Psychologist appointment?

[scarlep 68]

@@scarlep - Oh it was definitely weird the first time and I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to cancel - and I actually like my therapist! It is an uncomfortable situation to talk but it will help. If nothing else just to learn their tips and tricks for dealing with post-op emotions and helping you identify your triggers for wanting to eat.

yea I guess most people tell me that in order to be successful after surgery I need to be mentally prepared

[scarlep 68]

I think everyone is nervous about seeing a psychologist. I know I was! But it's for our mental stability. This surgery is a very emotional process. Don't stress over it. You will be ok. Like I told my psychologist "Are any of us really normal?!"

hahahaha did you really say that I bet he/she was laughing maybe I'm just desperate because this process has been too long and I'm tired of being fat

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I really like working with my shrink. He's been seriously helpful throughout this process. He doesn't let me get away with s**t.

[mommyfrog3 41]

I think everyone is nervous about seeing a psychologist. I know I was! But it's for our mental stability. This surgery is a very emotional process. Don't stress over it. You will be ok. Like I told my psychologist "Are any of us really normal?!"

hahahaha did you really say that I bet he/she was laughing maybe I'm just desperate because this process has been too long and I'm tired of being fat

yes I did say that! And believe me I know how you feel. I have been overweight for like 25 years. And I am only 46! Over half my life! But look at it this way, we're finally doing something about it! At least we are moving in the right direction!

[Running2theSleeve 40]

I didn't get cleared right away by the psychologist at my surgeon's office, either. I have depression, but for me, the concerns were more due to my deep-seated need to be perfect (an "all-or-nothing" mentality) and my nagging sense that maybe I just don't "deserve" to be healthy and happy. So while I was initially upset that I "failed" my eval (hey, more "all-or-nothing" thinking!), I realized that, yes, I do need to be in therapy. I started going to a great therapist who is really helping me get to the root causes of my negative view of myself and will be able to help me throughout my post-surgery process.

A lot of it has to do with making sure that you have a good support system and can manage the ups and downs of the process--yes, your depression may be directly related to your weight, but are you prepared if you have complications, or you don't lose as quickly as you want to, or have stalls? Not saying you aren't prepared, just that this is the sort of thing that the psychologists consider.

Is the psychologist within your surgeon's practice or one that they work with routinely? If not and is just a random psychologist you found that takes your insurance, you might want to ask your surgeon's office for a referral to a psychologist that they recommend or that other patients of theirs have used. I say that because you mentioned that you got the sense that the one you saw thought you should try losing weight on your own. If he's not someone who routinely works with bariatric patients, he may have a bias against WLS and not be the best person to evaluate a surgical candidate.

I told him about my weight history and that I started to get depressed right after I got pregnant because of all the weight I was gaining and after I gave birth I started to gain more weight and couldn't lose the weight and that I asked my gynecologist to see if she would give me a referral to see a psychologist but I never went to see one because she gave me anti depressants (I never took them) maybe that's why he asked to see me again :/ but I told him about this app how it helped me understand the things that can happen post op like stalls, weight gain, my nut told me if you overeat all the time it can stretch ,I'm aware of all the risk and honestly I just want to be healthy I'm a low risk of becoming diabetic and I don't want that to happen. I hope everything changes after I see him again

Is there a difference between the NUT and the psychologist/psychiatrist?

[Litzy 25]

It's a all a process of what's to come... It will work itself out... Believe me

When did you start?? When do you think you will get surgery done??

well it's because I was looking forward having surgery in August but I realize I'll prob have surgery in sept I'll be done with my 6months weight management July 24 and I already did all the labs all I'm missing it's the psychologist to clear me

It's a process I'm telling you... Lol... Cause i was supposed to get sleeved in the beginning of july and i just got my date today for August 31

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Is there a difference between the NUT and the psychologist/psychiatrist?

Yes, your nutritionist/dietician helps with nutrition, food plans, eating behavior, and anything to do with your food.< /p>

The psychologist/therapist makes sure you have the mental and emotional tools for the surgery and aftermath as well as other related emotional/mental issues (food addiction, addiction transfer, body image, self esteem, depression, etc. etc.)

[lauraellen80 854]

@@Running2theSleeve, the NUT is the nutritionist (or in my case, dietitian), whom you typically meet with before and after surgery to go over the phases of the eating plan for pre-op and post-op, and who can answer questions you have about the eating aspect of surgery. Getting clearance from the NUT involves showing them that you understand the eating plan and are willing to comply with it. I met with mine twice, using MyFitnessPal in between appointments so that she could see my commitment to changing my eating habits.

The psychologist is there for the mental/emotional aspect, and will evaluate a surgical candidate on their psychological readiness for surgery. Some have you take a really long test, but mine just talked to me. Either way, they look for underlying mental/emotional issues that might need to be dealt with before scheduling surgery. They are also looking for signs that a patient may have unreasonable expectations of surgery (it will fix everything in their life, they won't have to work at the weight loss, etc.) or have personality issues that indicate an unwillingness to comply with the surgeon and NUT's instructions.

[Litzy 25]

Y'all ladies are encouraging me to reshedule my appt.

LisaS73 why would you wanna reschedule your surgery??

[Running2theSleeve 40]

Is there a difference between the NUT and the psychologist/psychiatrist?

Yes, your nutritionist/dietician helps with nutrition, food plans, eating behavior, and anything to do with your food.

The psychologist/therapist makes sure you have the mental and emotional tools for the surgery and aftermath as well as other related emotional/mental issues (food addiction, addiction transfer, body image, self esteem, depression, etc. etc.)

lol I thought Nut meant like Nut Job coo-coo, so it was referring to the psych/therapist. Thanks for clarifying!

[scarlep 68]

I think everyone is nervous about seeing a psychologist. I know I was! But it's for our mental stability. This surgery is a very emotional process. Don't stress over it. You will be ok. Like I told my psychologist "Are any of us really normal?!"

hahahaha did you really say that I bet he/she was laughing maybe I'm just desperate because this process has been too long and I'm tired of being fat

yes I did say that! And believe me I know how you feel. I have been overweight for like 25 years. And I am only 46! Over half my life! But look at it this way, we're finally doing something about it! At least we are moving in the right direction!

that's right!! Im 26 and I've been curvy my whole life after I got pregnant I gained 100 pounds :/ but like you said we are doing something for our health and soon our life will change for good

[scarlep 68]

It's a all a process of what's to come... It will work itself out... Believe me

When did you start?? When do you think you will get surgery done??

well it's because I was looking forward having surgery in August but I realize I'll prob have surgery in sept I'll be done with my 6months weight management July 24 and I already did all the labs all I'm missing it's the psychologist to clear me

It's a process I'm telling you... Lol... Cause i was supposed to get sleeved in the beginning of july and i just got my date today for August 31

wow at least you have a date already thats a plus

[Litzy 25]

Yes it is a plus... But like I said it's a struggle.... Patience is a virtue with this process!!!

[LisaS73 13]

Y'all ladies are encouraging me to reshedule my appt.

LisaS73 why would you wanna reschedule your surgery??

Not my surgery lol, I never reschedule with my psychologist after my required two visit. I just din't think it would be all that helpful. But after ready everyone's experiences, I think maybe I should go see him again. He didn't say I had to, but said I was welcome to if I thought I needed to. Sorry I didn't make that very clear!

[Litzy 25]

Lol... Oooo... My mistake... Reading while driving... Don't do this at home ????

And your right I'm thinking about the same thing... But I won't be seeing the same one I saw for clearance... But I have been looking into a pysch for weight loss after this post today... Lol