Ins. wants psychiatric evaluation?

January 21, 2005

My insurance wants a psychiatric evaluation. Has anyone been through this? If you have can you tell me about the evaluation. What they ask etc....

Thank you

La_madam · January 22, 2005

Hi..I was banded in Mexico and did not have one in Mexico. There are others here who will share their experiences that did have to go through a physch evaluation. I have not heard anyone yet who has been denied because they failed their evaluation..Good Luck

Alexandra · January 22, 2005

Hi Jingle Red,

This is a very common requirement here in the US, and not only for insurance reasons. I think it's in everyone's interest that the patients be screened carefully, and part of that process is making sure the person seeking surgery clearly understands what's in store.

When you think about it, weight loss surgery is a team effort. The patient, the surgeon and his/her staff, the insurer all want to do everything possible to insure success. The psychological evaluation is a part of that, and for most people it's pretty simple. What they're trying to ascertain is whether you understand the surgery and are prepared to make the changes necessary afterwards. They look for evidence of eating disorders or other addictions, or behaviors that will tend to compromise your life as a bandster.

Do you have any concerns that you might not be considered a good candidate?

3labsrus · January 22, 2005

I also had to have a psychiatric evaluation. The program I went through was months of meetings, appointments, information. What the psychiatrist told me was that several people have problems with depression prior to surgery and although people would think that would get better after surgery and weight loss, for some it doesn't work that way. For those of us that were emotional eaters, you've lost what used to make you comfortable or get you by. Depression has gotten worse in some patients after surgery so the psychiatrist, team and your insurance want to make sure that you have a plan for after the surgery. Be prepared to be asked questions on what other things you can do to keep you occupied when you have an urge to eat anything that doesn't include your 3 meals a day.

Good luck! The evaluation is painless!

I'llsucceed · January 22, 2005

I just had my psych evaluation a few weeks ago. It was two seperate days & very easy. First day was just talking to the doctor about my weight loss past. I came very prepared & had all records written down & copied for her. She really appreciated this. The second day was a test that took about 3 1/2 hours answering t or f questions. Its to test if you have any serious psych problems or behavioral problems that may make you unsuitable for a surgery like this one. It was very easy & all you do is answer honestly. PAY ATTENTION to all the questions. they are very repetitve( some very silly) & this is done to make sure you are reading every question & not just filling in t or f for all of them. That is what mine was like I do ot know if they're all the same. I have Blue Cross network & this was standard for them. I was told I passed the very next day. Good luck to you- you'll do just fine.