Adult Bariatric Assessment
A Psychological evaluation before bariatric surgery is a standard practice, and there are several reasons for this:
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Identification of Psychological Factors:
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A psychological evaluation helps identify any underlying mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders, which may impact the success of bariatric surgery. Individuals with untreated psychological issues may struggle to adhere to the necessary lifestyle changes post-surgery.
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Assessment of Readiness:
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Bariatric surgery requires significant lifestyle changes, including modifications to eating habits and increased physical activity. A psychological evaluation helps assess the individual's readiness and ability to make and sustain these changes.
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Screening for Eating Disorders:
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Individuals seeking bariatric surgery may have a history of disordered eating. A psychological evaluation helps screen for conditions like binge eating disorder, which may need to be addressed in the context of the surgery.
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Evaluation of Social Support:
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Social support is crucial for the success of bariatric surgery. The evaluation assesses the patient's social support system, including family and friends, to ensure there is a supportive environment for the post-surgery recovery and lifestyle changes.
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Understanding Motivation:
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Assessing the individual's motivation for seeking bariatric surgery is important. Understanding the motivations helps healthcare professionals tailor support and education to address the specific needs and expectations of the patient.
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Risk Assessment:
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Psychological evaluations can help identify potential risk factors that may affect the individual's ability to cope with stressors, both pre- and post-surgery. This includes evaluating the individual's ability to manage stress without relying on food as a coping mechanism.
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Enhancing Treatment Planning:
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The psychological evaluation provides valuable information that can be used to develop an individualized treatment plan. This plan may include pre-surgery counseling, ongoing psychological support, and strategies to address behavioral and emotional aspects of weight management.
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Improving Post-Surgery Outcomes:
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Research suggests that individuals who undergo a psychological evaluation before bariatric surgery may have better post-operative outcomes. Addressing psychological factors before surgery can contribute to improved adherence to post-surgery recommendations and a higher likelihood of long-term success.
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Ethical Considerations:
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Ethically, healthcare professionals want to ensure that individuals are making an informed decision about bariatric surgery. A psychological evaluation helps ensure that the decision is well-considered, taking into account physical and mental health factors.
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In summary, a psychological evaluation prior to bariatric surgery is a comprehensive assessment that aims to identify psychological factors that may impact the success of the surgery. It allows healthcare professionals to tailor interventions and support to address the unique needs of each patient, contributing to better overall outcomes.
Step 1
You must first purchase the assessment at the very affordable rate of $499. You can pay all at once or set up an easy payment plan.
Step 2
Once payment is received you will be emailed multiple forms that must be completed in a timely manner. It is important that you are the one filling out all forms. These forms include:
Consent For Telehealth Psychological Evaluation and Adult Bariatric Intake Information.
Step 3
Once the above forms are completed, you will receive an email from a 3rd party assessment site (MHS Assessments) with an assessment to complete. This is the MBMD.
Step 4
After you have completed all required forms and assessment, we will contact you through email to schedule your virtual visit with our psychologist. The virtual visits can take up to one hour. Our psychologist will discuss your history with weight management, pre-surgery requirements, and post-surgery lifestyle.
Step 5
After the virtual appointment, our psychologist will review everything and interpret findings. A diagnostic report will then be completed and emailed to you. Take your report to your medical professional overseeing your surgery process. It is that easy!
Disclaimer
Not all assessments will result in a clearance for bariatric surgery. This could be for a variety of reasons. If this happens, you will still be provided some direction about additional steps if needed.