TheOldMeAgain

I'm seeing a therapist right now n half the time I think she learning it just as I am. We talk and exercises on coping skills that work n learning to accept bad feelings etc. I personal thinks its a waste of my time and all that I'm being taught to understand is common sense. They put all the responsibility on your should and do away way external factors as if that's the key to everything. While I think therapy can help but it depends a lot on the doctor, their experience and method. To each their own.

I always wonder about the different diet approach pre and post opt too. What I plan to take away from it is there's always more then one way to skin a cat. There must not be a best way otherwise so many options wouldn't be available.

That's great your getting the help to get things moving as they should be and unhindered. Let us know when you get your surgery date.

Actually I don't know how it goes. The psychiatrist that did my exam referred me to a psychologist who interview/consulted with me. I didn't know until toward the end the psychologist would only the supervisor of the woman that I will be getting therapy from. I get to meet the therapist tomorrow. She's the one who told she was in the process of getting her license. From what I researched on the Internet you don't have to have a degree or be license to provide professional counseling. Well at least mine is under the supervision of a psychologist. I could complain but at this point I want to get it over with. Also this is all done in-house at the VA Medical Center. I'm sure it's another way for the government to cut costs by hiring counselors in the process of getting a degree.

If anyone is worried or just curious about what psychologists or psychiatrist use as a guideline for psych evaluation this is a must read. About time I got to the Psychopathology section I knew I was unlucky enough to get the By the Book Psychiatrist. It even said there should be a good documented 6 consecutive months of stability etc. I wish I had this Presurgical Psychological Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Candidates guidebook before I did my eval. I would've studied up and been prepared. I apologize if I seem biter because I am a bit. Every time I see or read post about someone getting their surgery date or just came out of surgery I get envious. I'm happy for them all the same. Here is the link: http://asmbs.org/2012/06/pre-surgical-psychological-assessment/

If anyone feels your pain it is I. Something similar happened to me. I tried the seek counseling as a condition for surgery approval. Nope didn't work. When I went to see the psychologist I was referred to she told me that getting therapy is not something I can check off my list so I can get surgery. Guess she had me pegged, lol. Lucky for me she won't be my therapist. I'm being handed off to someone else that hasn't got her license yet. It could be a good thing. After a few sessions with her where I let her know each time how much talking is helping me, I'll ask if she can speak with the psychiatrist that did my psych evaluation. Let him know how far I've come and I'm doing well. Being that I'm just a name he won't remember and the therapist I worked with for wks knows me better he should be more willing to go ahead and approve me. If he doesn't I will call his supervisor n demand a reevaluation from a psychologist/psychiatrist who doesn't have a bias against WLS. I guess some psychologists/doctors/counselors are determined patients get counseling for any perceived issue. It's ridiculous and shouldn't prevent or delay surgery because of it. A life without problems doesn't exist. Good luck with your therapy.

I recommend The Biggest Loser DVDs. They're great for beginners with simple moves like jumping jacks, push-ups, jumping rope, etc. My favorite at the moments is Last Chance Workout. Many find Julian attitude tough but she's not that bad. I have to admit I love Bob energy style more but some of his workouts seem more intense, fast and high impact. Don't be intimidated by them. You can go at your own pace.

Don't give up. It took me 3 months to drop the eight pounds needed. I didn't cheat and I exercised everyday. Sometimes it takes awhile for the weight to show on the scale. My doctor told me no high impact exercise but I did it after walking and swimming proved not to be enough. I brought The Biggest Loser Last Chance workout and after a month the weight came off. But that's for rules benders/breakers like me that sometimes have to do more then were advised to. Just know your limit and what will work for you or need some modifications.

Deep down inside I don't think a lot of psychologists see obesity as a disease. To them there is some underlying issue that can be addressed and treated with just therapy. At least the ones I've come across. I shouldn't be surprise because my PCP and dietician didn't like the ideal of WLS but had to talk to me about it nonetheless because its a medical option I wanted info on. So it wouldn't be that far off if the psychologists felt the same way and have no choice but to counsel on it but don't believe in it. All the testing and prodding they do about things not related to WLS is overkill. Make me think they want to find something wrong.

My psyche evaluation didn't go to well. I had a 45 minute interview along with a 567 T/F questionnaire. A lot really depends on the doctor you have. Some are willing to recommend WLS even if you have depression or other mental issues and others are not. There are many experiences across the board. What it comes down to is Know Thyself. If you feel that you are properly prepared and ready to make a huge like commitment then tell them what they want to hear. Don't bring up all your life problems and past. There is no way that a doctor can accurately say whether your mentally healthy enough or not in such a short period of time.

Thank you and I will!

I asked and the doc said no since I had blood tests done the following months with nothing in my system. He mention they had to make sure I'll follow the post opt instructions etc. I believe it's more about me quitting therapy twice and now somehow that means I can't stick to things. I'm all for counseling but I'm don't see why the long waiting period or not being able to do both. Many have hidden issues and can work on them at the same time handle a stressful life change.

I had my psychological evaluation a week ago and it could not have gone more wrong. I'm going through the Veterans Affairs Medical Center for WLS. I've been going there for health care for the last three years including for counseling. My past came up and I could feel the atmosphere in the room change. Well my history came back to haunt me. I was treated for PTSD and depression a few yrs ago. After a few months I stopped going for various reasons. That also came up. About an hour ago I received a phone call from the psyche doctor. Turns out it was worse than I imagine it to be. He recommend six to twelve months of counseling!! I was speechless. He went down the list of reasons and how its more about me being able to handle stress and be stable before surgery can be referred. I tried to explain my past has nothing to do with my ability to function and deal with stress now. Even asked if I could still have the surgery while at the same time going through therapy. He wasn't open to it. NEVER again will I be honest and open to a psychologist. A 45 minute conversation along with a vague T/F questionnaire is not enough to determine whether I'm mentally prepared to handle a huge life change. Been there, done that and I'm still here. I had no choice but to agree to counseling in hopes of one day getting the sleeve at the VA Hospital. After that I immediate call the office of my bariatric coordinator. I asked if I could get a oustiside psychologist that specialize in WLS or do I have to use the in-house psychologist. The lady that answer the phone said that was a good question and she'll have to get back to me with the answer. So right now I'm venting, upset and waiting. If they won't accept an outside source then I'm going to ask if I can get a second opinion from another in-house doctor or speak with the surgeon to see if a psych eval fail the final answer to proceed with WLS.

I was always skinny until puberty hit when I was 12. Then the boobs popped out and the hips spread. To me it was great. I never tracked my weight as a teenager. I was about average size and able to wear whatever I wanted. Once I became an adult my life was less active n I gained weight. Even with the weight gain I was able to meet the army standards. I was 140 and my height is 5'5. After that I gained weight over the yrs and had to struggle to stay under 150 for the military guidelines. A few yrs ago I got deployed and a lot of things happen that I'll never be able to talk about. Once I got home I became a recluse. The weight piled on and I was too depressed to care. Slowly I came out of denial n tried to lose weigh. I never thought it would be so hard to exercise and lose weight once your over 50 lbs. Now I'm hoping with WLS I'll have the extra tool to help me.