Question:
WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO BE DONE AND WHY IS THE OUTCOME BASED ON THEIR OPINION???????
OF COURSE WE AS OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS LOOK HOW WE HAVE BEEN TREATED BY THE MAJORITY. AND WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR EATING HABITS, SO WE ARE SEARCHING FOR HELP. — Faye L. (posted on June 3, 2002)
June 3, 2002
I was told that the reason a psych evaluation was done was to make sure
that we are emotionally/mentally 'fit' for surgery and the HUGE lifestyle
changes that WLS bring to our lives. Basically, I think the surgeon and
ins companies want to make sure that we can handle such a change. This is
such a huge change for everyone involved--it is not the easy way out. This
is much harder than 'dieting' and 'exercising' to stay healthy, this is a
drastic measure for drastic results. I had to pay up front for my psych
evaluation as the preferred shrink for my program was out-of-network,
that's $400.00 for testing and one 1-hour session! Good luck--it's worth
it!
— jenn2002
June 3, 2002
I personally became overweight due to emotional issues in my life. And I
KNOW that I would not be as successful with this tool if I hadn't dealt
with those issues BEFORE surgery. I see alot of people on here that still
have food issues, and I pray for them daily. I had "head hunger"
once or twice since my surgery. I litterally greived for chocolate cake
one day. I cried for 3 hours just wanting a peice of cake. Insurance
companies are just making sure that like the previous poster put it, are
emotionally and mentally ready for this change. Its hard to explain to
someone pre op the difference. Its hard for me to explain this to people
who don't need the surgery the changes I have gone through. My first week
post op I was so emotional that I cried at a drop of a hat and I did that
for 4 days. It sounds like a silly hoop to jump through but definately a
neccesarry one.
— Diane Rhoads
June 3, 2002
My roommate's twin brother is the psychiatrist who does the evaltuations
for the Baylor medical program in Dallas. I asked him pretty much the same
question. He said that WLS docs want to make sure that they aren't gonna
be sued, ie if someone hates their scar, or has unrealistic expectations,
or can't handle the changes, etc. etc. I think it's a good thing, as long
as the psych is trained in this area, unlike my original psych who made
value judgements and denied me the surgery. (Geeze, it's been three months
and I had the surgery...you think I'd be over it by now.) Anyway, bottom
line, WLS just want assurance that they won't get sued...
— rebeccamayhew
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