Trouble With Clearance

[Megan92877 7]

Has anyone here been held up by psychological clearance? I hit the wall with this in October when the Dr. suggested I started to see a therapist, and have struggled for months to get psych clearance. I finally did, the date was set, I started the pre-op diet, and have struggled with it. I mean, we are going from eating pretty much whatever we please to 4-5 protien shakes a day...it's going to be hard at first, right? I had an appointment with my therapist today and really struggled with being honest about how hard pre-op and making these major changes are on me....I REALLY want to have the surgery and keep telling myself that I can deal with my issues after that.....but now feel guilty that I wasn't totally honest....anyone else? (thanks for letting me vent)

[gottobeme 81]

I think you should be honest with your therapist. I'm guessing the therapist may have known or at least felt you weren't being completely honest. I know it may seem like things are horrible now but imagine if you don't work through your issues and have to deal with them at the same time as learning to live with a new way of eating and a new way of coping, if you've turned to food in the past. The psych consult isn't there to get more money out of us (at least in most cases - lol) it is a measure used to help us long term. Be grateful, as hard as it may be, that you have this opportunity to deal with things before surgery. I'm guessing a lot of the posts we read from those who are unhappy with their band are really unhappy with something else and thought the band would be a fix-all. Think of how they must feel right now!

I have surgery Friday so it may be easier for me to say these things right now since I am not in your shoes. You are right that the pre-op diet is not easy but be honest with yourself and honest with your therapist and find out why it is hard for you, it can only help you in the long run. Vent any time you want! Good Luck!

[Megan92877 7]

Thanks! And good luck on Friday!

[smmrsue 56]

While I think of course you should be honest with your therapist, but you should be more honest with yourself. I did a two week pre op liquid diet and it sucked. Big time. It did get easier but seeing and smelling foods was always difficult. I had to take my breaks somewhere else. Did I think this meant I wasn't ready for surgery? Heck no. I was just testing my willpower, and living through it. Pre op IS hard, especially since it's only liquids and you do not have the benefit of the band to help. It's the hardest LAST diet you will ever do. Hang in there. you don't have to have everything figured out before sugary and have dealt with all of your demons. Geeze that would take years for me! Just be in a place where you are ready to change and ready to deal with them, and ready to get a new relationship with food. Good luck!

[ElizabethAnne 40]

Are you comfortable enough with this therapist to share your true thoughts? If not, perhaps finding a different therapist would be beneficial. Given the circumstances, I understand why you weren't honest with this therapist, yet it's difficult for a therapist to be effective when a client isn't comfortable sharing his/her innermost thoughts and feelings. Pre-op is hard, but a good therapist who possesses the additional training needed for working with weight loss surgery patients will understand your struggles and should possess the skills to help you each step of the way. Best wishes!