What is involved in a psychological evaluation for bariatric surgery?

Patients are assessed with regard to symptoms of depression, anxiety, mania, psychosis, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, history of abuse, family history of mental health issues, and any treatment experiences. In addition, a Mini-Mental Status Examination is completed.

What tests are done before bariatric surgery?

Certain basic tests are done prior to bariatric surgery: a Complete Blood Count (CBC), Urinalysis, and a Chemistry Panel, which gives a readout of about 20 blood chemistry values. All patients get a chest X-ray and an electrocardiogram. Many surgeons ask for a gallbladder ultrasound to look for gallstones.

What are the psychological effects of bariatric surgery?

Specific literature on bariatric surgery indicates a higher prevalence of psychological co-morbidities such as mood disorders, eating behaviour disorders and psychological distress in bariatric surgery candidates [53, 54] along with anxiety, personality disorders, alcohol use and low self-esteem when compared to …

What is bariatric assessment?

The cornerstone of a bariatric surgery program is clinical assessment to determine if surgery is safe and appropriate for a particular patient with obesity.

When do you need a pre-bariatric psychological evaluation?

Presurgical Psychological Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Candidates. Accordingly, routine preoperative psychological evaluations should be required in patients who have a history of severe psychiatric disturbance or who are currently under the care of a psychologist/psychiatrist or who are on psychotropic medications.

When does a surgeon do a pre-surgical psychological assessment?

When a surgeon assesses patients for bariatric surgery, he/she ascertains their general health, with the idea of identifying those for whom surgery is too risky and those who have conditions that need to be treated, stabilized, or managed for surgery to be worth its risk.

What kind of tests are done for bariatric surgery?

Testing instruments may include an Audit-C alcohol screen to determine if the person seeking bariatric surgery has any hazardous drinking habits or active alcohol disorders. A drug abuse screening test will be given to determine if a prospective bariatric patient is abusing substances other than alcohol.

How does bariatric surgery affect your psychological health?

In addition, they may realize sometimes unexpected and significant changes in relationships that may result in marked stress. Bariatric surgery is a highly effective procedure that not only reconfigures and/or restricts a patient’s stomach, but significantly affects their psyche as well.