When you’re preparing for a major medical procedure — like bariatric surgery or a spinal cord stimulator implantation — psychological readiness matters. Not because something is “wrong” with you, but because surgery is a big step that requires understanding, preparation, and support.
At Tailwinds, we offer clear, compassionate presurgical psychological evaluations to help ensure you’re ready — emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally — for the changes ahead. Our goal is not to gatekeep or delay your care, but to support it by providing the documentation your surgical team needs and the insights you deserve.
Presurgical psychological testing is a brief, structured evaluation required by many medical providers before certain procedures. It helps:
Assess readiness for surgery and major lifestyle changes
Screen for untreated mental health concerns that could affect recovery
Evaluate cognitive functioning relevant to surgical outcomes
Identify emotional or behavioral factors that may benefit from additional support
Document clinical findings to assist your surgeon in proceeding confidently
Bariatric surgery (e.g., gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy)
Spinal cord stimulator trials and implants
Other pain management procedures, when requested by the referring provider
Medical teams want their patients to succeed — not just in surgery, but long after. Research shows that mental health, cognitive functioning, and emotional preparation all play a role in recovery, compliance, and long-term outcomes.
Presurgical evaluations are not designed to disqualify you. In fact, most clients pass without issue. The purpose is to:
You’ll meet with a licensed psychologist to discuss your medical history, goals for surgery, and mental health background. We’ll ask about motivation, past treatments, coping strategies, and expectations.
You’ll complete a brief battery of standardized psychological and/or cognitive assessments.
We review your interview and testing results to identify any areas of concern or strength relevant to surgery planning.
We send a clear, well-formatted report to your referring provider within days.
We’re happy to communicate with your care team directly, including surgeons, pain management specialists, or coordinators.
