peacequeen

Yes, I agree. I should have been told it would take weeks to get the results from a simple outpatient procedure that's about the equivalent of a barium swallow, less invasive than an endoscopy. As of today, I still haven't heard from them. This isn't something I'm just concerned about the results, I am interested to know the findings but it will determine whether I even get to have lapband surgery or not. My next option would be the gastric sleeve which makes me nervous. That would take me back to the beginning too. As everyone here knows, it's just a nerve wracking process, it would be nice if they could just be a little considerate..especially to a person who suffers anxiety.

There ya go,,another vote for ya!

I was diagnosed hypothyroid about 25 years ago. It eventually set on hashimoto's thyroiditis. It really does make it difficult to lose the weight! I've been on synthroid for years, it works some of the time. Sometimes my immune system shuts down due to other stuff and my thyroid will get out of whack and I have to have my meds regulated. Keep a good check on your thyroid. I haven't had surgery yet but found this post interesting with some good useful info. God bless!

Thanks Shirley..gotcha I have an appointment June 8th with a new psych. I'm following the rules, I've done everything they've asked of me and I've only complained here..only because they won't return my calls or give me my test results. Thanks everyone for the advice and tips. I checked out a couple sites here in our state and set up a new seminar for a different facility for June 3rd. I'm still going to follow through with the psych appt because I'm sure my Insurance company is watching my every move waiting for a screw up. I never in my life have had to deal with so much red tape to get a procedure. It's funny that if you want plastic surgery,,that's much easier (I hear).

Actually the trauma from childhood was something different, my parents were killed several years ago while I was an adult..but that's beside the point..but just wanted to clear that up. Shirley, you made alot of sense and you're probably right. I just didn't feel like I should lie, it's not in my character. I did want to make sure I was making the right choices and answering all questions as honest as possible. I was under the impression they would help me through everything and that any tests wouldn't rule out surgery but help them to help me???? The psych knew most of my weight gain was because I quit smoking 8 years ago (35 pound gain) then I developed a rare autoimmune disease and was on steroid treatment for a long time and gained 70 more. So why he felt my past trajedies were related, I'm not sure. I do want to have the right mind set, therefore the therapy. I just still have issues with the fact that I haven't met my surgeon who should have already followed up with me about the procedure I had that will determine if I even get to have lapband or not and they won't return my calls. I think that's unprofessional and makes me wonder what my follow up care would be like.

Thanks for all the responses. Is it normal that I have yet to ever meet my surgeon after 6 months? I should've mentioned that. I saw him at the seminar in January..that's it. I didn't really get to talk with him,,there was an open question/response for about 15 minutes but that's all I've seen of him. He had his assistant do all the stuff on pre testing day (meet nutritionist, weigh in, take psych test. etc). He also had someone else do the esophageal manometry. The reason I failed the psych test was because my parents were killed in an accident and it's caused some depression and anxiety and because I have low self esteem from childhood trauma. These are things that I feel are legitimate reasons for therapy. But to use this against me because of my weight is not right. I've sought help on my own over the years and am taking meds. I told this to their psych but he requested for me to continue seeing my therapist and to find a psychiatrist to re evaluate meds. He would not approve me unless I do this and get clearance from them. His "test" was very twisting. Questions like, "have you ever wanted to hurt yourself"? Well, I could lie but I didn't. There were times I thought about it but obviously didn't do it. When I lost my parents, it was everything for me to even want to wake up in the morning. I explained all of this to him. He used every answer I gave as a general answer for all my weight issues,,and I don't think that was fair. I think I was kinda mistreated, I don't think I should be told that I have to have a test in order to have the surgery then be forced to wait longer than normal for results and to never get responses to my calls. I think it's very unprofessional and I am a little nervous about having them do my surgery. I think I do need certain tests because I have health issues (a different post). Having a bunch of tests is not a problem,,it's just the response time (if any) has been ridiculous.

Got another vote in for you!

Sent another vote in for you today!

This particular response was very helpful to me. I recently realized I had become a binge eater. I am also an emotional eater..and I just love food. I'm def going to talk to my therapist to help me get a grip on the binging and way of thinking when I do it. I think that is my biggest problem at the moment. I haven't had surgery yet and still waiting to qualify due to medical issues but it won't hurt to get hold of the problem regardless whether I have the surgery or have to lose it the traditional way. Thanks for putting something so complicated into perspective for me,,you made it much easier for me to understand and when I read it,,I was like "AH HA!!" that's whats wrong with me!

I'm so sorry for what you are going through but it's probably best you know now instead of after you're married that he had some insecurity in your relationship. It may be the fact that you were moving into a positive direction in your life and he liked you just the way you were,,just speculation. If that's the case, that is a lethal relationship for someone getting ready to go through such a huge life change. Even though he may have seemed supportive, obviously he was insecure about something. Hold your head up and I agree with Becca, maybe find a good support group where there are people having weight loss surgery. You are self concious about the outcome of having surgery..loose skin. Maybe having people around you that are going through the same body change can help keep that part of your thoughts more positive. Those who have had surgery already and have lost a larger amount of weight could share with you how your body will change and maybe give you tips on how to keep from having loose skin. You might meet some great new friends as well. Good luck to you,,keep us posted.

Wow, you were classy!lol I think you handled very well. I'd like to see a response from him..if he's brave enough to give one.HA!

Just sent another vote in for ya!

I just voted for you,,good luck!

So you aren't getting to have the surgery at all due to mental issues? That's ridiculous and you should find another doctor, if you were still interested. If you have a system that is working for you, then maybe you don't need to but you should have a choice. I failed my eval but I am given the option to see a psych and continue my therapy. They will send letters for clearance to the bariatric center (surgeon) that I am ready for surgery. It is a good thing to get my head clear first but I'm not being denied because I have those problems, that just wouldn't be fair!

Thanks everyone, I'm crying as I'm reading all the replies of support. I am def going through something. I had a the esophageal precedure yesterday,,quite unpleasant, I might add. The tech said I definitely had dysphagia but the doctor has to read it and follow up with the results so I don't know what my doctor is going to suggest and what the complete outcome of the test will tell. I know that it's a choice between lapband and gastric sleeve. If I can't tolerate the band due to swallowing issues I'll have to have the sleeve and that is setting off a whole different set of emotions, concerns, worries, anxiety..etc. I know there are those of us who have very strong personalities..those are assertive and very controlled over everything they do and those who aren't,,which is what I am. So since I do have a difficult time staying in control, it really helps to have the support here at this site. I think another problem I'm having along with the fact it all seems so far out of reach,,is that I have yet to even meet my surgeon one on one. I met him at the seminar but every other part of the process has been alone (without the surgeon's involvement). I will be meeting up with him soon, I hope. I think to hear him tell me I have to make the changes might help?? Gosh, I sound pathetic.lol I feel like a child that needs their hand smacked for getting into the cookie jar.

My eval lasted about 2 hours. I failed. I've been recommended to continue in my therapy and to seek out a psychiatrist to evaluate and regulate the med I'm on to make sure it's working or if I need to take something else. I need to get my mind straight before I get this surgery. I don't want to have another failure. I think the psych eval is necessary. I was depressed and anxious before I became morbidly obese, however, I've always struggled with my weight and carried extra pounds. I'm hoping if I get down to the reason and change the way I think, I would be much more a success than to continue to think the way I do and lie, cheat and steal to get the surgery, thinking it's a magic cure. I think I overeat for a reason and I'd like to know why.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Reverie: I am in therapy. My therapist is working on helping me to change the way I think. Some days it works, some days it doesn't. They put me on a very intense high Protein low carb diet. I did it for 1 week, lost 6 pounds and I was very excited then something happened that made me lose my motivation and I gained it back. I have a condition that is causing swallowing issues and I'm having a esophageal manometry tomorrow to see if I will even be able to get a lapband. I gues since it's so out of reach, it's just making me feel less enthusiastic about even trying. If I was counting calories and excercising, I probably wouldn't have posted.lol I could set here and make alot of excuses, I do have some valid reasons but I really just wanted to get support and possibly hear there was someone else out there that knew what I was going through and could shed some light. I know what I need to do, I think this is a mental issue but I'm not sure what it is but would like to figure it out. I'm waiting for the day I wake up and have gained control. cwm812: It sounds very familiar! I'm going through the exact same thing you did. It's good to know your doctor had faith in you and were able to get the surgery anyway. I hope my doctor feels that way about me, I have been very worried. He doesn't know about my weight gain yet, but will see me tomorrow for my procedure..makes me a little nervous. mattie7632: That's a good point you made. I hope I have the same successes you have if I get banded...maybe when I hear that I actually get to have it that will change the way I think? I don't know if it's a deeper issue or not. 54Shirley: I've suffered from depression and anxiety for a long time. I do think that it has alot to do with the reason I lose motivation so quickly. I'm so scared I'll do the same thing if I get banded. In a way the 6 mth diet is a 2 edged sword. On one side it's the waiting game that makes me anxious and unmotivated, the other side is giving me time to get my mind in the right place which is apparently something I need. Thank you, I'll check out that post. crecia1975: I know you are so right. I'm going to have to just face my demons and get working. Maybe I need a life coach or someone to keep me focused. I'm sorry you gained and went through what you did but it's good to know I'm not alone.

I keep reading posts where people are saying their doctors, friends, spouse, trainers, parents,,etc are saying that weightloss surgery is "cheating". I don't understand it. Cheating life? Is that what they mean? Do they think we should bust our asses to the point of no return,,even if we are sick and diseased and can't function like they can? So if a man uses viagra,,does the pharmacist or his wife tell him he's cheating? If anyone uses a battery powered tooth brush verses the manual ones,,is that cheating? I'm sorry, I have to vent..it just pisses me off..pardon my french! My sister has such mixed feelings about getting wls..even though she is diabetic, has blockages in her carotid arteries,,has barretts esophogus, sleep apnea, pitted edema,,,etc..etc....all because she thinks people will think she cheated or took the easy way out. Easy way out? Why in this world does it matter how a person loses weight?? I think I'm at higher risk of disease because I'm on a constant yo yo if I continue trying to lose weight the way I have my whole life. Some people just aren't mentally or physically capable of losing weight the traditional way..I'm one of them. My sister has health issues and so do I. I'm not wanting the weight off to impress anyone, surprise anyone,,look like a super model or anything else. I just want to live again, why can't people shut up and just say...do what you have to do to get the weight off? Life long skinny people need to keep their mouths shut because they will never know what this is like,,never. And fat people who want to talk smack about the surgery are just jealous because they didn't have the idea first. So then all they can do is cut it down or tell you it's cheating because they don't want you to be thin because then they will be the "fatter one". It's like the perfect excuse for people to talk you out of having the surgery,,never mind I'll end up dying young because I'm ill and getting the fat off will help me live.

Me, my husband and the HR lady at my husband's employer spoke with total of 6 different people with UHC (choiceplus plan) and they stated I DO NOT have to go on a 6 month pre op diet. When I went to my consult the insurance coordinator insists that I have to go on one per my insurance company. She said people like to argue with her about it and that almost all insurance companies require this (that's bs). So then I'm sent into to talk to the nutritionist and she gives me a notebook with a "HUGE" diet to follow for the next 6 months. But then she tells me not to lose too much weight?? This really doesn't make sense to me at all. She said she was required to tell me about this diet and to tell me to follow it because it will prove to my insurance company that I am serious. I've kinda laid low with the whole plan. It's so far out of reach for me right now, I can't even get excited or motivated at this point.

I'm new to this site. I've been at lapbandtalk for several months. I've been to the seminar, which covered all the different WLS available. I had my consult and beginning a journey. Due to health problems, I'm having to go through a series of different testing and I have to go on a 6 month pre op diet per my insurance company. My problem is that I have no idea which journey to take. I was so set on lapband but after suggestion from others, including several at the bariatric center, I'm looking into the sleeve. I was just becoming very familiar with all the details of the band and now I have to start over here to learn about the sleeve. I just need to know I'm making the right choices for me. So any advice, tips, info that can be offered..I'd really appreciate it. I know I will be visiting and reading here alot but anything that I need a heads up on would be helpful. Thanks!

I spoke with the bariatric center and apparently, due to health problems, my surgeon will probably decide which one will work best for me then I'll have to make the final decision if I am ok with it or not. Guess I'll continue to research both, just in case I only have one choice. I hate that I can't just pick which one I want! I have myasthenia gravis (a form of muscular dystrophy.. a rare autoimmune disease that causes chronic muscle weakness). One of the symptoms I suffer from is difficulty swallowing. If I fail the test they will perform, I'll probably have to go with the sleeve. I also have a large list of weird and common medical problems that can effect either procedure and how it works so I have alot of homework and a ton of tests to go through. Unfortunately, this is going to take a while. Thank you all so much for your feedback! I really appreciate it.

Steven, maybe this will motivate you. I have to wait 6 months to get surgery. I've been in the "process" since January. I haven't gotten a date yet and I have 6 months pre op diet to go through. I have to try to diet but make sure not to lose too much weight. I am still binge eating, I still feel out of control. I'd give anything if I could get a doctor who would put restrictions on me that I would HAVE to stop eating. Feel fortunate that you are more than on your way to a healthier you. I'm not telling you this to make you feel bad just to help you put things into perspective. Good luck..but you'll make it!

I went to my consultation yesterday. First they have us all take a test in "scenario form" One of them was "My favorite poet is Robert Yvacick? Finished the test. Then had my blood work..no problems. Then I spoke with the nutritionist. She went over my list of things I ate the day before,,took about 5 minutes. I then spoke with the psych,,I failed his test. He said I was very depressed and anxious and he said I couldn't have surgery till I see a psychiatrist to have my meds adjusted and I needed to continue to see my therapist. I would need clearance from both to move forward with surgery. I then spoke with a girl who was to tell me about what I would owe the doctor. She said for me not to lose too much weight before my band or the insurance company may reconsider. I told her I thought that it was based on my initial weigh in when I had come in that morning and she said they look at that number but they'll look at the number after I do the 6 month diet. btw..Me, my husband and the HR lady at his worked spoke with 6 different reps from our insurance company and I wanted to make sure..they told us I did NOT have to do a 6 month pre op diet. This lady told me to talk to the insurance cooridinator about that. She then told me that she wasn't supposed to say but I should consider the sleeve because it works better than the band??? I thought that was odd. Then I sat in a waiting area for about an hour. 4 patients came in and they all complained about the band and said it didn't work!!! whew,,I just wanted to go home. So anyway, I then talked to the physician assistant, and she talked to me about my health, I have medical problems. We talked for a long time about everything about my health. She told me she didn't know if the doctor would do the surgery (5 hours into the consultation) She would have to talk to him and he would get back with me,sometime next week! So I didn't even get to talk to the surgeon. Then I talked to the nutritionist again and she went over the 6 month diet with me, and when she was done, I told her that someone in their office had told me that I didn't want to lose too much weight,,so she said, well just let this diet fly over your head and forget most of what I just said..don't lose too much weight..I have to tell you about this diet,,it's protocol. Then I talked to the insurance coordinator,,she argued about the 6 month diet so I gave up on that. In between all this, I sat and waited a long time in between,,I was there for 7 hours and I never got to eat. It was a crazy and disappointing experience. Now I don't even know if I get to have surgery. Sorry I just went on but I really needed to vent.

Kab, I just read the 2 are the same. I am so glad I found this post. So much is making sense to me now. I have Myasthenia Gravis and had a crisis in 09. I had to have IVIG treatment but my body rejected and I developed aseptic meningitis. Every symptom I've read about due to PTC/IH, I have experienced and have been wondering what is wrong with me. It may not be the issue but it makes alot of sense. Guess I'll give my neuro a call tomorrow. Thanks everyone. I pray good health for all of you!