Denied because of psych eval... why?

[kaytiebugs 0]

This hasn't happened to me personally, but I'm just wondering why it would.

The only thing that comes to mind to me is if someone is/has had an eating disorder, some sort of abuse, some sort of serious issue that has not been treated (like serious, not just bipolar, something that you might be put in the loony bin for), unrealistic expectations, etc.

Has anyone ever been denied for being just a little off (because face it, we all are).

Some of the q's on my eval were like "Do you think people in general would lie to get ahead?" Well YEAH! But I put no.

[Jodi_620 37]

Bascially if you were to have psychological issues that would keep you from being a good candidate for Lap Band, then you would be denied.

You really should answer the questions honestly. They know that there are some "well duh!" questions in there. When answered correctly they can get a pretty accurate idea of your personality and your weaknesses, so not only can they determine that you are mentally able to handle Lap Band, they can help you identify weaknesses that might make your journey more difficult. I was told that they can tell if you were not honest and you could be denied surgery or have to take the test over if you are not...not sure if that is a scare tactic or not.

[Nanook 2]

I'm surprised no one has scanned a copy of a psych eval and posted it on here somewhere! I don't think being a little off is going to deny you and in my case the surgeon hand picked the therapist who gave the eval and in some cases people can use their own.

I was never found to be an "emotional eater" or what you'd think they'd be looking for prior to surgery but they do seem to be concerned with people who are suicidal. I don't know if it's to keep surgeons from being sued or not. I'm sure the evaluation is to protect the patient as well as the surgeon in some respects. I wouldn't worry too much about it, it seems to be the thing that most people do worry about and the least of things they should worry about, Nancy:smile:.

[Brandy~ 2]

I'm surprised no one has scanned a copy of a psych eval and posted it on here somewhere! I don't think being a little off is going to deny you and in my case the surgeon hand picked the therapist who gave the eval and in some cases people can use their own.

I was never found to be an "emotional eater" or what you'd think they'd be looking for prior to surgery but they do seem to be concerned with people who are suicidal. I don't know if it's to keep surgeons from being sued or not. I'm sure the evaluation is to protect the patient as well as the surgeon in some respects. I wouldn't worry too much about it, it seems to be the thing that most people do worry about and the least of things they should worry about, Nancy:smile:.

They are all different but I kept my 2nd one I took all 800 questions

[Nanook 2]

Too bad you can't post it!!! It's really silly because I ended up being a person who did not do well with the lap band but I passed with flying colors!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I never had to take any kind of written test. I just sat there and talked to the lady and she said I would be a great candidate for the band.

They say not to let the person get deep into your past. If you tell them you have problems with eating too large of portions, you should pass with flying colors.

[Wheetsin 714]

Psych evaluations (which are not the same as generic indicator tests) are not in place to deny people surgery, and it would never be a psychologist's goal to keep you from moving forward. Any time they have you take a test and nothing else... I question the value, and wonder how much it's there as a formality. In an ideal world, the psychologist is there to help you understand your relationship with food and the role it plays in your life, your behaviors with food, and how to develop ways to cope if the food relationship has to change. Yes, they will also screen for people who are not good candidates. Not everyone should have the lap-band. There are those for whom it will do more harm than good and those who would seek it out for extremely unhealthy reasons. A good mental health provider would be remiss if they did not attempt to redirect in those cases. I'm not sure what you mean by "a little bit off." Off of/from what? BTW, you do yourself an injustice by lying on your test. If anything, all you've done is indicate to the psychologist that you're willing to lie in order to "look good" (for lack of a better word). Those questions are on there for very specific & intentional reasons.

[vegasgirl44 0]

This hasn't happened to me personally, but I'm just wondering why it would.

The only thing that comes to mind to me is if someone is/has had an eating disorder, some sort of abuse, some sort of serious issue that has not been treated (like serious, not just bipolar, something that you might be put in the loony bin for), unrealistic expectations, etc.

Has anyone ever been denied for being just a little off (because face it, we all are).

Some of the q's on my eval were like "Do you think people in general would lie to get ahead?" Well YEAH! But I put no.

I work in psych and can't tell you how many times I see a patient come in who's here for abuse/dependence of alcohol and/or drugs, and guess what!?? They've had gastric surgery in general. Because many people who have addictions of ANY kind are more prone to substituting one thing for another....you miss food, you start smoking, drinking, gambling, etc....

I know that is one reason for sure. Another thing I read is in a book called Losing Weight with the Adj Gastric Band, (I think that's the name...excellent book), and in there, it states about 6 qualities in a person that have indicated success with the band. Offhand, I can't name them all, but being female is one, having overcome some tragedy in life such as divorce or death of a loved one and surviving is two, etc...From what I can remember, many qualities of the typical driven, OCD woman...well, that puts it harshly and I certainly don't mean that, but it described me to a T. So, I'm running with it. But check out the book. It's excellent!

[sistasassy 6]

I think the psych evaluation is really just to make sure you know what you are getting into and that you are stable enough for surgery and post-op living.

I have panic disorder and my GP had me wait until we had my panic attacks under control before moving forward with surgery. I think there would be nothing worse than having to go through the "bandster hell" portion of post-op and not be stable.

I just met with my shrink, told him I wanted to have lap-band surgery and needed his approval, he said he would type up the letter and fax it to my surgeon. That was all I had to do.

I am glad I waited. It will be much easier this way.

BTW, I no longer have to see a psychiatrist. I have been downgraded to a psychologist for cognative behavioral therapy (CBT) to help handle my panic attacks. Woohoo for me! I am no longer crazy, just a bit loony!

[Jessica1977 3]

I asked the psych doctor after she was finished how she determines if people are good candidates, and this is some of the things the she told me:

She said that insurance requires this because they want to make sure that you are not just doing this on a whim because your friend, neighbor etc. has gotten this surgery, and you think now you have to have it too.... & to make sure that you know that this is only a tool and to make sure that you have fully researched the procedure, and know the pros and cons.

Also they want to make sure that you have realistic goals..not what you "should" weigh by the charts, but what you would like to weigh at goal.

I also know someone who did not pass the psych eval part. She said that the doctor said that she just wasnt ready and also she said she messed up by telling them that her sister had just had it done...So the psych doctor in turn thought that she was just doing it because someone she knew had it done.....She was able to go to another Doctor and have another psych eval and pass it..I am guessing her bariatric Doctor didnt have a problem with her not passing the first time.

[Brandy~ 2]

I asked the psych doctor after she was finished how she determines if people are good candidates, and this is some of the things the she told me:

She said that insurance requires this because they want to make sure that you are not just doing this on a whim because your friend, neighbor etc. has gotten this surgery, and you think now you have to have it too.... & to make sure that you know that this is only a tool and to make sure that you have fully researched the procedure, and know the pros and cons.

Also they want to make sure that you have realistic goals..not what you "should" weigh by the charts, but what you would like to weigh at goal.

I also know someone who did not pass the psych eval part. She said that the doctor said that she just wasnt ready and also she said she messed up by telling them that her sister had just had it done...So the psych doctor in turn thought that she was just doing it because someone she knew had it done.....She was able to go to another Doctor and have another psych eval and pass it..I am guessing her bariatric Doctor didnt have a problem with her not passing the first time.

Thats strange since I know of many people that have had it done in couples and groups... even some of them on here. During my pre op classes with my surgery center they had a group of sisters 4 of them that had all been banded at different times. The 4th one was in her pre op stages.

[Jessica1977 3]

Brandy, I totally agree with you.... I think that it would be great to have someone you know that has had it done and help each other through.... But I think that going through it "together" and doing it just because a friend or family member has done are 2 different things.

Bottom line, I think that they just want to make sure that you are doing it for you, and not just because someone else has done it.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

but being female is one, having overcome some tragedy in life such as divorce or death of a loved one and surviving

Gee, maybe that is why I have been successful. My husband had an accident and died, and then my fiance got stomach cancer and died.

[*slim* 2]

Another thing I read is in a book called Losing Weight with the Adj Gastric Band, (I think that's the name...excellent book)

I think I am reading that book right now! The book I am reading is called "Weight Loss Surgery with Adjustable Gastric Band." I just got it today.

[vegasgirl44 0]

I think I am reading that book right now! The book I am reading is called "Weight Loss Surgery with Adjustable Gastric Band." I just got it today.

yes, that's the book. it really has a lot of information about the entire journey. great book.