Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Persuading my Psychiatrist



Recommended Posts

Thank you.

Yes, even though I’m going to a psych recommended by the surgeon, I know I will need to partner closely with my psych. I’ve asked each surgeon I’ve met with about the risks for BP patients and med absorption. The only one who took it at all seriously recommended the sleeve and said I would probably need to decrease dosages after losing weight. That said the literature I’ve seen suggests greater risks than that. I’d honestly rather be obese than have a relapse. It isn’t something I play with.

I’m meeting with my private psych in a couple of weeks to discuss this in particular. She has seen me through some rough Patches so I trust her. I just don’t think she understands obesity and weight loss terribly well. She seems to think diet, exercise and appetite suppressants will do the trick. Perhaps for some, but not for me. I track calories religiously, and I can only lose at 900-1000 and I gain at 1300. Appetite isn’t my issue.

Anyway- could you tell me more about the challenges that you faced Post-surgery?

thanks again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 2/2/2018 at 11:56 PM, ElseeG said:

James,

Congrats on hitting the five year mark! What have been some of the greatest challenges post-op? What has been most difficult?

Thanks.

Right after surgery, the complexity of meeting all the daily requirements were mind boggling. It seemed like there were not enough hours in the day. But as I progressed, I developed a very systematic approach that made the process easier. [For example, putting all my Calcium tablets in a small finger bowl in the morning and then taking them periodically over the day helped. And if I was up and about, putting them into a zip lock bag and carrying them along with me helped.]

The other challenge was adapting to the changing requirements post-op. There are many transitions such as going from full liquids, to pureed foods, to solid foods that one passes through. Some of these can present difficulties. This is an ever changing road. Every time that you think you have it, there is another curve ahead. Realizing that there were two phases, the Weight Loss phase and the Maintenance phase, and each one had a different approach was important.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Are you getting your terms mixed up? I've been seeing a psychologist for talk therapy since the summer of 2015 and a psychiatrist has administered my meds for ADD and, later, insomnia. My psychologist was supportive of the surgery after I talked about why I was doing it at several sessions. The only reason I mentioned it to my psychiatrist was because I wanted to make sure there weren't any psych meds I was on that I couldn't take after surgery, or that would require dosage adjustments.

The psych eval for surgery was completed by a licensed therapist with a practice that specialized in eating disorders and other food issues. I passed that exam easily, but I don't know if I was honest about my food addiction (or if I even knew how bad it was until after the surgery).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi. My psychiatrist is also a psychotherapist, so therapy is part of the relationship. i seperately have to pass the psych evaluation with the bariatric psych recommended by the clinic.

My question is whether the bariatric psych would require my psychiatrist’s sign off.

Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't think so, no. Mine didn't.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

31 minutes ago, ElseeG said:

Hi. My psychiatrist is also a psychotherapist, so therapy is part of the relationship. i seperately have to pass the psych evaluation with the bariatric psych recommended by the clinic.

My question is whether the bariatric psych would require my psychiatrist’s sign off.

Thanks!

Mine did. But my therapist was very supportive. She's more of a life coach at this point in my life, and she thought surgery was a great idea. A lot of what we spoke about were the goals I wanted to reach, and how my weight was prohibiting them. She also knows the stuggles that I faced trying to lose the weight after the birth of my child. I would dedicate myself to diet after diet, hours in the gym, with little to no results.

Does your psychologist know THE WHY behind the surgery for you? Does she know other things you've tried, the struggles you have had, etc. You maybe should ask her what she knows about bariatric surgery. And if she has an unfavorable opinion, might be a good idea to remind her that projecting her assumptions on you are kind of against the rules of her job. Maybe bring some research with you? Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just saw my psychiatrist this morning. He never asked me about surgery next week. He had no clue and I left it that way. I don’t think my psych evaluation made it past the hospital walls.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×