Izuri

I had a much different experience with my psych eval than a lot of people. I have had problems with depression in the past and am currently treated and doing well. I picked a psychologist that I hadn't seen before because of scheduling availability and I wish I'd picked someone else. My insurance did not require me to take the long standardized test, which I was thankful for because those kind of things make me nervous. As soon as she heard about my depression history and when I hit a deep depression (About 6 years ago) she narrowed in on it and forced me to take the test. I answered honestly, but she told me it came back invalid (Which she had assured me was impossible if you answered honestly). Turns out she didn't have the right scoring tool and took a long time to get it fixed/get back to me. There were comments made throughout the session that indicated the only reason she wanted me to take the personality test was because she wanted to cover her butt - My insurance just wanted to make sure I was sane enough to make informed consent. Not making it up, when I told her about my severe depression years ago when I was young she jumped in and cut me off and switched to the test and even after telling her I'd rather talk because I was nervous she told me it was to "Cover um...our butts if anything was to happen" Even nervous I would have been happier taking the test if she hadn't been so forceful/short with me about it. I understand what she was getting at not wanting me to be depressed post surgery, but my psychiatrist that I've been seeing for over a year had already approved a letter saying that she thought I was fit for surgery, she just doesn't do full bariatric evaluations. I already was looking into post-op therapy and the psychologist knew this. Her whole attitude was rather offensive. So, I guess my advice is if your bariatric clinic recommends a specific therapist or psychologist, go to them. The whole nonsense with her ended up taking longer than it would have to get into the other clinic about a week later.

Tomorrow I begin purreed foods and thought I have been practicing the 5min before and 30 min after no drinking rule, it is something I constantly struggle with. I understand that it's an important rule and I want to become more successful at it. So far it has not been as difficult for me, as full liquids feels kind of like drinking to me anyway (and is for some). I am one of those people who takes a few bites, washes it down with Water rinse and repeat. It has been pretty difficult working on this not eating and drinking rule. Do you guys have any tips on what helped you get through this? Anyone else have trouble breaking this habit? I am determined to get it down and put it into habit, but I am hoping that maybe some of you have tips. For the moment I am spending 30 minutes staring at the clock =p I try and distract myself but my mouth just feels so dryyyyy! Thanks!

Oh boy! I am so glad that they caught it soon! Keep on sipping. I was just about to message you and ask if everything was alright, I'm relieved that you posted this thread. Feel better soon!! =)

Thank you everyone for the wonderful suggestions. =) OTR, I really liked that video, it made a lot of sense. I think that Shayyt may have hit it on the head, I need to make sure I don't have drinks around to remove some of the temptation.

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I used to snore on and off. I'm only a week out and have been told that so far, no snoring.

I would contact CIGNA and get a list of what they require for an appeal. I would record that, with the name of the rep and the date. Then I would gather that all in and send it. Try as hard as you can to find the dates/times you and the bariatric clinic called so that you can reference specific conversations (if you have rep names, all the better) where you asked about requirements and that was never brought up. Hopefully that will help you!

Take it out on a pillow! That's what I do if I really can't get out some frustration. Or on the flip side, draw yourself a bath up, relax and close your eyes and just let all of it sink out of you. Hang in there! Not too much longer!!

You're gonna be okay. You made the right decision calling the doctor's office to get it checked out. ((((HUG)))) Hopefully it is just the crystal light.

I think Nikki's got the right idea. Get jump started on the 6 month diet. Can you get covered under your husband's plan? Maybe his covers WLS. If not, in October you'll already be most of the way through your 6 month supervised diet and then if you need it, awesome, if you don't, at least you will have lost some weight and therefore lowered your surgical risk. I guess the only thing would be you wanna stay above 40 or something (I can't remember the exact number, you might wanna check a few insurance guidelines) unless you have comorbidities, otherwise they could deny you for a low BMI.

Congrats on the endoscopy =) Doesn't sound like much fun. 18 vials of blood is a ton! I think they filled 5 or 6 to do my blood work. Well, at least they will know EVERYTHING is ok =p

Woohoo! September is coming up quickly =p

I never thought about it, but I'm pretty sure the insurances probably have already figured that one out and blocked it somehow =p

Yayyyy! Congratulations, you look great and I bet you feel awesome! =)

That's 8 pounds you will never have to see again =) You're doing well, yes. Congrats on the loss!

I eat maybe 4 ounces of food in a sitting. It takes me 30 min - 1 hour usually. I try and eat 3 times a day high protein (protein shakes, greek yogurt) and then two snacks (like half of a sugar free jello, broth, or popsicle), one between breakfast and lunch, and one between lunch and dinner.

Welcome! Congratulations on your start to a new you =) Enjoy the journey!

Yay! That's just about two weeks - coming up quickly!

It's crazy how much we revolve around food. Could you ask if they could take you to coffee? Then you could grab a tea. Just say your stomach is a bit upset today. Or that you're watching what you eat because you know the people at the event will be handing you food left and right and you don't wanna fill up early.

Congraulations!!!! =)

Thanks for asking that, I was curious on this too. I was a big water chugger before surgery and sipping is hard for me to get used to, but it's working alright so far.

- Tone! This can make quite a difference, though it won't get rid of all sagging skin. Start weight training as soon as your doctor will let you. - A week out and I have maybe twice. I feel kind of crude saying it, but it was liquid, since I'm only having liquids. My doctor told me if I hadn't gone 5 days post surgery to use a dulcolax suppository (But not the tablets) - My NUT said that Biotin is something I can start taking at 6 weeks to help decrease hair loss. I think the other two kinda hit the nail on the head that it's about nutrition. - I was not required to do a pre-op diet. The surgeon only required Clear Liquids for the day before the surgery and nothing by mouth after mid***ht the ***ht before. - I can't comment on this one. I am not a big alcohol drinker anymore and I've planned to pretty much quit alcohol completely now that I'm post-op. Haven't tried it yet.

I am so glad to hear this. It really makes me have faith in my long term success that I will still have that reminder there when I'm a year or more out as long as I follow the guides to maintain my sleeve =) Thank you for this post.

It really does sound like your body has been cleaning out the closet! This is why it's good to measure and keep track in other ways. The scale is definitely not the only measure of success. I'm so happy for you, it must be neat to put those on and realize they were already too big!

I was wondering this too. I am getting in walks at least twice daily, but I am lookin forward to getting some actual exercise in. It's one of my top questions for my doctor at my 2 week follow-up next week. Until then, I think walking will be good =) I'll just keep increasing the length of time/distance.