Weird/worst Comment at Pre-op testing!

[FitFunFamily 53]

Ugh! So sorry you had to put up with that.

I'm currently in my pre-op process and everyone has been wonderful, except my psychologist. She spend 30 minutes of our 60 minute appointment talking about herself (tall, slender) and how "weight loss is easy" and she lost 14lbs from just eating smaller meals - she "didn't even exercise!" She then detailed two recipes to me I should try.

Seriously? If I only had 14lbs to lose, I probably wouldn't need surgery. I don't consider that a health crisis - mostly vanity pounds (which are fine, but don't confuse that with my BMI of 54).

Are you serious?!?!? Was this a psychologist that was specifically recommended for bariatric patients?

Yes! My bariatric center suggested her as a part of a Psychological group (about 6 psychs in the group). I told them after what she said and they were unhappy. She ended up not approving me unless I completed 8 more sessions! I ended up going to get another opinion and the next guy was awesome and said there are psychs out there that really don't believe in the surgery and will decline for any reason. He approved me easily.

My bariatric clinic is no longer referring that group as a whole, but only specific psychologists. I wasn't the only one with complaints.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

@@FitFunFamily I'm glad you reported it and it seems others did as well and that your bariatric clinic got the hint and changed their recommendations. I'm not saying that psychologists should be blanket approving WLS patients. There are some people who truly are psychologically unprepared for surgery and it is good that most programs require psychological evaluation. But the psychologists involved should be well educated and well informed about the issues they are counseling on!

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Shaking my head.

A month after VSG surgery I had gall bladder surgery. The anesthesiologist said just before we went into the operating theater, "Wow. You don't look big enough to qualify for bariatric surgery." And he didn't mean it in a nice or a good way.

On that date, thanks to pre-op diets and the first month of post-op eating, I'd already lost 30 pounds.

I just said, "You should have seen me 3 months ago."

Jeez -- what else can you say to an asshole who's just about to put you under general anesthesia?

[Jb1176 79]

My own surgeon didn't think I could reach my goal of 100 lb loss and said I'd probably only lose about 2/3 rds of that amount. After 2-1/2 months out from surgery I'm at my halfway mark having lost 51 lbs. I still think I can lose the rest over the next year. Don't let people discourage you. Read the success stories and follow the plan. We can make our goals and provide encouragement for each other.

[elleschaeffer 12]

As a healthcare worker who works in an OR and does bariatric surgery almost every day, this makes me really sad. My hospital is a Bariatric Center of Excellence so every staff member who comes in contact with bariatric patients has to attend annual sensitivity training. You should never feel shamed by the people you are trusting with your care! Please don't hesitate to speak up for yourself, these people obviously need a reminder that they are there to support you not judge you.

[Rochellevsg 38]

Smh. I was sleeved on 6/22. The care tech who was getting me prepped told me I wasn't big enough to need the surgery and I should just exercise. Then she went on to say she has a daughter around my age (im 25) who she wouldn't dare let "get that mess done". I couldn't believe it. This was surgery day! Like you, I don't scare easy and I have a strong mind, but I kept thinking what about the people who aren't as strong as me? She could scare those people out of surgery talking like that. When my hospital survey comes in the mail I'm going to report her.

Edited June 29, 2015 by Rochellevsg

[_Kate_ 2,224]

Wow.... just wow.

Kate

[JamieLogical 8,727]

@@Rochellevsg I hoped you reported this person to your surgeon!

[MissKit 13]

These people should undergo some sort of job training since it seems

that so many people in hospital/doctor settings have NO idea how to work with patients, especially when your talking about a huge decision like WLS.

Stay Strong!!

[lexiemustang 268]

At the last class before surgery I had a fellow patient to be ask me if I had already had surgery. To be fair I was the smallest person there, my BMI at that point was still well over forty, so I was by no means skinny.

The exact same thing happened to me at my very first nutrition class. The funny part is that my BMI was 37 at the time so by no means low.

My sleep apnea nurse also gave me the same "you're not big enough for surgery..". SMH

Edited June 29, 2015 by lexiemustang