More often than not, surgeons will request that patients participate in a behavioral medicine health assessment prior to undergoing surgery. The reason is to identify and improve surgical outcomes using a mental health assessment. Surgical procedures and recovery require that patients cooperate with their doctors and their treatment regimen (e.g., taking medication as prescribed, evaluating pain ratings accurately, making appropriate lifestyle changes during recovery, etc.). A presurgical psychological evaluation will help determine primary and secondary risk factors prior to surgery.