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So Im moving closer to my goal. Im at the goal weight my dr recommended. I have been following a 1200 caloried diet of basically clean food for several months, I have had the occassional day off on the weekend and my son and I have pizza or something...I guess those days will be gone soon enough. I have attended the support group the nutrition class, seen the surgeon. Tomorrow is my Psych evaluation. I have no idea what to expect. I take medication because I get anxious and sometimes a bit depressed. Im hoping that she wont start talking about my deep rooted issues...I'm scared if i start crying she will put me down as needs to work on things :) Im a cryer, if I'm mad or upset...I hope I can just stay light and positive...just nervous. not sure what this really is about or what happens. Everyones journey is so different with different insurance and private pay surgery. I am using Kaiser and they have their own protocols. This is my last step Im told before we talk surgery...so its a big deal for me.

Two years ago I started the same process with a different kaiser office. My surgeon was horrible, the NUT was horrible, everyone seemed to try and talk you out of it and make it so scary you thought you would fail but everyone i knew that had a bariatric surgery had varying levels of success. I had to lose 45 lbs last time..well you guys have heard it. If I can lose that on my own then why do I need surgery. Well I lost 50lbs, I was at the gym several days a week, eating clean for the most part and losing weight on my own...i decided to do it myself since i felt no support from the surgeon or the NUT. Then i had a hip injury, became immobile and the story is the same as always, the weight came back, my eating habits went to comfort and now here I am two years later 15 lbs heavier, starting again worse off than ever. Still full of questions, scared to death Im not making the right choice. Scared of the complications or things that could happen since Im a single mom. Feels so selfish that i am putting myself at risk... Why cant i do it on my own and make it last:( My son deserves a healthy mom that can get up and down off the ground and run with him. Im just scared to death. Wish it would just get here already and get it over with..

I have come to terms with the fact that I might be able to do it on my own, I might not. It might last it might not but I am trying this time to do the surgery and see if my life can be what i hope it can. Better. I want mobility, health, and to be active and live life with my son!

Wish me luck with the psych tomorrow. God knows I'm gonna need it!!

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The psych should be evaluating to make sure you understand the risks and benefits, have an adequate support system, are willing to so whTever is required to be successful and that sort of thing. He/she should also be checking to make sure you're not psychotic or manic or suicidal.

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I just had my psych eval on Saturday and it was the easiest visit so far!! I'm sure you will do fine.

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My psych eval was on the first things I did. I think it depends on the psychiatrist because my meeting was 2 hours long and it was a lot more than just making sure I knew what I was getting into. She did make me cry and I don't think I'm that emotional of a person but when she started asking me how I felt about gaining weight back and being at my current weight, it was a bit emotional.

Overall, I got a paper later that said I should work on "developing emotional regulation" and that she thinks I have anxiety. So I took her advice and got a workbook on anxiety and started reading it and I just don't see it. I am truly being open minded but I don't have any of the symptoms of anxiety. Course I don't want to tell her that because she might think I'm in denial or don't want to face something. I am afraid of her brain witchcraftery.

I don't buy into the things she said but I'm putting my head down and go through each of these pre-op hoops one at a time. Look at this as just another hoop you have to jump through and you will get through it.

If it helps, I learned recently that the most prescribed medications in America right now are anti-anxiety and anti-depressants. I'm sure they've seen tons of people just like you and everything will work out just fine. Remember, they are in the business to get patients to surgery, that's how they make money.

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Hi first congrats on your choice to be healthy and your determination , take a breath you have earned it and I honestly believe you got this . Keep us posted and best of wishes my friend .

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I had my psyche evaluation last week. It was brief, concise and to the point. She just wanted to be sure that I wasn't a suicidal person, that I had a good support system and that I understood the post surgery requirements. It was easy and the psyche was pleasant. But with all the being said I already see a therapist (since my divorce several years ago) & I see a psychiatrist for stress meds. She seemed very happy to hear that so maybe that's why it went so quick and easy.

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I had my psych eval yesterday. It was about two hours long. I first had to do a "test" with lots of questions (about 400). Then we talked for about an hour and a half. I felt so much better as I left there. He told me that my choice of surgeon was excellent and he will 100% recommend me for the surgery. We talked about my support system for after surgery, work stress, stress eating, past diets, my childhood, relationship issues that can appear after surgery. He asked me to call him if there are any issues with my husband after and not to wait to talk to someone. He was great. Definitely the appointment I was dreading, but love the way it turned out.

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The psych eval isn't anything to worry about...it's basically to make sure you understand what you're doing and that you're not delusional/psychotic/seriously mentally ill.

I'm sure your psychologist will understand the history of depression/anxiety you've had especially since us fat ladies are shamed by society constantly. I don't have so much anxiety but have been on depression meds since 2002.

The test you may have to take, that was mentioned above, is called the MMPI. Stands for Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Again, I'm pretty sure the only way you can go wrong is if you're seriously mentally ill, so it seems you're good to go. Hugs! :)

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Just had mine last week - it was fine, she split it into 2 sessions. The first session we talked about my diet history, my understanding of the procedure and what rules I'd have to follow afterwards, goal setting, etc. The second one, we went over my medical history and she had me take some evaluations (like the multiple choice scan-tron stuff from school). Easy-peasy. I don't know how most offices handle it, but this one set up another appointment to review the results and go over some customized tips for success before sending the recommendation off to the surgeon.

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I had mine at the end of July & I found it to be refreshing...so refreshing that I plan to use him (hopefully for at least the 1st year). I did some research, because I was nervous, too. They sent a packet of questions to me in the mail to bring to my appointment; the doctor reviewed before I went into his office. Just answer openly and honestly. Try not to think into it too much and you will be fine. :) Let us know how it goes.

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