Bariatric / Pre-Surgical Evaluations

Psychological and behavioral factors can play an important role when determining your readiness for surgery. A psychological evaluation will help identify your strengths, weaknesses, and your motivation for surgery.

The evaluation will help your surgical team know if you understand the post-operative effects, potential complications, and follow-up care required after surgery. A psychological evaluation can also help identify areas that you might need additional support or assistance in.

A psychological evaluation is typically requested for the following surgical procedures

  • Used for weight loss, bariatric surgery requires psychological clearance to identify barriers to positive outcomes. 

  • Used to treat chronic pain, this procedure requires a psychological evaluation to identify underlying psychological issues that could impact pain management. 

  • Patients undergoing organ transplants may require a psychological evaluation to assess their ability to adhere to lifestyle changes. 

  • Patients with underlying psychiatric issues, such as body-image disorders, may require a psychological evaluation. 

  • Chronic pain patients seeking an intrathecal pump may have pre-existing depression and anxiety. 

Benefits of Psychological Evaluations

Outcome Improvements

Psychological evaluations can help identify potential risks and poor treatment outcomes. They can also help ensure patients are willing and able to comply with post-operative lifestyle changes. 

Personal Benefits

After the evaluation, many patients report how valuable it was for them to discuss their thoughts, feelings and expectations about the surgery and how their life will change after the surgery.

Post-Surgical Adherence

Lifelong adherence to a post-surgery regimen can be difficult and is often complex. Depending on the procedure, it may, for example, involve taking multiple medications on a precise schedule, self-monitoring and reporting on physical signs and symptoms. Having information about behavioral change and guidance from a mental health professional can confide in that supports you on your road to recovery, helping you through the changes and challenges in your life can make all the difference.

Lifestyle Transition Awareness

Going through a psychological evaluation can also help you develop healthier habits and better prepare for the post-operative lifestyle. Some surgical procedures require lifestyle changes in order to be effective. The psychological assessment helps you prepare mentally for these scenarios and provides recommendations and strategies for handling them confidently.

What to Expect

Our pre-surgical evaluations typically involve:

  • A clinical interview to gather relevant background information and history. The interview will help us understand important psychological, medical, and social background information, and your current cognitive and psychological functioning.

  • Consultation with your physician and surgeon to learn more about the surgery they are requesting an evaluation for and specific questions they wanted answered in the evaluation.

  • Administration of psychological tests and self-report questionnaires to assess your current level of psychological functioning.

  • After we complete the evaluation, we will write a comprehensive report that integrates our findings, identifies your strengths and weaknesses, provides treatment recommendations, and give it to you and your physician.

  • We will also conduct a feedback session to go over testing results and our treatment recommendations.

Fees

  • Free 15-min Consultation Phone Call

  • Cost of Evaluation - $600-$900

  • Expedited Delivery Available- $300

  • 50% deposit due at the time of booking

  • Remaining balance due before or at the time of service