Pre-Surgery Psychological Evaluations in Los Angeles, CA
As a Los Angeles Psychologist Dr. Reger conducts pre-surgery psychological evaluations for many types of procedures. Certain types of surgeries and medical procedures require psych testing to ensure that a person is psychologically healthy enough to tolerate surgery or have an implantable device. That is because there can be many emotional challenges that come along with these medical procedures.
Types of Pre-Surgery Psychological Evaluations
Bariatric Surgery Psych Eval
Dr. Reger conducts pre-surgical psych evals for weight loss surgery. Surgery centers and physicians require this type of assessment for several reasons. Such as:
Making sure that someone is ready for the surgery
Understanding their motivation for surgery
Preparing them for the psychological and emotional aspects of bariatric surgery.
Bariatric surgery psych evals include a brief interview and several psychological tests. They typically take less than two hours to complete. Dr. Reger will send a report with the results of the pre-surgical assessment to the requesting physician. She will also provide the patient with a brief feedback session to discuss the results.
Pre-Surgery Psychological Evaluations for pain pumps & Spinal Cord stimulators
Dr. Reger also does preoperative psychological assessments for the placement of intrathecal pain pumps and spinal cord stimulators. These are medical devices implanted in the body to manage pain. Surgeons require a pre-surgery psychological evaluation for the following reasons:
Ensuring that a person is prepared for the implant
Making sure that a person has realistic expectations about what the implant will do
Checking that they can cognitively understand and consent to the implant
Ensuring that they have post-operative instructions.
For some people, having a foreign implant in the body can increase worry and anxiety. A preoperative psychological assessment can help prepare them for the procedure. Dr. Reger will conduct a brief interview, a brief cognitive test to screen for any cognitive deficits, and a few psychological tests to examine mood and coping. These results are sent to the requesting physician. Additionally, Dr. Reger will provide a feedback session to the patient as well.
Pre-Surgery Psychological Evaluations For Transplant Surgery
Dr. Reger is qualified and experienced in preoperative psychological assessments for transplants. She can provide assessments required as part of the preparation for kidney, heart, liver, lung, and stem cell transplants. Organ transplant surgery is a major procedure with lifelong follow-up and medication requirements. So surgeons and transplant centers are very cautious, ensuring that each patient is appropriate for a transplant. As part of the pre-surgery psychological evaluation, Dr. Reger will ask many questions about the following:
Life History
Medical problems
Medications
Lifestyle
Support from others
Transplants require support before, during, and after surgery, so having an identified support person is very important. Dr. Reger will also do a brief interview with the support person to ensure they are suited for the role and prepared for what is involved. Additionally, Dr. Reger may do a brief cognitive test or other brief psychological tests, then send a report to the transplant team. The patient will also be offered a brief feedback session to discuss the results of the testing.
Do you need a Pre-Surgery Psychological Evaluation for yourself or a patient in Los Angeles, CA?
Are you someone who is looking for a pre-surgical pain pump, spinal cord stimulator (SCS), transplant surgery, or bariatric surgery psych eval? Or a physician or other medical provider looking for a preoperative psychological assessment for a patient? Either way, Dr. Reger can help you get the assessment that you need to move forward with your procedure at her at various locations around Los Angeles and Southern California. Follow these simple steps to get started:
Schedule your preoperative psychological assessment with an experienced Los Angeles psychologist
Other Therapy & psychological Testing Services in Los Angles, CA
There are several different types of neuropsychological assessments that Dr. Reger provides as a Los Angeles Psychologist at her Redondo Beach practice. Such as for workers comp, dementia, and cognitive decline. Besides psych evals she also offers individual therapy and counseling with older adults.