Question:
My Psych Eval Lasted Less than 1 hour?
Not sure if the Psychologist is going to say I am ok for surgery because of mild depression. Has any one ever been turned down for surgery because of depression? — AnnaReich (posted on September 10, 2003)
September 10, 2003
Yes, people can be turned down for depression or defferred for more
treatment. However, because your session was less than an hour doesn't
mean that is what is going to happen. My psych review lasted all of 30
minutes. None of those horrifying tests that so many have had to have
(thank god!) -and I did just fine. Don't worry too much. I dobut it would
be a cut and dry- NO- too depressed for surgery. I'm sure that depression
was the diagnosis it would be more like- depression- requires treatment
before surgery. Good luck to you!
— LMCLILLY
September 10, 2003
I wouldn't worry so much about the length of time it took to speak to the
psychiatrist. He/She may have done quite a few of these reviews and knew
what questions to ask to get enough info for your surgeon without going all
the way back to your childhood to evaluate you. My psychiatrist only spoke
to me about 15-20 minutes but I have been seeing him for 2 years. In my
past I have been diagnosed with O.C.D., major depression, panic disorder,
bulimia, manic-depression, and tricitillimania though currently I am only
being treated for the first 2 and last one. Several of these are in the
group of 9 major mental disorders and I was still approved (although when I
spoke to the surgeon, and yes I was very truthful with my history, he said
he was concerned about doing the surgery even though I have been in
treatment for a while now but he did decide to do it after he had a chance
to review all my paperwork). I am scheduled for 10/6/03 @ 9AM and am very
excited about it. I hope you don't stress about this much. I think you will
do just fine. By the way, now that I have finally found the right
medication to help me I am doing wonderfully. I thank God for the strength
to help me every day. I find that helps me the most. Good luck to you and
God Bless.
— tntwildlife77
September 10, 2003
Hi, I also suffer from depression and have been on Zoloft now for about a
year and a half. When I went to see the psychologist he said that while I
do suffer from depression, I'm being effectively treated for it and sent
his recommendation for me to have surgery without hesitation. I was
approved about 6 days later! When you think about it, most of us who are
considering this surgery are depressed! My consult with him lasted about
45 minutes. Good luck!
— Moysa B.
September 10, 2003
I was very frank with the psychological evaluation..I told them I suffer
from depression and had most of my life. I am under a psychaitrist care
and taking medication and complying with treatement. They said they never
even thought of turning me down because of depression. They are looking
for suicidal tendencies that have not been treated or personality disorders
that would not benefit from the surgery. I was totally honest in every
respect. I had my surgery 2 years ago. The great thing is my surgeon has
on staff Psych docs that help you along post op with the changes in body
image and the changes in emotions and the plain getting used to a new way
of life. Their goal at my surgeons was not to turn you down but to help
you along through the process. Best to you and I don't think you have
anything to worry about.
— Karen Renee
September 10, 2003
Don't sweat it! I think your approval is coming. Mild depression is no
reason to turn you down for surgery especially if it is something you are
actively working on with meds and/or counseling. I would bet the most he
would do is recommend some medication and counseling to help you through
the WLS process. Heck I'd be interested to know how many WLS patients
truly do not have some degree of depression. It is pretty common. It's
the severe untreated depression that would be a much bigger issue and if
you really hadno concept of what would be done to you and the changes you
will have to make. Hang in there!
— zoedogcbr
September 11, 2003
Helllooooo Anna! Hey guess what? You are actually the "norm"
for someone dealing with a weight problem. I would be suspect of any psych
eval that didn't show some eveidence of some (even just minimal or
situational) depression. It doesn't take long for a doc to get an initial
impression of you - they take in everything from info on your chart,
paperwork you have completed, how you move, act, speak, eye contact, etc.
and it doesn't take long for a quick size up. First and most importantly
he/she will be looking to see if you actually seem competent to make this
decision - that's not too difficult to figure out. If he/she had any real
impressions that you were dealing with something major, another type of
mental illness or a more severe depression, I am betting your appointment
would have lasted longer. Depression SHOULD be a co-morbid condition
related to morbid obesity (my opinion) and I am sure insurance companies -
when they approve this surgery - are looking for ways to alleviate all or
most of our co-morbid conditions (after all, it saves them money in the
long run). Don't be surprised if your eval also recommends some counseling
and possibly medication to assist you through this life changing event.
Neither are a bad idea and you may find them to be very helpful. I've had
mild to severe clinical depression all my life. My PCP, surgeon, psych eval
doc and the insurance company didn't even blink and eye - all thought it
would help (surgery) and my insurance approved me in 5 working days and I
have ANTHEM (a seriously difficult company to deal with at times).
So....YOU GO GIRL! Take care of yourself and good luck! See you on the
other side! HUGS, HUGS, and more HUGS!
— Deborah F.
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