Bariatric Psychological Evaluations
Online Across California, Colorado, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Nevada & Virginia
You don't have to continue letting life pass you by; reclaim your health and power today.
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Choosing to undergo bariatric surgery is a profound, courageous, and deeply personal decision. It is a major step toward reclaiming your health, your mobility, and your future.
Because weight-loss surgery completely restructures your physical body, your relationship with food, and your daily habits, surgical centers and insurance companies require a pre-surgical psychological evaluation.
Too often, this requirement is presented in a way that feels cold, clinical, and deeply stigmatizing. Many patients enter the evaluation feeling anxious, defensive, or worried that they will be "disqualified" or judged for their history with weight and eating habits.
At Grey Insight, we reject the shame-based approach to weight-loss medicine.
We do not treat your evaluation as a test to pass or as a barrier to the care you need. Instead, we provide a compassionate, trauma-informed, and completely non-judgmental space to prepare your mind for the massive psychological shifts that accompany rapid physical change.
Our goal is to act as your clinical ally, helping you identify your strengths, address potential challenges, and build a sustainable mental blueprint for long-term post-surgical success.
Surgeries I provide assessments for:
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Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a bariatric (weight-loss) procedure that removes about 80% of the stomach, leaving behind a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach. This reduces food intake and helps regulate hunger hormones, leading to significant weight loss.
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Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) is a bariatric (weight-loss) surgery that involves reducing the stomach size and rerouting the digestive system to limit food intake and nutrient absorption.
How Does RYGB Work?
Stomach Reduction – The surgeon creates a small pouch from the upper part of the stomach, significantly reducing its capacity.
Intestinal Rerouting – The small intestine is bypassed and connected directly to the new stomach pouch, bypassing a portion of the digestive tract.
Reduced Absorption & Hormonal Changes – Since food bypasses part of the small intestine, fewer calories and nutrients are absorbed, and changes in gut hormones help reduce hunger and improve metabolism.
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Adjustable Gastric Banding (AGB), commonly known as the Lap-Band procedure, is a minimally invasive weight-loss surgery that involves placing an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a small stomach pouch, limiting food intake and promoting gradual weight loss.
How Adjustable Gastric Banding Works
Band Placement – A silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch that holds less food.
Adjustability – The band is connected to a port under the skin, allowing the surgeon to adjust the tightness by adding or removing saline solution.
Slower Digestion & Reduced Hunger – The band slows down digestion, helping individuals feel full with smaller portions.
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Endoscopic Balloon Placement, also known as an intragastric balloon procedure, is a non-surgical, temporary weight-loss treatment where a saline-filled or gas-filled balloon is placed in the stomach to help control portion sizes and reduce hunger. The balloon remains in place for about 6 months, aiding in gradual weight loss by promoting a feeling of fullness with smaller meals.
How Endoscopic Balloon Placement Works
Insertion – The deflated balloon is inserted into the stomach through the mouth using an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera).
Inflation – Once in place, the balloon is filled with saline or gas, expanding to take up space in the stomach.
Temporary Effect – The balloon reduces stomach capacity, helping individuals feel full faster and eat less.
Removal – After approximately 6 months, the balloon is deflated and removed through another endoscopic procedure.
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Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) is a complex bariatric surgery that combines stomach size reduction with intestinal rerouting to limit both food intake and nutrient absorption. This procedure leads to significant weight loss and is particularly effective for individuals with severe obesity (BMI over 50) or metabolic conditions like Type 2 diabetes.
How BPD/DS Works
Sleeve Gastrectomy (Stomach Reduction) – The surgeon removes about 80% of the stomach, leaving behind a smaller sleeve-shaped stomach that holds less food.
Duodenal Switch (Intestinal Rerouting) – The small intestine is rerouted to bypass a significant portion, reducing calorie and nutrient absorption.
Limited Fat & Calorie Absorption – The digestive process is altered so that food mixes with digestive enzymes much later, leading to reduced calorie and fat absorption.
What You Can Expect
Accurate & Insightful Reporting: Each evaluation is tailored to assess mental and emotional factors that may impact bariatric surgery outcomes. Reports provide a clear and objective summary of the psychological history, eating behaviors, coping strategies, and readiness for lifestyle changes.
Comprehensive Assessment: Evaluations include assessing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors related to weight management. Areas of focus may include eating patterns, body image, past interventions, and psychological factors influencing health-related behaviors.
Quality Reports: All reports are detailed and structured to align with the medical and insurance requirements, ensuring a seamless process for surgical approval.
Efficiency: Evaluations are completed promptly and delivered within 5 Business days, allowing patients to proceed with their surgical plans without unnecessary delays.
The Process
Consultation
First, we will start with a consultation to better understand your needs and the evaluation process.
Book your Evaluation
Once we establish the next step, we will schedule your evaluation, which will be conducted virtually for your convenience. This allows for a comfortable, accessible, and confidential assessment from your home or office.
The Evaluation
A comprehensive evaluation consists of a 90-to 120-minute interview. During this time, I will ask a series of questions to gather important information about your medical and psychological history, including eating behaviors, coping strategies, and readiness for surgery.
The Report
After your interview, a comprehensive report will be provided within five business days. Rush processing is available for an additional fee. Please inform us of any deadlines during scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
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+ Bariatric Evaluations: $650.00
**Ask Dr. Grey about Sliding Scale Availability**
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Yes, it is part of the requirements of medical staff and surgeons. The evaluation gives your medical team insight into how they can help you, and if you are adequately prepared for the journey ahead.
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The evaluation consists of a 90- to 120-minute structured interview, conducted via secure video. During this session, I will assess:
Your mental health history and current emotional well-being
Your relationship with food, eating behaviors, and coping strategies
Your understanding of the procedure and post-surgical lifestyle changes
Your support system and ability to manage stress
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Not necessarily. Many individuals with a history of depression, anxiety, or eating disorders successfully undergo bariatric surgery. The evaluation helps determine whether additional support, such as therapy or medication adjustments, might be needed to set you up for long-term success.
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No, Grey Insight and Dr. Michael Grey (hereby known as Evaluator) are not responsible for the outcome of any medical evaluations or procedures for which the assessment is submitted.
The Evaluator is committed to transcribing the Surgical Candidate’s words as accurately as possible; however, the Evaluator is not liable for any information in the evaluation that differs from the Surgical Candidate’s interview or other communication.