Overall Results (score 59)

At this time, it is recommended that weight loss surgery be performed only after addressing serious concerns about Sam's ability to handle the psychological challenges that this procedure entails. The medical staff should evaluate these results and guide him in finding a qualified counselor to help him develop certain traits and skills that can help improve his chances of success. Once his specific problems are addressed, he may be better prepared for surgery. It is absolutely essential for patients undergoing weight loss surgery to be in a healthy state of mind, as this is a life-changing procedure that cannot be taken lightly.

Psychological Status

Weight loss surgery requires a lifelong commitment to healthy practices, which could be a complete shift from what a person is used to. Moreover, patients who struggle with self-image issues, who have a poor relationship with food, or who struggle to deal with stress may still have these issues after surgery. In order to be able to handle the challenges of pre-surgery preparations and post-care protocols, a person must be in a healthy state of mind. The following results will offer insight into Sam's current psychological condition.

Healthy Coping Strategies (score 54)

While Sam may use a few healthy coping strategies, he doesn't use them consistently. This could in turn exacerbate his stress level. Without an effective stress buffer, he places his mental and physical well-being at risk. This will make it difficult to overcome the challenges that come with undergoing weight loss surgery. Adopting healthier coping strategies and, most importantly, putting them into practice, will help him persevere through tough times with greater resilience.

Here is a review of Sam's coping strategies:

Problem Solving (score 100)

Sam is an excellent problem-solver. When confronted with a stressor, he looks at it from a number of perspectives, searching for different ways to fix it, thanks to his ability to harness the power of a systematic problem-solving approach. He works hard to come up with workable solutions, and does not limit himself to easy answers. This will empower him, encourage him, and help him feel a great sense of control over his body and his life. Just be aware that this approach will not work in all situations, particularly if he cannot change the stressor; in fact, fighting to find a solution could leave he more frustrated than anything else. Under these circumstances, it would be best to use a technique to help him cope with the emotions surrounding the situation.

Information Seeking (score 88)

When Sam experiences stressful situations, he often seeks out information from a variety of sources in order to him help cope. He may not do this all the time, but it seems to be one of his first instincts. Collecting information about a stressor or problem, be it online or from a professional, likely makes him feel more in control of his circumstances. Not only will he be in a better place to understand the stressor, it could also lead him to the perfect solution. It would be a good idea for Sam to use this coping strategy more often.

Negotiation (score 66)

When dealing with stress, Sam sometimes uses negotiation as a part of his coping strategies, but doesn't practice it often enough. Negotiation can include compromising with other people when in a stressful conflict situation, or changing his behavior or attitude in order to adapt to the situation at hand. These are useful strategies because they can potentially mitigate the impact of the situation on his life. If he accepts that difficult obstacles will cross his path sometimes and adjust accordingly, it could reduce the intensity of the circumstances and even help him find a solution. It is thus in his best interest to use this coping technique more frequently.

Social Support (score 43)

Unless he finds himself in an extreme situation, Sam rarely asks others for help or support. He wants to do things on his own. This could be because he feels his problem should be his responsibility. To ask for help also requires a comfort with vulnerability, and this might not be something that Sam is at ease with. While he is not obligated to ask others for help, it could really be to his benefit. Working with family, friends or an online support group could make it easier for him to adjust to life after weight loss surgery. It would be a good idea for Sam to reconsider his stance on asking others for help.

Emotional Regulation (score 16)

Sam does not try to self-regulate his emotions when he is under stress. He likely finds himself extremely tense during difficult periods in his life, and may find that he is unable to control the well of emotions that arise. Without an emotional outlet, his stress level will have a negative impact on his health and well-being. Learning how to stay calm, even in stressful times, and finding outlets for his emotions is extremely important in scenarios where Sam has little control over the source of stress. It would be a good idea for him to work with a therapist and learn relaxation and mindfulness techniques.

Positive Cognitive Restructuring (score 50)

Sam does not engage in positive cognitive restructuring when he is under stress. This can make problems seem more overwhelming to him, increasing their severity as the other issues in his life seem to shrink in importance. Even for the most severe stressors, reframing his way of thinking can be of help. Strategies such as putting things into perspective, comparing his situation to others who have it worse, or looking for the hidden benefits of a crisis can help him feel better about what he is going through. Adopting a more positive mindset can help Sam cope with stress by mobilizing his strengths and serving as a source of motivation.

Distraction (score 27)

Sam is generally unable to distract himself from stressful situations, and likely finds his day completely interrupted by whatever problem he is facing. This likely makes it very difficult for him to stay focused. While completely avoiding a situation is not in his best interest, no one can afford to think about a problem all the time. Sometimes it can really be helpful for him to get his mind off things and just have fun. Learning to distract himself even when things are intense can be an effective coping strategy, so long as the things he chooses to occupy his attention are not harmful to his health.

Proactive Attitude (score 60)

Sam is proactive to some extent, but chances are that the more complex the challenge he faces, the more difficult it is for him to induce himself to take action. He may also procrastinate on some occasions, and would prefer to wait for someone to tell him what to do. It's important for Sam to realize that while it's prudent to consult others and to take the time to carefully think a problem though, it's best to take action rather than wait too long, as it could make a bad situation worse. Being passive could also increase his fear of a situation.

Self-Motivated (score 62)

Sam's self-motivation is inconsistent. Sometimes he is able to push himself to take action and overcome difficulties, but may lose momentum along the way - especially if an objective is particularly challenging or fraught with obstacles. Using extrinsic incentives will likely help keep him motivated, but he needs to be able to maintain a high level of drive without relying on other people or on incentives. Essentially, he needs to find more effective ways to inspire and push himself.

Here is a review of the factors related to self-motivation:

Self-Efficacy (score 65)

Sam's self-efficacy and belief in his abilities is fairly strong, but there may still be a few doubts and fears that he will need to work through. These fears can be addressed with his doctor and/or a therapist, so that they won't hold him back as he tackles life after surgery. The stronger his confidence and assurance, the less likely he is to be sidetracked and discouraged by obstacles. He needs to continue to remind himself that no matter the challenge he faces, he will manage to find a way to overcome it.

Self-Discipline (score 54)

Sam is moderately self-disciplined, which means that while he has the ability to overcome certain barriers that can hinder his success, he likely won't be able to keep up the momentum for very long. His discipline tends to falter sometimes, and he will find himself getting distracted more easily or unable to push himself to complete an objective. Achieving his weight goals requires follow through, which in turn requires discipline. It is essential that Sam strive to improve in this area or he will be more likely to fall into habits that will hinder his weight loss.

Sense of Control Over Health (score 70)

Sam's locus of control is more internal than external. He feels that for the most part, he has some control over his health; outside factors may interfere, but he doesn't see himself as being totally helpless to change things. As a result, he is more likely to take initiative and be proactive in his approach to his weight loss goals because he believes that he can make a difference. In addition, his tendency to attribute success and failure to his own efforts means that he is generally willing to be accountable for his actions.

Tolerance for Frustration (score 53)

There are some frustrations and delays that Sam can tolerate to a certain degree; others tend to try his patience. He doesn't possess a great deal of tolerance for annoyances, which could result in stress and discouragement. It can be difficult to stay composed when he is forced to deal with a slow recovery and weight loss process, but it is essential for him to be patient with himself and with his body. He must learn to keep his situation in perspective, and acknowledge that he will achieve his weight loss goals slowly but steadily.

Unhealthy Mindset (score 53)

Sam experiences negative emotions on occasion, and if something is really bothering him, these feelings may linger. When life gets tough he will find himself feeling a little melancholic, but will at least try to change his mood before it spirals - and issometimes able to do so. His disposition in general tends to vary: Some days he is upbeat, other days he is a little more negative. If he can find or be taught ways to boost his positivity, it will help him keep his weight loss journey in perspective, especially when things are not progressing as quickly or as well as he would like them to.

Here is a review of the factors affecting his mindset:

Rumination (score 83)

Sam has a tendency to ruminate. There may be some occasions where he is able to stop himself from over-thinking things and spiraling into negativity, but he is generally not successful. When something bothers him, it's a struggle for him to keep it in perspective, which can often exacerbate the issue. This can result in distraction, and potentially affect his mood as well. Although there's nothing wrong with giving a situation or problem the thought it deserves, Sam can't allow it to become an obsession, which is something he will often find himself doing.

Helplessness (score 48)

Sam seldom, if ever, concedes defeat or stops trying to overcome a difficult situation. Instead of seeing himself as helpless, he does whatever he can to find a way out of his circumstances. Even if he fails, he still won't allow himself to throw in the towel. He knows he has the ability to triumph over hardship if he just keeps trying. Sam is a tough fighter who refuses to give up hope.

Opposition (score 62)

Sam sometimes lashes out at others when he is under a lot of stress. Although this is understandable and can be forgiven every once in a while, people will resent him if allows his stress level to become uncontrollable and his behavior unmanageable. He needs to keep an eye on this inclination and find a better outlet for negative emotions. After surgery, it is essential to have as many people on his side as possible.

Avoidance (score 46)

While part of him may want to avoid a problem entirely, Sam knows that it's not always possible to do so. In fact, he likely feels better when he deals with a problem right away rather than letting it simmer. While it is not always possible to totally overcome major stressors he can always learn to deal with the emotions involved. Sam doesn't run from problems or challenges and has the courage to face whatever comes his way, even if deep down he is feeling scared or unsure of himself.

Social Withdrawal (score 56)

While it's fine to take some time alone to gain perspective on a situation and compose himself, it's best not to do so this for too long. Isolation is something Sam generally tries to avoid. He may feel like pulling away from others, perhaps out of fear of burdening them or worrying them, but this is not in his best interest - and hiding his problems from them may not even be in their best interest either. Oftentimes, simply talking about a problem can do wonders for his stress level.

Food Guilt (score 35)

While unhealthy eating habits may have been the source of Sam's current weight issues, he refuses to allow himself to feel bad about food and eating in general. He likely enjoys the experience, and this is how it should be. Making himself feel guilty for a craving or for eating more than he would have liked to is not the way to go about motivating himself to adopt a healthier lifestyle. He recognizes that the path to better health is making smart food choices but at the same time, will not allow food guilt to change his opinion of himself.

Self-Esteem Issues (score 43)

Sam has a few self-esteem issues that he may need to work through. He likely has some hang-ups about himself, and may find his self-esteem going through some ups and downs when he makes a mistake, fails, or when others don't treat him as well as he would like them to. However, he at least recognizes that he has value, and is generally content with who he is. A healthy self-esteem will be crucial to his post-surgery recovery, because his body and his life will go through many changes, some of which will not be pleasant.

Anger Issues (score 70)

Sam's ability to manage his anger is limited, which is a concern. It likely doesn't take much to get a rise out of him, although he likely tries to stay composed. Unfortunately, it appears to be a struggle more often than not. Anger is not necessarily a "bad" emotion to feel - what matters is how Sam expresses it. It is important that he learn how to manage his anger more effectively. Some Bariatric patients may harbor negative feelings about their weight, which could include anger for allowing themselves to reach such a point. Moreover, seeing body changes after weight loss, while exciting, could also turn to anger and self-blame (or blaming others) if progress isn't consistent. These negative feelings could lead to stress and/or behaviors that could negatively impact recovery (e.g. binging, drinking, etc.).

Unhealthy Eating Patterns (score 32)

Overall, Sam has a fairly good relationship with food. While he likely recognizes that too many calories have lead him to his weight gain predicament, he doesn't view food as the "enemy;" he sees it as something to be enjoyed but in healthy moderation. This attitude will likely make it easier for him to adopt a healthier eating pattern after surgery, which will in turn help him lose weight.

Here is a review of Sam's eating patterns:

Using Food as a Reward (score 50)

Although he doesn't do it all the time, Sam will occasionally use food as a means to push himself to take action or as a form of praise. However, even if he doesn't make a habit of it, this is an impulse that he will need to temper after surgery. Using food as a reward could hinder his weight loss and perpetuate an unhealthy dependence on food. There is nothing wrong with being reward-oriented - he just needs to find better rewards.

Using Food as a Comfort (score 10)

No matter how much life gets him down, Sam is unlikely to use food as a source of comfort. The impulse may be there, but he rarely, if ever, gives in to it. This is a habit that he does not wish to develop because he likely recognizes that it can create an even stronger dependence on food. While this doesn't necessarily guarantee that he is using healthy methods to cope with difficult times, it does show that he is able to restrain the inclination to turn to comfort food.

Emotional Eating (score 29)

While strong emotions may occasionally impact his eating habits, Sam does not have a strong tendency towards emotional eating. He may have chosen other avenues to deal with emotional ups and downs - and as long as they are healthy outlets (see Healthy Coping Strategies section), then he is on the right track. He seems to be able to differentiate between true, physical hunger and an emotional yearning for relief.

Binge Eating Disorder (score 43)

Sam does not have a strong tendency toward binge eating, or at least does not display enough symptoms to warrant concern. Even if his eating habits may have been part of the reason for his weight gain, he seems to be able to control the amount of food he eats in one sitting, and is unlikely to overdo it. This is important because post-surgery, he will need to eat small meals and more slowly, or he risks major digestive discomfort.

Grazing (score 50)

Sam has a slight tendency to "graze," which involves eating several small meals throughout the day. While this may seem harmless, eating too many meals and too many calories will inhibit his weight loss efforts and, in fact, could result in weight gain. Grazing is not an eating disorder, but it can still be detrimental to Sam's health. His eating habits post-surgery will need to comprise of small meals at a slower pace, but he will still have to follow a strict calorie intake. A tendency to graze, even if only occasional, will need to be restricted.

Substantial Evening Eating (score 20)

Sam is not in the habit of eating large meals at night. Aside from the potential for weight gain, eating a lot before bed could result in acid reflux and an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. Fortunately, this isn't likely to be a problem for Sam.

Nighttime Snacking (score 0)

It is unlikely for Sam to eat snacks late at night - and it is a good idea not to start this after surgery, even if it's only a small amount of food. Given that his calories will be severely restricted, even a small snack could push him over his limit.

Lifestyle Habits

Unhealthy lifestyle habits - or being unable to stick to healthy ones - can hinder a patient's healing and weight loss after surgery. Bariatric patients will need to adopt a healthier lifestyle, including eating the right foods, taking vitamins, getting regular exercise, and breaking unwholesome addictions. The following section will provide information on Sam's current lifestyle habits, allowing doctors to determine if any changes will need to be made in order to improve post-surgery outcomes.

Unhealthy Weight Loss Habits

(Note: This scale is only provided as information and does not count toward Sam's overall score).

When it comes to weight loss there is no quick fix. Even Bariatric surgery, which is only done in extreme circumstances, is not an easy feat, and requires a lifetime commitment to healthy practices - this is the key to Sam's weight loss. Using other methods to lose weight aside from healthy eating and exercise could cause significant health problems.

Here is a review of Sam's weight loss habits:

Substance Addiction

(Note: The results below are only provided as information and do not count toward Sam's overall score).

Certain substances can cause complications before and after surgery. Post-surgery, caffeine could cause significant digestive distress and may affect absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. Smoking, aside from generally being bad for a person's health, can delay healing and cause a number of serious health issues including blood clots and strokes. After surgery, Bariatric patients' tolerance for alcohol will not only be lower, but the consumption of these empty calories could hinder weight loss. It is thus in the best interest of all patients to refrain from using these substances.

Here is a review of Sam's substance use:

Adherence History

(Note: The results below are only provided as information and do not count toward Sam's overall score).

Patients who have undergone weight loss surgery must adhere to a totally new lifestyle that they will have to keep up for good. Aside from taking vitamins, supplements, and medication, they must also consume a specific amount of calories and certain types of foods on a consistent basis as well as exercise regularly. Even the process of eating will change, as patients are required to eat much more slowly or risk digestive upset. This could be a stark contrast to what many people are used to and therefore, requires a strong commitment.

The following is a review of Sam's adherence history. Please note that some patients may not have had to adhere to a drug, exercise, or medical program in the past and therefore, a full evaluation of his or her adherence history cannot be made.

Exercise Habits

(Note: The results below are only provided as information and do not count toward Sam's overall score).

Exercise will not only help Bariatric patients lose weight, build muscle, and increase flexibility, it could also boost mood. Long-term success post-surgery requires a lifetime commitment to exercise. Individuals who have never exercised before will need start gradually. It is important to keep in mind, however, that exercising too intensely in an effort to lose weight more quickly can cause serious injury and sidetrack recovery.

The following is a review of Sam's exercise habits. Please note that the assessment asked several questions about a test-taker's exercise practices. With every question, we offered users the option to indicate that they do not exercise. Thus, if Sam does not exercise at all, this will be indicated several times in the results below. If, however, the results are mixed (the user indicated that he/she does not exercise for one question, but then indicated that he/she does exercise in another, it might be a good idea to investigate further on a one-on-one basis, as the user may have been answering carelessly or inconsistently.

Impression Management (score 0)

This scale assesses to extent to which the results on this assessment are distorted or manipulated. Many people will try to present themselves in a better light, especially if the stakes are high.

Test-takers' answers are compared to the responses obtained from a large sample of the population. When someone systematically selects socially desirable responses that are rarely endorsed by others, there is a good reason to believe that a positive self-presentation bias is at play. A score that is suspiciously high may indicate that a person was lying, which may invalidate the whole assessment.

There was little or no indication in Sam's results to suggest that he was either lying or trying to present himself in a favorable light. Therefore, his results can be seen as accurately reflecting who he is.

Advice made available with actual full reports only.