Newbie in every way

salinasmaya · July 6, 2008

Hi all-

33 y/o woman from Central Valley, CA. I talked to my Kaiser Dr. this week about weight loss help. I went to the appointment completely ignorant about the different WLS. He said NO to gastric bypass (my BMI is 39.1) and he put me on Meridia. I mentioned lap band at the end of the appt, and he was okay with that as an option and he said we would look at that after 6 months of supervision. I feel like I was all over the place in that appt.

So being a teacher, I am here to educate myself completely in case it comes to lap band. I hope to learn from others because I do not want to be ignorant when I go in again in August for a check up.

One big question I have is that I was wondering what this psych evaluation is about if it comes to it? Is it an ongoing thing or a one time thing? What do they want to determine vis a vis this evaluation?

Thanks so much.

OIC108 · July 6, 2008

Hello Salinasmaya,

I can only speak from my experience but when I did my psych. eval it was a one time deal (so far I don't know if there will be a follow up.) The eval was done in my Dr's office, in fact most of the consults were - exercise, nutrition, upper GI, and gallbladder sono. When I did it, I sat with the psychologist and she asked me a few questions and took some notes. It took about an hour. It was not bad at all but then again I don't know what anyone else's was like. I was banded on Wednesday and I have to say that this web site has helped me during every step. Hope this helps good luck with your journey.

auntlucy · July 6, 2008

My psych eval was not a big deal. She asked me some questions about why I wanted the band and what I was expecting to gain from it. She asked me if I had thought about what life would be like when I started losing wieght and how I would respond to different reactions I would likely get. Actually, she didn't ask me a lot of these questions, I just started talking about what I wanted to do and why and I ended up answering most of her questions through that. It was a one-time thing, but she is someone I had gone to in the past when I needed someone to talk to about some changes in my life. I will tell you though that I wanted to make a reconnectionw ith her in case I need someone to talk to as I go through this someimes emotional journey.

Good luck as you pursue this! You will learn a lot through this site.

LISAMARIE1158 · July 6, 2008

B/C B/S requires you to see psych at least twice during the per-op period. The dr can choose to make you keep coming for appts. l basically spoke about myself and my life..After being a psych nurse for 25+ years, all they want to know is if you are stable and sound emotionally. They give you the risks and really make sure you understand what you are up against. Once they diecide you are stable and knowledgable, they should pass you.

salinasmaya · July 6, 2008

Thanks for the comments, the welcome, and the information on the psych evaluation. That is good to know.

I went in for some blood tests today to see if my numbers have changed from last year. I gained 23 lbs this year (!), so it will be important for me to know what happened internally.

Sad to say, I hope there are numbers in there that will make my dr. take notice. Last year my cholesterol was a little high, but not high enough for medication.

Well, off to read and learn some more from you all.

LISAMARIE1158 · July 6, 2008

its funny how all the Dr's and insurance companies want something different. l didn't even need blood work...l wonder if some day every one will be on the same page...l see so many horror stories on here about people jumping through hoops...why...we are medically entitled to have medical care.

OIC108 · July 6, 2008

Lisa, I agree! You didn't have to have blood work and I've been poked and prodded so many times I'm like a strainer now lol. Consistency would be a good thing.

LISAMARIE1158 · July 6, 2008

its almost like they are looking for something to be wrong...My Dr has really made it an easy process...Now the insurance could be a whole different story...l'm waiting for approval...B/C B/S Federal...they don't like to approve anything, although whenever l have spoken to them over this event, they have been extremely helpful...its a waiting game...l want to have my surgery the first week of Aug....

OIC108 · July 6, 2008

Good luck. I hope all of your approvals go through.

LISAMARIE1158 · July 6, 2008

thnak you for your kindness

salinasmaya · July 6, 2008

Hi LisaMarie-

I agree. If any other part of us was broken, we would get more consistent care I think.

I guess because it has to do with the very core of our health- nutrition and food that they want to be careful. That is how I try to see it. I think in my doctor's case, he really does not know me, and he sees me gaining huge chunks of weight and he wanted to make sure that I am not being impulsive with this choice as I seem to be doing with my eating.

When it comes to weight loss, I just think of my body as a broken machine. MY siblings are much bigger than I, and they do not want to do the surgery. My whole family is obese on my mom's side, and tiny on my dad's side (we are all Hispanic) and I got all my mom's genes. Then to top it off, I am apple shaped, so I still wear my less obvious looking maternity wear because I cannot get waistbands on pants to correlate with my thighs and legs.

But I am just so glad that WLS seems to be something that can help us all who struggle with obesity.

Another question to put out there for y'all: Once you hit a 40 BMI, do the co-morbidities still have to be present or is the 40 BMI reason enough for drs. to pursue WLS. (I figure it will differ by dr. and insurance but I am curious as to what some of your doctors have told you.)

Thanks.