Is this how your psych evaluation worked?

I am so thankful that I talked with you all about this.  Thanks a million for all of your very helpful replies!  :)

Dr. Carr is not on the list but I was told he was the one that is in Asheville that I could use, and that is the city that is the closest to me.  HOWEVER!  I am going to do some calling around tomorrow with the one's that ARE on the list. 

Morganton is only a 45 minute drive (compared to approx. 20 to Asheville) and there are 3 to choose from there:  "Counseling Group" (no other name), Michael Fiore, and Donna Thackwray.  Then there are 5 in Hickory which is only about an hour drive:  "Carolina Treatment Associates," Gary Indenbaum, Glenna Davis, and Brian Hissom & Associates.  Has anyone had any experience whatsoever with these drs.?

Perhaps I can also get a psych appt. the morning of my 3-hour afternoon class?  I'm going to at least give it a try! 

THANKS AGAIN!!!  {{{Group Hug!!!}}}

hmmm my experience was different
i went in , talked to her for 30 minutes, i paid my 40.00 copay and she cleared me right then & there.

its amazing how much different everyone is

I had a crap eval.

"Do you want to hurt yourself?"
"Do you like pain?"
"Are you truly committed to a life-altering surgery?"

I can't remember how much I paid, but my appt. was less than 10 minutes in length.

Shauna
My Psych eval was about 15 minutes of talking to him, super nice doctor was even open on a Sunday!! and took about 30 min to fill out that funny test LOL it took them one day to score the test and send it over to my Surgeons office. As far as deductibles I have Tricare military insurance so I didnt pay one cent for any testing or the surgery. Best of luck to you on your tests and your big day!!

Darcie

'm dreading the funny test...I am scheduled to take it this coming up monday.  I don't know what to expect.???...The Psychologist said from what she could tell by talking with me I am a good canidate.   She said she would send a recommendation as long as their are not any red flags after the test....
 

Dont get whipped up about the test, I was laughing so hard the doctor came in to see what was going on... he agreed some of the questions were a bit odd.. just answer them truthfully and Im sure you will do fine!!

Darcie

 i went in for 45 minutes and i did not have to take any test or anything of that nature. im worried that something will come up at the last minute and throw a wrench in my surgery plans/date you know. now after reading this post i am really biting nails( but they are acrylic so its not working lolO)

I had my surgery through Duke. They had me fill out a long questionaire which they reviewed. I had an appointment with the psychiatrist that was reasonable comfortably for me. They basically wanted to be sure that I was aware of what I was getting myself into physically and emotionally. I have struggled with severe, dibilitating depression for a number of years and that and how I would manage it with the rigors of WLS were a reasonable concern. They felt that I was strong enough to endure the surgery and aftermath and that I had good support in place to warrant going forward. They requested that I get additional counseling to help through the initial post op period, which of course I not only agreed to, but had already planned.

Realize that they are there to support and protect you. They are not there to put a roadblock in front of you.

I would suggest that you look at the options available to you. Not only to find someone who will provide you the best 'deal' in getting you through the approval process, but someone who truly has experience with and understands some of the unique issues and concerns of WLS patients and their needs before, during and after surgery.

Wishing you every success,

Barb

I am going through the process with Duke and had my psych eval there.  I had to do several questionnaires and bring them with me to the appointment. 

I think my process might have been a little different, my appointment was scheduled only nine days after my brother died and I was an emotional basket case.  I basically told her that I was having panic attacks, not sleeping and taking xanax to get through the day and on top of that I was anxious about getting addicted to xanax because I was taking it daily.  She assured me that .25mg of xanax two times a day, nine days after a death in the family does not make an addiction, and while I knew that on an intellectual level, it made me feel better to hear it. 

My psych tests were normal though I did score high on the anxiety and depression scales.  I have struggled with anxiety my whole life and she made sure that I had skills to deal with anxiety and that the depression was situational and not out of proportion with the loss.

She said she didn't have any concerns about clearing me for surgery as long as I felt I was doing better over the next few months.

So that is my novel, but if I can make it through in that state, I think most people can.

(As a side note, if anyone struggles with anxiety I'll be happy to tell you about you some of the cognitive behavior skills I learned in college that really help me cope.  Other than my brother's passing, I have not had to use a drug for anxiety in the past ten years)

I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. Having suffered the loss of my own brother, I can empathize. I hope that time will ease your pain and grief.

Barb