July 30, 201411 yr Just make it clear that you understand the risks, and be confident in your decision. You must show that you want the surgery for yourself, and that you are NOT doing it because someone else wants you too!
July 30, 201411 yr It is not anything to worry about. Just be truthful and honest and it will be over before you know it. You will soon be one step closer to your band! Woohoo! Colleen
July 30, 201411 yr Author OK ty ladies so much(: and yes I am closer and I'm so happy. I'm positive my insurance will approve. My office said they never have problems with my insurance (: and I got a letter saying they are covering all my visits and will cover surgery if I take the steps I'm supposed to ((: I still have to see the excersice person and one more dietician apt. Then that's it. And I'll have them all taken care or within a week so after that (: I'm more than excited!
July 31, 201411 yr I was so nervous before my psyche eval but it wasn't that bad.. Seriously, he just wanted to make sure that I was ready to go forward with my decision. Best of luck to you!
July 31, 201411 yr Remember one thing, the psychologist is on YOUR side- she wants you to pass. Just be honest and you'll be fine unless you're a total nut job who thinks the band is a magic trick that will do ALL THE HARD WORK FOR YOU. LoL Good luck!!
July 31, 201411 yr I agree with all of the above posted they are on your side and they want to be sure that you are ready for the changes and the commitment that is required. There is always lots of patient compliance in WLS. They want to be sure that you are mentally and emotionally ready for your surgery. I know when I was going through all the testing I really didn't understand why they had this as part of the criteria, but as I went through the exam and my husband went through it as well I understood more about why this is part of the criteria for surgery and I'm glad that it is. I left feeling even more prepared and committed to taking that step. Not all Dr.'s and insurance companies require this step...but I think they should modify that because though it might not seem to be it's truly a helpful step in your preparation for surgery, and an available option should you face issues on the journey as some do with body image and self acceptance etc. Best of luck to you!!
July 31, 201411 yr Author Tyvm. (: I thought about this for a while before I even decided because I wanted to be sure.
July 31, 201411 yr Author Tyvm. (: I thought about this for a while before I even decided because I wanted to be sure.
July 31, 201411 yr If your psychiatrist makes a suggestion, consider it a requirement. I was supposed to have two sessions and then be cleared for surgery. At my first session he suggested I stop eating in front of the tv. At my second session I admitted that I hadn't had success changing that habit. He decided not to clear me for surgery. WHAT!? So I needed to get my act together and show progress by the next month. Was I ticked off? You bet. But in retrospect it was necessary and a real eye opener for me. I spent the next three weeks really focusing on mindful eating and NO tv eating. When I saw him the third time he cleared me. That change in habit made me realize that the band does not work by itself. I was only going to be as successful as the effort I put into this myself. 82 pounds later, I can say that I don't miss tv eating one bit, and I have a strong respect for my band and the discipline it requires. Good luck. You got this!
July 31, 201411 yr Author Ty (: I do not eat at the TV. I set with my kids at the table. But I do eat like 100lbs of food I feel like lol.
August 2, 201411 yr My psyche eval was a joke. I talked with the psychologist for about three minutes, filled out a ten page multiple choice exam and out the door. Done. I guess that what I had to say and the answers I gave on the exam were satisfactory because I was cleared immediately by the psychologist. Don't let the psyche eval throw you. Just listen to what your psychologist has to say, be open and honest and you will be just fine.
August 2, 201411 yr Jeez, I had to take 3 hours worth of multiple choice tests that seemed to be accessing my personality before I could even talk to the psyc doc. It was ridiculous...then I don't think he really even looked at them. The meeting afterwards was easy...I think they each look for different things, like if you are a food addict, bulimic, or have some kind of emotional issues that should be resolved before surgery...they do similar things before organ transplants. Life changing surgeries can be a lot of anguish for some people. They just want to make sure you are doing it for the right reasons, and have a healthy outlook about the aftermath, etc.
August 2, 201411 yr Author Yeah it was long and boring really. He just asked me personal questions about my childhood and adulthood life and typed it all out. And let me go. When I left he told me good luck with my band (: one more apt to go then just habe to wait for insurance to approve. And that apt is on thursday of nxt week ((:
I have 3 days until my apt with the psycitrist. What can I expect?