therapy pre-surgery as we go through NUT appointments, we wouldn't be feeling that way. I know that's a pretty grand sweeping generalization. I was surprised. One test, and one psych visit was all that was required, for me.

I just don't understand why there is not so much more importance put on identifying and treating food addiction issues. I mean come on, we didn't get fat by just looking at food. This didn't just happen because food tastes great. I also have PCOS and Hashimoto's but that's only a part of why I am fat. I ate my way to 343 lbs. I spent a lifetime trying to comfort myself, and protect myself with food and fat.

That deserves more exploration than one visit. I spent nearly a year in therapy before surgery to work on my addiction to food. I still work on it, post-surgery, twice a month, with a therapist who has helped other people through WLS, and has experience with food addiction counseling,

I think this is hard enough, without making it harder. I am an addict. Just like any other addict out there, and I know that I can fall off this wagon at any time. But I like being aware of that. It just might get me through hard times.

I am surprised at what I read here, only 5% don't make the cut. That number seems so wrong, when I read of how many issues people have post-surgery. Either they aren't testing right, or asking the right questions.

Again, just my opinion. You don't have to like it, but I felt it was worth being said, about this topic.