I finally got insurance approval, and I've got all my testing done, except the psyc evaluation. My surgeon only uses one psychiatrist and big surprise she doens't participate with my insurance. I have to pay $300 for the two visits with her, and I have to take some test that is supposed to tell everyone how I will react to having surgery and losing weight. I guess what upsets me is that I dont' believe some stupid test is going to tell anyone what I will be like when I lose weight. And who decides what the right reaction is! What if the test comes back and someone doesn't like the results, does that mean I don't get to have surgery? I'm just frustratated and I want to tell them that I already have enough things to cry about and I don't need there stupid evaluation added on.

Thanks for listening to me rant.

Ginger, I hear you. It's really frustrating to know that something so important can hinge on someone else's opinion of your mental health.

But know this: They are not looking for reasons to deny you the surgery that will improve your life. The doctor wants to be as sure as possible that you are prepared to embrace life with a band, for your sake and for his. It's not an obstacle to be overcome, it's an important step in the process of entering your new life!

Be honest, but be confident that you've made the right decision and know all the facts about banded life before you meet the psychologist. If there is anything you're worried or scared about, tell us here so you can air it out before it surfaces during the evaluation, surprising you both.

I think it's kind of good that your evaluation will be two appointments; it's a great opportunity to take advantage of some counseling for you, which is never a bad thing. During my evaluation, the therapist observed that perhaps I was still a little too sensitive about my father's death (9 years ago) and that might be something I want to work on. This had *nothing* to do with my weight, and was a valuable observation!

Walk in with head held high, and you'll do FINE!!! :D

I think my biggest worry is that I'll wake up from surgery again and have my surgeon tell me that something went wrong and they weren't able to complete the procedure.

I remember when I came out of my last surgery and I still had the tube in my throat when my surgeon told me they weren't able to do the bypass because I had an intestional malrotation. I am so scared that something like that will happen again, but what are the chances of that happening twice?

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to my fears and offering help. This website is a great "friend" to people with the band or concidering the band.

And as a personal note to Alexandra, this board wouldn't be the same without you! You always take the time to respond to people and make them feel at ease to ask any questions and know that someone will give them a response without judging them. Your awesome!

Ginger,

I just had my psych eval yesterday. I was very nervous about it, too! I felt like "how can someone who doesn't even know me tell if I'm a good surgical canidate?" After the evaluation, I found that they are just looking to make sure you don't have any previous mental illness that might worsen with all the significant changes that can come to your life after banding and major weight loss. They also want to make sure that you understand the risks and changes that might come after the weight loss. I actually found my psych eval enlightening! She told me that I may be the same person, but that others might react differently to the new skinny me (like jealously, envy, etc)!!!!!!!!! (I had never really thought of that).

I also paid $300.00! I thought that was a lot of money but then I thought about the hundreds of dollars I've spent on weight loss programs that didn't work for me and then it didn't seem so bad!

Good luck, you're on the last pre-op step!!!!! Be honest and it will be a piece of cake!!!!!!

Marsha

I think my biggest worry is that I'll wake up from surgery again and have my surgeon tell me that something went wrong and they weren't able to complete the procedure.

And that's a significant worry, I'll bet! What an unpleasant experience that must have been. But I'll bet you were saved from RNY for a reason. Now they know all about your alien insides, and I'm sure it would affect the band a lot less anyway!

Thanks so much for the nice words, too. I gotta say I've been lurking and posting occasionally at lots of other boards and on lists, but it's this format that's brought out my inner chattermouth. Love it!!