Guest guest Posted September 8, 2001 Report Share Posted September 8, 2001 > I wonder.....do they have these as requirements for those > undergoing heart bypass surgery?? Hi Judie! I was just wondering the same thing, but the only other surgical procedures that I can think of that require psych evals *before* the surgery are sex-change operations (and those can be YEARS of psych evals). There are lots of other surgeries and health issues that have psych treatment as a recommendation. Many WLS docs and insurance companies cite the NIH guidelines for surgical treatment of obesity from 1991 and the NIH recommends: " patients who are candidates for surgical procedures should be selected carefully after evaluation by a multidisciplinary team with medical, surgical, psychiatric, and nutritional expertise " . I also noticed that there were a lot of psychologists and psychiatrists at this conference and on the panel who put forth the recommendations. For the purposes of research and the larger picture of surgical treatment of obesity, I don't have any problem with psych evals. I do know that the psychologist/psychiatrist may recommend further therapy as a condition of getting or prior to WLS. Some people may even continue therapy for help in coping with the post-op changes. I think it is very wise idea to weed out the psychotics, non-compliants and the potentially suicidal, as one poster mentioned. Even more important is the certainty that the patient is being realistic and is educated about what s/he is about to do. Unfortunately, I've read where some people have their psych evals done by WLS-hostile psychologists/psychiatrists...that can get ugly. You would think the doc would have a network to refer to...or maybe the insurance co did the referral? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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