Question:
Would anyone think it is strange not to do a Psych exam?
I didn't get much testing done- I only had 3 little tubes of blood drawn, And a ultrasound on my Gall bladder, Liver, Spleen, and Kidneys. Nothing else was done anyone seen this before? I have surgery in 5 days. — BYN P. (posted on May 13, 2003)
May 13, 2003
Yeah, I also think you need more physical testing done. Like EKG, EDG,
study for sleep apnea. For me personally, I had a buttload of test to
take. Are you positive you have a reliable doctor?
— TLLessor
May 13, 2003
I had about the same amount of testing as you and no Psych eval. I think it
depends on your insurance and what they require, your pre surgery health
and if your Dr. thinks its necessary. Don't worry about it.
— Kris T.
May 13, 2003
I had an exam by a pulmonologist, chest x-ray, EKG (because I was over 50)
and routine blood work done. My insurance didn't require a psych exam and
my doctor didn't seem to think it was necessary either. I do know that he
orders different pre-op testing for different patients depending on their
medical history and any history of psychological problems. The only time
he routinely orders psych exams are for patients whose insurance requires
it. By the way, I did fine - I'm 17 months post-op from open RNY and 3
months post-op from hernia repair and panniculectomy and I've lost 181
pounds.
— Patty_Butler
May 13, 2003
I had a stress test done, a physical exam w/ blood drawn, chest xrays, and
an EKG and I had an endoscopy--that was it. No psych eval or nutritional
eval.
— Marilyn Kay J.
May 13, 2003
I'd be more worried about not having an EKG than a psych eval.
— Amber L.
May 13, 2003
I didn't have a psych eval either. I had about the same as you, except I
had an EKG.
— Diana L.
May 13, 2003
Well I think it depends on how recently you have had some of these other
things done, for example I already know I have sleep apnea......etc Alot
of drs say it depends on the individual for the psych testing and an EKG
and such depends on your health too, doing one sure wouldn't hurt
though.... good luck!
— Saxbyd
May 13, 2003
I think it depends on your health. I don't have many health problems, so
all I had to do was blood work, ekg and ct scan
— Christy P.
May 13, 2003
I don't think it's strange, but I do think it's unfortunate. My insurance
doesn't require a psych eval., but my surgeon does, and I think that makes
him a better doctor for it. Not saying yours isn't, but I think its very
important to have a psych and nutrition eval before surgery. I don't think
enough people truly know everything there is to know about WLS, not that I
do either, but I was fully prepared. We need to know how to eat, when,
what, and why certain things are important. And the psych is there to make
sure we understand these things and are prepared for the depression that
sometimes follows this surgery and all the ups and downs. Just my opinion!
Goodluck on your upcoming surgery- wish you the best!
— Lezlie Y.
May 13, 2003
I didn't have much pre-op testing either. I don't believe I'm worse off for
it. And I'm certainly glad I didn't have to have a psych eval, talk about a
waste of time! What the heck is some stranger supposed to tell me that I
don't already know? That I use food as a crutch? That I'm an emotional
eater? That I'm depressed? HELLO! Of course all those things apply, how do
you think I got this way to begin with??
As you can tell, I'm not a big fan of psychiatrists. I think they've got
more problems than the rest of us! :-)
— Angie M.
May 13, 2003
No psych eval here and limited testing. Zero complications. BUT my doctor
did speak with me at length to determine my preparedness for what was to
come and to ensure I had researched it well. I was also in fairly good
health with no personal history of a bad heart, etc. Do you trust your
doc? What's your gut tell you?
— [Deactivated Member]
May 13, 2003
I had the same....but I had been through a lot of testing for sleep apnea,
arthritis, etc already-so he had all of the info he needed in my records.
My doctor DID require a phyc eval and I think that it is important....I
could see how the surgeon could handle it himself, but you have to look at
the people out there who go through this surgery without the AMOS
support...I think there realy needs to be some one who can make sure that
you understand what the surgery is, what changes you have to make, and
also, make sure that you know that it is a tool-not an instant fix...
— Laurie V.
May 13, 2003
I didn't have to have a psychological exam at all. I've heard of so many
members having to go through all that. IMHO, I think oftentimes it's
ridiculous to put people through that. Some are already suffering mentally
with being MO in the first place~it only adds to the frustration. I think
there are too, perhaps others who may benefit from it and may feel like
"once I have the WLS, then I won't have to do anything else". But
that is, indeed a fallacy-we STILL have to work at it. It took me about 3
years or so to make up my mind. I was READY when I went into the surgeon's
office for my consultation with about 6 pages of questions. When the psych
question was asked, the reply was "no, I don't feel that is necessary
as far as I'm concerned". I jumped through a few hoops myself, BUT, I
don't give up very easily. Geesh, the things some some insurance companies
put you through...Hope this helps!
LAP RNY 9/3/02 265/160/115-126 still dropping and happy. Hadiyah
McCutcheon, a.k.a.~~~
— yourdivaness
May 13, 2003
I'm one who had to have a lot of testing - blood work, EKG, current Pap and
mammogram, abdominal sonogram, sleep study, upper endoscopy, chest x-ray,
psych eval, and nutrition eval - all completed and results in to my doc
before I could even get a surgery date. At first I was a little perturbed,
but now that I think about it, I'm glad. I want them to have a complete
picture of my health, in case there are any problems during surgery or
right after. My son had to undergo the same testing. The docs we have are
among the most respected and skilled in our area, and I'm glad they have
all the bases covered. This is my life, and I don't want them to be
surprised by anything! The upper endoscopy showed that I have gastritis
and a small hiatal hernia, which I'm now treating with nexium. Haven't
used Tums or Pepcid in over a month. The sleep study revealed that I have
sleep apnea, for which I am going to be treated prior to surgery. So I
guess the tests are worthwhile, and I should be in much better health when
my surgery comes around.
— Carlita
May 13, 2003
I noticed that you are only 22, and therefore probably have very few other
health problems (I didn't read your whole profile). I was 29 at the time
of my surgery, with my only real health issues being GERD and foot pain and
I only had to have blood drawn...that's it! I think a lot depends on the
surgeon, insurance and your own health history. If you've been upfront
with your surgeon, I wouldn't worry about it.
— eaamc
May 13, 2003
I too did not have any testing done. The only testing I had done was
bloodwork. I agree with the earlier poster who said that age might have
something to do with it (I am 25). It also depends, I think, on what
insurance requires.
Good luck with your surgery.
— Melanie S.
May 13, 2003
They can run many, many tests on 3 tubes of blood. I didn't have any psych
eval. The first surgeon I saw didn't require it, based on how you answered
the multitude of questionnaires in the original packet (I scored low for
depression, I was told.) When I switched to another surgeon in the same
group, he waived the requirement, since I had already been seen for my
first consultation by the other surgeon. I didn't have to have a lot of
tests done - only the routine pre-op stuff that one normally has done. No
symptoms of sleep apnea, so no testing for that. I never had any problems
with my gallbladder or any other internal organ, so no problems there. I
never smoked, so no need for blood gasses. My DH, on the other hand, had a
congenital heart problem repaired at age 17, so he had to have cardiac
clearance, which included an echocardiogram, a CT angiogram (scan of the
chest to check major cardiac blood vessels) and a follow up MRI. He also
had to do the psych eval. (required by this surgeon), and attend a support
group meeting. The two mandatory diet classes were waived because he had
gone with me before I had surgery.
Keep in mind that insurance companies may balk at paying for tests unless
they can be justified. In other words, you have to have a diagnosis to
have a test. Testing for sleep apnea probably would not be covered as a
routine pre-op study unless the doctor has documented a reason he feels a
definative test for diagnosis is needed.
I suspect that you are relatively healthy so you don't need a lot of
testing. Good luck on your surgery in five days! I bet you are getting
excited! Hope all goes well!
— koogy
Click Here to Return