Is it normal to have your Psych before you meet your surgeon?

[GeorgieDean 52]

Hi,

I’ve just completed my orientation and I received an appointment for about a month out to have my Psych Eval. I haven’t even met the surgeon or received a goal weight for surgery yet. This is concerning to me because everyone seems to meet the surgeon before the Psych. I’m starting the pre op diet now so that I can show progress. I hope the surgeon will take that in consideration when considering me and giving me a goal weight. Thoughts?

[VSG-Gal 16]

Yes! My dr required one psych evaluation and friends who had weight loss surgery all said they were required to get one psych exam as well. It’s nerve racking but it’s not so much a pass or fail, but a way for the psychologist to find possible weaknesses related to your medical care, such as pegging you for the type that may not be compliant to doctors instructions. My psychologist had me fill out a extensive 4 page multiple choice questionnaire. I got results on same visit as he used a scantron. Even though he listed 2-3 things that MAY affect my aftercare, I can assure you I’m a stable person, so I was surprised to see that. I conclude that everyone will have at least have something “found”, and it’s just a guess on their part so your doctor will take that into consideration. I got my surgery approved no problem or follow up needed.

[GeorgieDean 52]

Yes! My dr required one psych evaluation and friends who had weight loss surgery all said they were required to get one psych exam as well. It’s nerve racking but it’s not so much a pass or fail, but a way for the psychologist to find possible weaknesses related to your medical care, such as pegging you for the type that may not be compliant to doctors instructions. My psychologist had me fill out a extensive 4 page multiple choice questionnaire. I got results on same visit as he used a scantron. Even though he listed 2-3 things that MAY affect my aftercare, I can assure you I’m a stable person, so I was surprised to see that. I conclude that everyone will have at least have something “found”, and it’s just a guess on their part so your doctor will take that into consideration. I got my surgery approved no problem or follow up needed.

Thank you for that information. I just thought that I would have met with the surgeon first before the Psych evaluation. So it’s a little backwards that I had imagined it and was told.

[VSG-Gal 16]

11 minutes ago, GeorgieDean said:

Thank you for that information. I just thought that I would have met with the surgeon first before the Psych evaluation. So it’s a little backwards that I had imagined it and was told.

You will find from this website that there is a HUGE variety of how doctors do things with different patients, pretty individualized, even with the same type of surgery. Take info with some grain of salt and follow up with your doc.

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

24 minutes ago, GeorgieDean said:

This is concerning to me because everyone seems to meet the surgeon before the Psych

@GeorgieDean

welcome newbie

docs have different plans

to do pre and PO with WLS

i met doc, i had orientation,

blood work and psych exam .

doc never gave me GOAL.

don't compare yourself with other

docs or peeps. it will drive you crazy.

good luck bud

speedy recovery

kathy

[Miss Topaz 300]

Every plan is different and it may even be part of the surgeon's schedule vs the psych's schedule. But the psych eval is standard. In the end the order doesn't matter. BTW, I'm a week post-op and have met with my surgeon's office and staff a lot, but the actual surgeon, only a few times. However, I've never been given a goal. That differs between practices too.

[kakatlady612 1,053]

GeorgiDean, I've lived a long time(72 years) and although I am a very nice person there is a little niggling thought inside. Maybe your surgeon sends his patients there first to gauge their commitment to t he whole weight loss process.

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[MrsGamgee 756]

It may depend on schedule for the surgeon and the psych. I've been in my program for quite a while now and I have regular monthly appointments with different people in the program. I've met with my nurse several times, my surgeon once, and my nutritionist a couple of times. I have yet to meet with mental health due to schedule conflicts.

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