The Need for Pre-Surgical Assessments
For some surgical procedures, a psychological evaluation is required to
determine eligibility.
Psychological Assessments for Bariatric Surgery
The decision to undergo plastic or bariatric surgery requires dedication and a
serious commitment to lifelong lifestyle changes. As such, many surgeons
require potential candidates to complete a psychological evaluation in order
to determine eligibility for the procedure. Your surgeon is most interested in
your level of understanding regarding the risks and complications of
thesurgery, and your desire to follow the basic recovery plan to see if
surgery is right for you.
Areas Covered in Psychological Assessments for Bariatric Surgery Candidates
-
Behavioral Components
- Previous attempts at weight management
- Eating and dietary styles
- Physical activity and inactivity
- Substance abuse
- Health related risk-taking behavior
- Legal history
-
Cognitive and Emotional Functioning
- Cognitive functioning
- Knowledge of obesity and surgical interventions
- Coping skills, emotional modulation, and boundaries
- Past psychotherapy
-
Developmental History
-
Any childhood history of weight-related ridicule and its related impact.
-
The role that food may have played, along with any attempts to use it as
a source of love, comfort, companionship, control or dissociation,
during childhood.
-
The degree and quality of attachments in social relationships outside
the home.
-
Parental availability and stability as well as the quality of the bond
with the identified patient.
-
Current Life Situation
- Stressors
- Utilization of Social Support
-
Motivation & Expectations
-
Expectations regarding psychosocial, emotional and lifestyle challenges
and adjustments post-surgery
- Possible Body Dysmorphia Disorder, anxiety, or other issues.
-
Unrealistic expectations and how these could affect recovery and weight
management both short- and long-term.
Psychological Assessments for Implantable Device Surgery
Psychological and behavioral factors have long been understood to be important
in assessing the suitability of patients for implantable devices. In the
management of chronic pain patients, spinal cord stimulators, morphine pumps
and other devices have been used to alleviate unremitting pain, to increase
functional ability, and to allow patients to discontinue or limit the chronic
use of narcotic medication. Insurance companies often require individuals who
are candidates for an implantable device undergo a psychological evaluation to
determine whether they are suitable to receive and manage the device.
Areas Covered in Psychological Assessments for Implantable Device Surgery
Candidates
-
Behavioral Components
- Physical activity and inactivity
- Substance abuse
- Health related risk-taking behavior
- Legal history
-
Cognitive and Emotional Functioning
- Cognitive functioning
- Expectations of amount of pain relief
- Coping skills, emotional modulation, and boundaries
- Possible Body Dysmorphia Disorder, anxiety or other issues
- Understanding of the proposed procedure
-
Developmental History
-
Current Life Situation
- Stressors
- Utilization of Social Support
-
Motivation & Expectations
-
Expectations regarding psychosocial, emotional and lifestyle challenges
and adjustments post-surgery
-
Unrealistic expectations and how these could affect recovery and weight
management both short- and long-term.
What to Expect from a Pre-Surgical Psych Assessment?
The testing will involve a session with
Dr. Tansman
to gather relevant background information and history. You will then
complete various self-report inventories and/or personality tests.
The psychologist will consult with your surgeon and/or primary care physician
if necessary in order to ensure a thorough evaluation tailored to your needs.
You will also be given a copy of the completed report for your own
records, and if you wish to have it sent directly to your surgeon, Dr.
Tansman will be more than happy to assist you with that as well.
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