Obese patients, who are planning for obesity surgery, have to undergo a pre-operative evaluation to analyze the risks that will be associated with the surgery.  The pre-operative evaluation includes standard tests like blood tests, measurement of blood pressure, test for any pre-existing nutritional deficiencies, etc.  The patients are also evaluated psychologically to determine their mental stability for the surgery.  American association of Psychiatry recommends psychological evaluation for all obese patients who wants to undergo surgery for reduction of their excessive weight.

Below are the reasons for the requirement of a comprehensive presurgical psychiatric evaluation.

• A research report published in 'The American Journal of psychiatry' states that psychiatric disorders are prevalent among bariatric surgery candidates.  A psychological evaluation will therefore, determine any such existing disorder like binder eating.  The idea is to treat the patient for such disorders first and then follow it up with a weight loss surgery, so that better weight loss results are achieved.
• Weight loss surgery candidates are required to be able to tolerate the risks of surgery and strictly follow a postoperative regimen that requires lifelong changes in diet and activity.  A psychological screening will help in analyzing the patient's mental preparedness for the upcoming lifestyle changes.
• Very often, the bariatric patients are found to have unrealistic weight loss expectations.  Many such patients have report dissatisfaction relating to excess skin or flabbiness and weight loss results.  A psychological screening therefore, will be addressing these issues.

In summary, pre-surgical psychological evaluation will serve as an educational tool by explaining the patients about the post-surgery outcomes. Such an interaction will help in setting right expectation regarding the surgery in the minds of patients and will prevent any dis-satisfaction that might arise due to false hopes set by the patients. Weight loss surgery Mexico patients might undergo a consultation with a psychiatrist at their home destination.  Many a times, a psychological screening is included in the weight loss surgery Mexico packages offered by the hospitals or medical tourism companies.  Patients considering weight loss surgery in Mexico or any other destination should consult their surgeon to get more details about the psychological screening process.