Psychological Evaluation

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What your psychiatrist needs to cover

Your psychiatrist needs to include at least the following information:

    1. The reason for the evaluation
    2. How does the patient think the surgery will benefit him/her
    3. How long has obesity been a problem
    4. Sources of stress or concerns in present life
    5. Personal history (lives where, home situation, family interactions, etc)
    6. Medications
    7. Tobacco, alcohol, recreational drug use, if ever. (How long since)
    8. Family history (include physical abuse, child sexual abuse)
    9. Schooling
    10. Marital status (history to present)
    11. Behavioral observations
    12. Test results (validity indicators)
    13. Impression

Your psychiatrist needs to rule out/look for the following:

    1. Drug use
    2. Alcohol use
    3. Untreated depression
    4. Suicidal tendencies
    5. Eating disorders
    6. Compliance issues
    7. Comprehension (Does the patient really understand the surgery and needed lifestyle changes?)
    8. Ability to make lifestyle changes
    9. Compliance in diet
    10. Compliance in exercise
    11. Understanding of the need for follow-up no matter how far away the patient lives
    12. Reliability
    13. Understanding that noncompliance puts them at risk
    14. Unrealistic expectations
    15. Inadequate support
    16. MMPI

The psychiatrist (or psychologist) has to touch on all of the above areas of your life. A complete report from your psychiatrist is very important to include when you are asking for preapproval for bariatric surgery.

Print out these instructions and send/take to your psychiatrist!

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