We offer pre-surgical evaluations for bariatric surgery, as well as for chronic pain and implantation of spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal pumps. We work directly with clinical director Dr. Franklin Sollars, who has a PhD in psychology and has been practicing for over 30 years. We complete reports in the most ethical and professional manner and use the most valid and reliable measures to do so. Reports will include the patient’s personal, medical and psychological history. They will also include patient’s motivation for surgery including weight history, expectations and goals, comprehension and understanding of the procedure and risks, patient’s support system, and patient’s reliability. Test results directly from Pearson Clinical Assessment will be included. Finally, diagnosis and recommendations, which will include whether or not patient should have psychotherapy as adjunctive treatment to increase the probability of successful outcome.

We believe that psychological evaluation of patients before bariatric surgery is a critical step, not only to identify contraindications for surgery, but also — and more so — to better understand their motivation, readiness, behavioral challenges, and emotional factors that may impact their coping and adjustment through surgery and the associated lifestyle changes. As such, the psychological evaluation of the patient undergoing bariatric surgery is an invaluable piece of the larger pre-surgical assessment, both in the short and long term.

Likewise, testing prior to extensive pain treatment will help predict whether or not the patient is a candidate for this type of treatment. The evaluation is similar to that described for bariatric surgery and is conducted in the same manner.

Thank you for considering Sollars and Associates Grand Rapids for your testing needs.