Psychological and Nutritional Evaluations
for Bariatric Surgery Candidates
Portrait Health Centers offers prospective candidates for Bariatric Surgery a pre-surgical evaluation in both Psychology and Nutrition. These services are provided by staff Clinical Psychologists and Registered Dietitians who are specially trained to conduct these evaluations.
Evaluations by the Clinical Psychologist and the Registered Dietitian can be ordered together and can be completed in a single 2-hour appointment. Evaluations by either the Clinical Psychologist or the Registered Dietitian can also be order separately.
An evaluation to assess the psychological status of candidates prior to Gastric Bypass or other bariatric procedures may be required by the surgeon or the insurance company. In every case, a psychological evaluation in preparation for surgery is strongly recommended. An evaluation by a general practitioner or internist will not fulfill these criteria. Likewise, an assessment by a social worker or other therapist is not an acceptable choice.
Each surgical candidate should have a thorough psychological evaluation to rule out significant eating disorders or other major psychological illnesses that may negatively affect the outcome of surgery. Those with inadequately treated depression need to be appropriately diagnosed and treated prior to surgery.
Those with a history of alcohol and/or drug abuse also require psychological counseling, as addictive disorders are contraindications to surgery. Even in the absence of psychological disorders, mental preparedness is crucial so that the patient has realistic expectations of the outcome of surgery.
Evaluations by the Clinical Psychologist and the Registered Dietitian can be ordered together and can be completed in a single 2-hour appointment. Evaluations by either the Clinical Psychologist or the Registered Dietitian can also be order separately.
An evaluation to assess the psychological status of candidates prior to Gastric Bypass or other bariatric procedures may be required by the surgeon or the insurance company. In every case, a psychological evaluation in preparation for surgery is strongly recommended. An evaluation by a general practitioner or internist will not fulfill these criteria. Likewise, an assessment by a social worker or other therapist is not an acceptable choice.
Each surgical candidate should have a thorough psychological evaluation to rule out significant eating disorders or other major psychological illnesses that may negatively affect the outcome of surgery. Those with inadequately treated depression need to be appropriately diagnosed and treated prior to surgery.
Those with a history of alcohol and/or drug abuse also require psychological counseling, as addictive disorders are contraindications to surgery. Even in the absence of psychological disorders, mental preparedness is crucial so that the patient has realistic expectations of the outcome of surgery.
Psychological Evaluation
The psychiatric consultation is requested for the purpose of assisting in the diagnosis, treatment, or management of a patient's possible psychological disorder or behavioral problem. The psychological evaluation includes a face-to-face interview between the clinical psychologist and the patient. A general evaluation usually takes no more than 1 hour to complete.
The aim of the psychological evaluation is to provide answers to the following questions:
1) Is the patient competent to decide to proceed with surgery?
2) Does the patient have a past history of drug or alcohol use, abuse or dependence? If
so what role might this play in the future of this patient given the expected stress that occurs in the postoperative period?
3) Is there a presence of any mental health diagnosis relevant to the gastric bypass? If any form of mental health illness is identified then prognosis and treatment advice is provided.
4) Is the patient willing to see the psychologist in the event that depression or anxiety occurs in the postoperative period?
5) Is the patient able to handle the stress of the period that follows surgery?
As part of the Psychological Evaluation, the following issues may also be addressed:
1) Summary of Present Illness
2) Past Mental Health History
3) General Medical History
4) History of Substance Abuse
5) Social History
6) Occupational History
7) Family History
8) Mini Mental Status Examination
9) Other Relevant Information Derived From the Interview Process
Upon completing the Psychological Evaluation, the Portrait Health Clinical Psychologist will provide a written statement declaring the patient mentally prepared to undergo the bariatric procedure, and/or may make recommendations regarding additional measures required prior to surgery. As needed, the psychologist will indicate the need for post-operative counseling and ongoing psychological support with the purpose of helping the patient achieve success.
The aim of the psychological evaluation is to provide answers to the following questions:
1) Is the patient competent to decide to proceed with surgery?
2) Does the patient have a past history of drug or alcohol use, abuse or dependence? If
so what role might this play in the future of this patient given the expected stress that occurs in the postoperative period?
3) Is there a presence of any mental health diagnosis relevant to the gastric bypass? If any form of mental health illness is identified then prognosis and treatment advice is provided.
4) Is the patient willing to see the psychologist in the event that depression or anxiety occurs in the postoperative period?
5) Is the patient able to handle the stress of the period that follows surgery?
As part of the Psychological Evaluation, the following issues may also be addressed:
1) Summary of Present Illness
2) Past Mental Health History
3) General Medical History
4) History of Substance Abuse
5) Social History
6) Occupational History
7) Family History
8) Mini Mental Status Examination
9) Other Relevant Information Derived From the Interview Process
Upon completing the Psychological Evaluation, the Portrait Health Clinical Psychologist will provide a written statement declaring the patient mentally prepared to undergo the bariatric procedure, and/or may make recommendations regarding additional measures required prior to surgery. As needed, the psychologist will indicate the need for post-operative counseling and ongoing psychological support with the purpose of helping the patient achieve success.
Nutritional Evaluation
Prior to surgery, each patient is required to meet with a Portrait Health Bariatric Dietitian Specialist for a Nutritional Evaluation. The goal of the Nutritional Evaluation is to confirm the patient’s understanding of the changing eating behaviors and food selections necessary to achieve post-surgical success.
The Portrait Health Registered Dietitian will confirm that the patient understands that weight loss surgery is a big decision, and that it is extremely importance for the patient to change eating behaviors and food selection practices after surgery.
Once the patient has a clear understanding about the pre- and post-bariatric surgery experience, the patient has taken an important step toward successful surgical outcomes.
During the Nutritional Evaluation and with the help of the Portrait Health Registered Dietitian, the patient will complete a weight and diet history questionnaire. This questionnaire includes information regarding previous attempts at weight loss, including any prior supervised weight loss and exercise program and/or the use of popular diets.
During the Nutritional Evaluation, the following additional information about the patient will be obtained:
1) Medical history and lifestyle assessment
2) Weight loss/gain history and current eating habits
3) Exercise habits
4) Understanding of the surgery
5) Understanding of the lifestyle changes needed for post-surgery
6) Willingness to be compliant with these changes
Upon completing the Nutritional Evaluation, the Portrait Health Registered Dietitian will provide a written statement declaring the patient nutritionally prepared to undergo the bariatric procedure, and/or will make recommendations regarding how the patient can change his/her diet to best prepare for surgery. As needed, the dietitian will indicate the need for post-operative nutritional and dietary counseling and ongoing dietetic support, including the post-op dietary progression, protein and fluid requirements, and vitamin and mineral supplementation, with the purpose of helping the patient achieve success.
The Portrait Health Registered Dietitian will confirm that the patient understands that weight loss surgery is a big decision, and that it is extremely importance for the patient to change eating behaviors and food selection practices after surgery.
Once the patient has a clear understanding about the pre- and post-bariatric surgery experience, the patient has taken an important step toward successful surgical outcomes.
During the Nutritional Evaluation and with the help of the Portrait Health Registered Dietitian, the patient will complete a weight and diet history questionnaire. This questionnaire includes information regarding previous attempts at weight loss, including any prior supervised weight loss and exercise program and/or the use of popular diets.
During the Nutritional Evaluation, the following additional information about the patient will be obtained:
1) Medical history and lifestyle assessment
2) Weight loss/gain history and current eating habits
3) Exercise habits
4) Understanding of the surgery
5) Understanding of the lifestyle changes needed for post-surgery
6) Willingness to be compliant with these changes
Upon completing the Nutritional Evaluation, the Portrait Health Registered Dietitian will provide a written statement declaring the patient nutritionally prepared to undergo the bariatric procedure, and/or will make recommendations regarding how the patient can change his/her diet to best prepare for surgery. As needed, the dietitian will indicate the need for post-operative nutritional and dietary counseling and ongoing dietetic support, including the post-op dietary progression, protein and fluid requirements, and vitamin and mineral supplementation, with the purpose of helping the patient achieve success.
