Physic Evaluation

 Happy New Years to everyone.  I have an appointment tomorrow for my first psych eval .  Crazy insurance doesn't cover it.  I would love some advise on what to expect.  I've been going to therapy for over a year, how does this differ ? 

Im thinking you are meaning "psych eval," right?  I was assuming you meant this, so my answer will be based on that.  In my opinion, the psych eval I went through for my first surgery kind of almost seemed like a formality more than anything else.  At least thats what it felt like to me anyway.  I talked a bit about my history with obesity and a bit about what my knowledge of the surgery entailed.  I was anxious about it before I got in there, but turns out I was worried for nothing.  It really didnt even feel like it did when I was going to appointments with my therapist either. 

Good luck tomorrow.  Just relax and Im sure you will do just fine.

 Haha, yep that's what I meant :) 

A psychiatric evaluation generally involves a battery of written tests, along with an extensive verbal interview by the tester. He/she will interpret the tests and write a written report back to the doctor. I don't know if all pre-op evals include these tests, but they are supposed to. In my area, the testing lasts for several hours and costs in the neighborhood of $600.

 Wow that's expensive.  Mine will last 2hrs tomorrow then another 2hrs the second appointment. It's $150 .

 So it will be a pretty bare bones eval.  Maybe just an interview with no written testing.  Piece of cake! -- so to speak  :)

There's nothing at all to be afraid of- it's just an evaluation of your readiness and appropriateness for surgery. It will be more structured than a therapy session.

Just be honest about your goals and commitment to yourself and your health and wellbeing.

And therapy is so useful to continue through your WLS and weight loss process- as they say, surgery doesn't fix our minds.

My regular psychiatrist offered to do mine, and I think in that case it would have been covered.  I had already had it done by the guy the surgeon recommended though (who wasn't covered but knows a lot about the surgery and its implications.)