One more hoop gone through for the December 13 surgery. It was super easy. Glad to have it checked off. I just have a breath test and an ultrasound left.

@@anonmom I would strongly suggest answering the questions as if they were asking about the past 5 years. --- You know the form I filled out she wrote for ENTIRE LIFE....I find that so insane. My husband said the same as you, hopefully you will go thru without the drama.

Well, I decided (for now) to look into surgery in Mexico. I just filled out the forms online, have looked at flights. Thinking of January 10th (they have availability around that date). I didn't want to have to go that route, I was willing to spend twice as much doing in the states. If the surgery is $12,000 and add the $1500, and another $3-400 for another psyche evaluation that may not pass me....I figure, why not try the possibly easier route. Would I rather be near home, and the original reason I picked this dr. was because they have lifetime support meetings for bariatric surgery which I though would be awesome. Oh well, you guys will have to be my support while I save almost $7,200 dollars to boot (not looking to be cheap, I want my health first). I have talked on here with a few that had Dr. Garcia do their surgery and seemed pleased. I have researched, and will continue to do so.I just don't know that I want to continue with so much red tape here in the states. I have studies the Clear liquids for a week, full liquids, pureed foods, soft foods, so I pretty much am prepared. They provide tons of information for their patients too. I just hate going alone, but would look for a person from here to try and hook up with like the girls that went to him became buddies thru here.

Most of us have had issues in the past. I was honest and approved. It was recommended I see a therapist for emotional eating - which I got a lot out of. If you have a binge eating disorder - it's best to get some help as this surgery is more mental than physical and can easily trigger previous disorders or result in picking up another addiction. It sounds like the person wasn't all that helpful to resolve any issues she felt you had and instead just denied surgery. Go to someone who can help. It's worth it.

To be clear, I 100% agree with seeing a therapist who can help you with the issues that got you to this point. *BUT* there is no reason that therapist has to be associated with your bariatric center. I actually find it sad that a bariatric practice would use a part time artist/therapist to approve or deny people for surgery.

I went for my psych eval because it was a hoop that I had to jump through for insurance coverage. But I also see my own therapist twice a week and I am 100% honest with her about everything I have ever done in my whole life. The counselor who did my psych eval and my personal therapist have 2 very different roles in my life.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

I agree with you. I had great therapist in NYC, and when I moved here after going for just a couple months she sent me to a psychiatrist to get "happy pills". I won't lie, I was depressed leaving NYC for Louisiana (18 yrs later) is a huge change. I don't like meds, had never been depressed before that, so I quit therapy and decided to build a business that I do 7 days a week. I am happy, love working with dogs, there's not much to do here that I would really enjoy (festivals in 100 degrees is not my cup of tea). Trust me, if I felt I needed therapy I would seek it. I did it for many years in NYC. I just think too much honesty and my "old lifestyle" was more than she could handle.

@@fletctp Isn't the breath test for H. Pylori also?