Surgery as One Option
We understand that obesity requires a variety of options for treatment, bariatric surgery being one of those options. We specialize in working with the bariatric community and have been working with several hospital programs for many years. If you are considering bariatric surgery, have had bariatric surgery, or are trying to figure out what feels right for you-one thing is for certain-Psychological support and exploration is a vital part for ultimate success and maintenance of success. If we plant a garden but do not tend to it, what chance have we given the garden to grow? What expectations do we have for the garden's growth?
Bariatric surgery is a medical intervention for weight loss, but also for overall improvement in health. It is a tool to aid you in achieving your wellness goals. However, behind every tool is the builder, the operator, the gardener. Providing oneself with support, which can lead to deeper self-understanding, self-compassion, and growth, is one of the best gifts you can offer yourself. We all deserve wellness and a chance to be the self we wish to be. It is not the "easy way out" no matter what anyone tells you.
he choice to have surgery can be a very difficult one, and I am guessing you might have had the experience of feeling misunderstood or questioned about your choice. For some, bariatric surgery can be a "reset" button. A physical intervention that gives way for psychological intervention. A chance to start anew and rebuild your relationship with food; rebuild your relationship to yourself; rebuild your ways of coping. A treatment plan that matches the level of struggle you may be experiencing.
This is hard work. Both physically and emotionally.
Surgical intervention can only go so far. If you are planning to give yourself a chance for change, don't stop there. Buttom line: It is not the "easy way," you are making tough, important choice for yourself. Be proud.
Bariatric surgery is a medical intervention for weight loss, but also for overall improvement in health. It is a tool to aid you in achieving your wellness goals. However, behind every tool is the builder, the operator, the gardener. Providing oneself with support, which can lead to deeper self-understanding, self-compassion, and growth, is one of the best gifts you can offer yourself. We all deserve wellness and a chance to be the self we wish to be. It is not the "easy way out" no matter what anyone tells you.
he choice to have surgery can be a very difficult one, and I am guessing you might have had the experience of feeling misunderstood or questioned about your choice. For some, bariatric surgery can be a "reset" button. A physical intervention that gives way for psychological intervention. A chance to start anew and rebuild your relationship with food; rebuild your relationship to yourself; rebuild your ways of coping. A treatment plan that matches the level of struggle you may be experiencing.
This is hard work. Both physically and emotionally.
Surgical intervention can only go so far. If you are planning to give yourself a chance for change, don't stop there. Buttom line: It is not the "easy way," you are making tough, important choice for yourself. Be proud.
What Services We Provide |
We provide individual psychotherapy to those thinking about undergoing bariatric surgery, those who have had bariatric surgery, and those considering other non-surgical options to promote wellness. Collectively, we many years of experience in working with folks suffering from food addiction, overeating, and body image concerns. Our approach to this work is marked by encouragement, supportive challenge, self-compassion, and learning. We work to provide a non-judgmental, supportive, and safe environment, to uncover personal patterns that are causing distress, and aiding you in deeper self-understanding and self-compassion. This is vital to promote the change you wish for.
We provide exposure therapy to those who are anxious about the surgical process and would like help in reducing their anxiety. Exposure therapy involves exposing you to your fears (needles, hospitals, general fear of surgery, or the unknown of the surgical process) in a safe and calming environment. This allows for anxiety reduction and management. We conduct pre-surgical psychological evaluations for those who are planning to have bariatric surgery. This assessment is usually a few hours, includes an interview and answering several questions through psychological assessments, and a follow-up report for your surgeon. We work to aid patients in preparing for surgery, understanding the process, and providing recommendations for optimizing success and long-term behavior change. |
FAQs about the pre-surgical psychological evaluation
Why am I required to have a psychological assessment?
Not only does insurance require the assessment, but your medical team need it to help you optimize your success and for you to move forward in the surgical process. Bariatric surgery is a physical intervention, which comes with it psychological adjustment and many changes. The assessment is vital in your quality of care; it would be unethical not to explore the psychological side of this process. It would be akin to your surgeon not evaluating your physical health.
Is the purpose of the assessment to prevent me from having surgery?
Quite the opposite. The purpose of the assessment is to explore your history, expectations for surgery, strengths, areas where you might need support, and to explore your overall readiness and ability to undergo the surgical process and to manage the adjustments thereafter. We expect folks to come to us having problems and struggles, we explore how you are managing them and, further, how we can help.
If I am taking medication for psychological concerns or I have been in therapy, will this exclude me from having surgery?
The use of medication and therapy suggests that you are being proactive about your mental health and wellbeing, and you will be encouraged to continue this throughout the process. There is no particular personality pattern that predicts success after surgery; however, there may be behaviors/patterns that you might need help changing in order to move forward in the surgical process or to optimize your success post-surgery. It is common for people to have experienced anxiety and depression, for example, at some point in their lives. Bariatric surgical candidates are no different.
What does the assessment consist of?
First you will call/email to make an appointment. Next you will be asked to fill out the initial paperwork necessary for the assessment. This is done in our patient portal. You will be provided with all of the information regarding your appointment, whether virtual or in person. You will meet with one of our providers and they will conduct an interview and then administer a few questionnaires. The appointment usually takes up to 2 hours. After your appointment, the provider will take all of that data (from the tests and from the interview) and they will score it, analyze it, integrate it, and produce a formal report for your surgeon.
Does insurance cover the assessment and report?
We are in network with a variety of commercial insurance plans. If we are not in network with your insurance company, you will pay for the services out of pocket and we will provide you with a receipt to send to your insurance company for them to reimburse you, based on your out-of-network benefits. Some insurance plans require pre-authorization for this assessment. Make sure to call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card to determine benefits.
Before the assessment, we will provide you with a courtesy benefits check to estimate potential costs to you.
Before the assessment, we will provide you with a courtesy benefits check to estimate potential costs to you.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We are here to help.
No judgment.
No shaming.
No blaming.
we. get. it.
