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PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery evaluations are useful to determine if you are psychologically prepared to undergo the procedure and to identify any psychological contraindication for surgery. We enjoy working with weight loss specialists and facilitating this transition. We collaborate effectively with your weight loss team and provide useful information that can help them make an informed decision regarding your surgery.
Information
For Surgeons/Medical Providers
Behavior Modification Therapy
Desk
You Must Know
Bariatric surgery represents an extreme intervention in your weight loss journey. In fact, some of the procedures conducted as part of the surgery could contribute to other health issues, which makes it extremely important for the medical team to ensure that candidates are adequately prepared for the surgery in advance. Our goal is to help you understand not only the procedure and identify what contributes to your weight loss and gain, but also how to mental prepare for the surgery and its potential outcomes, as well as how to respond if you were to experience adverse symptoms post-surgery. If everything goes according to plan, surgery will adjust your stomach and restrict the amount of food it can hold.
Psychological Risks Associated with Bariatric Surgery
Increased risk of depressive symptoms Mood swings Body dysmorphia Food obsession and addiction Stress and anxiety Social acceptance Self-consciousness about excess skin Alcohol abuse and sensitivity
Let us help you become emotionally and psychologically prepared for surgery. Our psychological evaluations ensure that you meet all insurance and surgeon requirements to proceed with surgery.
JUST THE BEGINNING
Life after weight loss surgery

Bariatric surgery is just the beginning of your weight loss journey. Just remember that it can take up to two years to reach your ultimate weight loss goal.

While many patients experience bariatric surgery success, every patient is different. Your personality, mental health condition, and variety of life experiences and behaviors may influence the outcome of your surgery and long-term weight loss success.

You need an evaluation because your insurance and insurance require that you complete one. It helps the insurance company determine if surgery is in fact necessary and your surgeon can learn more about the way you may respond to the procedure.

Providers
Our intake team will be happy to meet with your referral coordinator to discuss the services we offer and share a sample anonymous report for review. Our psychological evaluations for weight loss surgery patients include a comprehensive evaluation and recommendations from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Any referred patient is offered an appointment within 2 weeks of the initial referral. The interviews are approximately 90 minute-long and the report is sent to your team via fax two-to-three weeks from the date of evaluation. The final report includes all necessary information needed to file claims with the patient’s insurance to to make pre- and post-operative decisions.
The first step in the evaluation process is to schedule an appointment, filling out the intake packet, meeting with one of our therapists, and completing a series of psychological tests on personily, eating habits, family health history, and the patient’s perception about the underlying main causes of their obesity.
Topics: Sticking to a Diet Small Changes Lifestyle Activity and Exercise Mood and Food Binge Eating Meal Planning Managing Cravings Mindful Eating Triggers Body Image Friends and Family Goal Setting Time Management Weight Maintenance
COST
$350 (report included)
LENGTH
Approximately 90 min
REPORT
Generally, 6-7 p long
TURN-AROUND TIME
1-2 week(s)
REQUIREMENTS
Any supportive document
DELAYS
We may recommend that your surgery be delayed if there are serious concerns about the patient’s psychological stability. If they are disqualified, our goal is to offer them potential solutions to correct the problem and assist with developing a stable support network.
REPORT
Providers will be notified when we complete the evaluation. If the patient has already scheduled an appointment, it is likely they will be able to keep it as we will have the report ready to fax to the medical team within 21 days of meeting with the patient. 
Post-Surgery Counseling
We offer additional support to help you reach your goals and cope with unexpected changes associated with dramatic weight loss. Your therapist will work with you post-operatively to help you build life-long behavioral changes, such as limiting certain foods, eating smaller portions, not drinking and eating at once, changing your eating habits, exercising more, chewing slowly, and not eating for emotional reasons. We recommend counseling if you are experiencing difficulty sticking to recommended eating regimens, family concerns at home, body image concerns, isolation from social events or gatherings, cravings to drink alcohol, or wonder if you lack the skills to cope with your new life.
Treatment can help you make small changes necessary post-surgery and identify unhealthy eating habits. We have experience in the treatment of depression, grief/loss, anxiety, eating disorders and other psychological conditions. Typically, treatment occurs every week and it progresses, patients may be transitioned to biweekly sessions and then monthly. The ultimate goal is see you managing your eating and weight over time without assistance. Therefore, you may be given homework to learn more about your personal relationship with food, what triggers your need to eat, your unhealthy eating patterns, and how prevent relapse. Our therapists are compassionate and dedicated professionals who understand that becoming overweight did not happen overnight. They are sensitive and aware of how physically, emotionally, and psychologically difficult this process has been for you.
Important Tips
  • Remember to chew your food well
  • Avoid nutrient deficiency
  • Do not drink liquids during your meal
  • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
  • Avoid foods high in sugar
  • Limit foods that are high in fat
  • Do not overeat consistently as your stomach may stretch over time.
  • Consume foods high in protein to promote healing and your baseline metabolism.
  • Become familiar with the amount of food your stomach can hold
Become Aware
Your Support System
Family members and allies.
Your Potential Triggers
Internal and external factors.
Your Potential Challenges
Eating attitudes & behaviors
Reasons For Your Habits
Personality and preferences
Your Barriers & Obstacles
What keeps you off track.
Common Bariatric Surgery Evaluation Questions

In the United States, surgeons most often perform three types of operations gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band.

Pre-bariatric surgery evaluations are critical step as they not only help identify contraindications for surgery, but also provide relevant information to better understand your motivation, readiness, behavioral challenges, and emotional factors that may impact your coping and adjustment post surgery

Information obtained during the intake interview and assessments is summarized in a brief report that is sent to your surgeon. Contained in this report are summaries of the your background and history, current and past psychiatric issues, testing results, conclusions and recommendations.

A variety of outcomes are possible. You may be cleared for surgery when no overt psychological contraindications are evident. However, when issues arise in the evaluation, concerns about surgery are outlined for the surgeon. Your surgeon will make the final decision regarding your appropriateness for surgery by weighing the medical, nutritional, and psychological issues presented in the report.

Your therapist will complete a psychological evaluations using objective personality tests in conjunction with a clinical interview. Objective psychological test are commonly used measures that have validity scales that detect information about your present or past situation. Before completing the tests, you are encouraged to answer the items in an honest and straightforward manner. The tests alone would not stop you from having the surgery. Nonetheless, the information obtained is highly useful for clarifying and further illuminating the realities of your state of psychological adjustment and any potential challenges the surgery team may face when managing your case.