Question:
Psych Eval-Did anyone not pass the psych but still get to have gastric bypass?
— nicole30 (posted on July 11, 2008)
July 11, 2008
Sorry not sure if you got the first answere so I am redoing it again. I did
not pass my first test so I had to see my therapist for 6 mo. and went back
took the test again and passed and was able to have the surgery. They
thought I was faking and was a little to happy the first time. I was just
happy that I might be finally changing my life. And I did and haven't been
the same person since. Much happier person with more energy and less
health problems and much less depression and anger. I can't say I totally
love my self yet because I have only lost 100 lbs. in 1 1/2 yrs. and have
alot to go, but I like myself alot better. Good luck to you and if you
want to e-mail me my e-mail if [email protected].
— roberta45
July 11, 2008
If you were a doctor and thought your patient was not psycholgically
capable or ready for a life changing, body altering, continuous manitenance
change in their life...Would you risk that person's life under your knife?
I wouldn't. People who are not mentally ready should not have surgery
PERIOD! Just my humble opinion. There are right reasons and wrong
reasons...The right reasons make the surgery a success...The wrong ones
lead to problems and complications.
— .Anita R.
July 11, 2008
Let me start with saying I can understand why you would be worried about
the psych eval. I think everyone stresses that part. Though to answer your
question, NO a surgeon will not proceed if you do not pass. You may be able
to as another poster mentioned see a therapist for a set amount of time and
see if you can try again. If a surgeon was going to proceed regardless of
the reults what would be the point of the eval in. The first place?
— NavyNukeWife
July 11, 2008
Just be yourself and see what they have to say. I know of two people that
tried to give the answers that they though they wanted and had to go back
for 6 months before their sergon would do the surgery. One gave up and
went out of the country. I just was myself and they told me areas that
they had concerns, and I took notes and we had the surgery two weeks later.
— William (Bill) wmil
July 11, 2008
I am a member of several weight loss surgery support groups. I have
encountered several people who have PASSED the psych eval and had the
surgery and whom never, ever should have. They were not mentally prepared
for the drastic lifestyle change. They were not committed to following the
restrictions and rules. The psych eval is very important - but anyone can
pass or fail and still have the surgery. It's the person who will determine
the outcome, not an evaluation.
— monibunnie
July 11, 2008
Ok, here's my take/opinion on the evaluation thing. I believe they
evaluate you to not only see if you are stable and capable of making of a
rational decision, but also an educated decision.
I don't know of anyone of my friends that have had this that was more
informationally prepared than myself. I did literally years of research,
had family members that have had this, read voraciously everything I could
get my hands on concerning the surgery, saw every program on tv, etc. But,
I think, because I really wanted the surgery, I focused on only the
positive outcome and didn't register or pay attention to what it really
meant when people would say that the surgery was a tool. I think, in my
head, I really thought it was a solution. Now, five months out, I have
finally had some epiphanies, all of which were right there in front of me
the whole time. The surgery, really is only a tool, you HAVE to watch
everything that goes in your mouth, you HAVE to exercise, and you HAVE to
deal with the issues that made you overeat in the first place. There will
never be any long term sucess without doing these things. The surgery is
not a cure. Some people don't lose the diabetes, its not the easy way out,
exercise sucks, BUT...for me, I am sick and tired or being sick and tired
and am finally at a point where I really do want to stop the insanity...
So, I don't know what sort of evaluation your program requires, but I do
know that it is really important to know all the benefits of the surgery,
but it is equally important to know exactly what you are getting into, and
to still want to do it, knowing all of that...
Best of luck, its work , lots of it, but it IS worth it...
— Jeanne Aldrich
July 11, 2008
I am the poster of this question and I was asking for a friend of mine. I
had the surgery in Oct 07 . Just to give a little heads up, thanks for all
that posted so far
— nicole30
July 11, 2008
Well...here is another "take" on this excellent question. I am
3.5 yrs out on my RNY and have successfully lost 140 lbs to date. My
health is excellent in all respects: nutrition, exercise, liquids,
attitude, etc. I was known before for my positive attitude and cheerful
outlook on life. I was recently hired because of my charisma with people.
All that said, it is nice to think that we all go see the psychiatrist or
psychologist to determine our own emotional stableness to have this
life-changing surgery. However, I believe a more probable reason is for
the doctor to provide a letter to the surgeon which protects the surgeon
from malpractice suits. Why might I say this? I had my psych evaluation.
The psychiatrist was horrible, said and did things which were absolutely
uncalled for, told me I was a failure, told me I would never be successful
following this surgery, mocked my family relationships, and
piece-de-resistance, insisted I "sit" my 310 lb. body in a
beanbag chair on the floor. Then, when he had to pull me out of it because
at my weight, he again mocked and mocked and mocked me. It was an
absolutely unreal and shocking experience! I went to my surgeon
complaining with my every breath. I was spitting mad at the deplorable
treatment I'd received. The surgeon told me, "We really only have you
go get the psych meeting to protect us in the event of an attempted
malpractice claim against us." What he said somewhat molified me;
when I pass that psychologist's office, I always say a prayer for that very
definitely hurting individual and I moved on with my life. The surgery was
performed, my results are listed here, and I never, never, ever did receive
a bill from that sore excuse for a psychiatrist. And, since I have a
complete copy of my records, there is not even a record of his
"treatment" of me in my files. My surgeon must have called him,
and told him to "stuff it!" So, yes, I guess I didn't pass the
psych evaluation, and I did have the gastric bypass and life indeed has
continued to more forward most pleasurably.
— Christine Gibson
July 12, 2008
Psych evaluations aren't really pass/fail... if you do "fail"
one, it means that the psychologist is concerned that you have some sort of
mental health issue that would keep you from being successful after
surgery. Most of time, this does not mean that you can't have surgery...
it just means that you need some sort of treatment (group or individual
counseling, behavior modification therapy, medication, etc.) before surgery
and quite possibly afterwards as well. One concern that comes up a lot is
that if a person is using food to deal with stress or emotions, they may
switch from food to alcohol/drugs or be at high risk of eating around the
surgery.
If you were told that you failed, I'd ask the doctor who did the evaluation
or your surgeon what you need to do in order to be eligible for surgery.
Good luck.
— mrsidknee
July 13, 2008
OMG, Christine! What a horrible experience. I think I would have walked
out convinced that this so-called psychiatrist was a quack. I have my
psyche evaluation scheduled for July 15. I've been through counseling in
my youth because of a dysfunctional family situation with an alcoholic
mother. I learned some great coping skills from the best psychologists in
the business! It seems to me that your ability to cope with
adjustments----and WLS is a major adjustment----is very important for
long-term success. Most people put their best foot forward during the
first meeting. Imagine how difficult a task it is for a legitimate
psychologist to determine after one consultation that you are
"ready" the change your eating habits and your life. This is why
it's hit and miss---some people get the green light for surgery when they
clearly needed more counseling beforehand, and then others get held back
when they are poster children for success! Picture yourself getting a
thumbs up, and you'll get one.
— AlmaRene
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