Pre-Bariatric Surgery Evaluations 

Steps to get Scheduled - Your Checklist

​1. Verify your referral was faxed to Dr. Foster at 575-652-3654.
​2. Call our office at 575-652-3654 to schedule an appointment.
3. Tell us if you want to fill out your paperwork at HOME (requires a computer) or at our OFFICE in Mesilla.
          3a. OFFICE: If you are seen at the office to complete the paperwork, plan to stay for about 4 hours.
           3b. HOME: If you complete the paperwork on your home computer, you will need to provide an email we can use to send your paperwork.
                         - Check for 3 emails: 1. is an invitation to the Patient Portal  2. Invitation to Q-Global  3. Invitation to PAR I-Connect.
                         - Call if your emails do not arrive within 24 hours.
4. Bring primary/secondary insurance and Identification cards to your appointment.
5. If you are vaccinated, please bring your vaccine card to your appointment. Our office follows a COVID protocol to protect health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do I need a psychological evaluation to get weight loss surgery?

Insurance companies ask for a psychological evaluation before weight loss surgery to make sure that you are making an informed decision about having surgery. Everyone who works with you wants to make sure that you are psychologically and emotionally ready to make the lifestyle changes that will ensure your longterm success for the years that follow your surgery. We do our best to make sure every evaluation is respectful and teaches you something about you or your surgery.

What kind of questions will I be asked?

Most questions are going to look at your motivation to lose weight, how much you understand about the bariatric surgery and  the challenges you've faced with weight loss in the past. 

Does have a mental heath diagnosis or past treatment keep me from getting surgery?

​ No. Having a psychiatric diagnosis or a history of psychotherapy/counseling or of taking psychiatric medicines doesn't mean you can't be successful with bariatric surgery. About 40 percent of bariatric surgery candidates have a history of depression. Depression is treatable with medication and/or counseling and should be controlled prior to weight loss surgery. Many people lose weight pretty easily after surgery, but they gain weight just a few years later.  Sometimes it's because they're responding troubling emotions or relationships that affect the way they eat. If that is happening to you, then taking the time to learn about how to manage these factors can get you closer to the healthy life you're looking for.

Can I take back permission to send the results of my psychological evaluation if I don't agree with them?

No. Before your evaluation, you will be asked if you grant permission for us to send our report with recommendations to your surgeon whether you agree with them or not. 

When will I meet with Dr. Foster?

​After your testing is completed, you will have a face-to-face meeting with Dr. Foster, this interview usually takes 60-75 minutes. After that you are typically done. Sometimes the interview may lead to more testing, but the extra testing/screening is usually done that same day which is why we ask that you set aside 4 hours for the appointment when you're not evaluated online.

What if I fail the tests?

The types of psychological tests you'll be given are NOT PASS/FAIL. Sometimes they can be invalid (not usable), so please take your time and read all written test questions carefully.

Will I know what Dr. Foster's recommends to my surgeon?

Yes. In over 90 percent of the cases, if the testing is completed on the day of, or before your interview, the major recommendations that will be sent to your surgeon will be shared with you before you leave. If all the testing is not completed by the end of your interview, she will schedule a time to review the recommendations with you before sending them to your surgeon. 

Can my surgery be delayed because of the findings from my psychological evaluation?

Possibly. If psychotherapy or a medication evaluation is recommended as part of your bariatric surgery preparation, you will be referred back to your surgeon with those recommendations. Sometimes the therapy is brief and may have no impact on your surgery schedule at all. Especially if you take charge of getting started right away. Less often, the recommendation is for longer-term treatment which could possibly delay your surgery. It's important to remember that there is a reason for each of our recommendations. 

If I decide I want to learn ways to work on my eating behaviors, can I do that through Dr. Foster's office?

Dr. Foster has a developed a mindful eating program  to help bariatric patients learn to respond successfully to cravings, to avoid emotional eating and to challenge the mindset that causes obesity. It might mean exploring things about the messages you received as a child about food and love and food and guilt. Everyone's history is different and holds s the keys to your relationship with food. Dr. Foster's program is structured and time-limited:  it lasts 10-12 weeks.  Dr. Virginia Longoria, psychologist with Arbol de la Vida psychological services also uses the mindfulness program and offers it in the same Mesilla office.

A personal note from Dr. Foster
​"When Therapy is Recommended."

 According to the LABS-2 study published in JAMA in October 2018, FIVE years after losing their maximum weight,  a percentage of patients experienced negative health outcomes:

1. 35% were diagnosed with diabetes
2. 68 percent had high cholesterol
3. 72 percent suffered from high blood pressure 

All three of these findings are associated with lifestyle and habit factors. ​Changing habits takes time and it helps to have an expert in behavioral change lead the way. So if you're told that therapy is necessary prior to bariatric surgery, don't think of it as a downer. See it for what it is, a great way to increase your chances of living your best life after bariatric surgery.