Why do I have to have a psychological evaluation in order to have surgery? This evaluation is recommended for all patients by the National Institute of Health, most surgeons, and most insurance companies. While 10-20% of Americans suffer from clinical levels of depression, approximately 50-60% of appropriate candidates for weight loss surgery report significant depression. We often make suggestions to help you through this process and have greater success post-operatively.

How long will the evaluation take to complete? Prior to your appointment you will complete a psychological survey at Solutions. This will be forwarded to Dr. O’Bryan. Your appointment at his office will be approximately 1 – 2  hours. The evaluation includes a structured interview by the psychologist.

How soon can I be evaluated? We can usually schedule an appointment for you within a couple of days and the results are sent to your surgeon’s office in less than one week’s time after your evaluation.

After the surgery, what support will I receive in adjusting to new daily habits? A typical comprehensive bariatric program will consist of a combination of the following healthcare professionals: a program coordinator, psychologist, dietician, exercise physiologist, and other healthcare professionals. Each expert is dedicated to providing support for bariatric patients both before and after surgery.

What are the support groups like and why should I attend? Support groups give patients an excellent opportunity to talk about personal issues. Most patients learn, for example, that bariatric surgery will not resolve personal relationship issues. Most bariatric surgeons will tell you that ongoing support after surgery helps to achieve the greatest level of success for their patients. Patients help keep each other motivated, celebrate small victories together, and provide perspective on the everyday successes and challenges that patients generally experience. Solutions offers several support group options. Some are focused around a group discussion of a particular topic or theme related to weight loss surgery. Please see our event calendar for a full listing of groups.

Are there psychological risks related to surgery? There is no direct evidence that weight loss surgery can cause any particular psychological conditions. However, social and emotional problems that exist prior to surgery are clearly not removed by surgery. If food is a way of coping, then you may struggle when that coping mechanism is removed. This highlights the importance of attendance at support groups.