kwiklip

I have a few months and obligations to fulfill also before I can get the suregery -- so I empathize. I just keep trying to look at it as more time to focus, practice, and visualize. As cheesy as that sounds, I am glad I didn't get to have the surgery right away, because I really need this time. Hang in there!

I am fairly new to posting and hope to meet some people to offer and give some great support on here. Today, I am the one that needs the support. I am having a tough time navigating through the pre-op stuff. Specifically, I met with my psychologist for the 4th & final time for my pre-op assessment, and he gave me a "yellow light, with the possibility of red" based on the personality tests he gave me. He said that although I do not have anything "diagnosable", the combination between lack of closeness with most of my family and my tendency to be impulsive raised red flags and he won't approve me at this time with out more pre-op stuff on my part. He said I need to attend the pre-op support group at my surgeon's office, as well as a couple of months of sessions with a social worker or psychologist. I want this surgery to work, and I will do what he is asking. But I can't help but feel discouraged by his opinion of me. I have been trying hard to do everything on the checklist he gave me for behavioral change, including my harrowing experience in trying to quit smoking. Today, I feel like I won't ever get there, whether that's realistic or not. The pshychologist also told me that when he hears about people opting for Lap Band versus Roux-en-Y or VBG, he thinks they are not serious about their weight loss and have only "one foot in the door". I don't agree with that opinion, but I have been doubting my decision that I want Lap Band, which actually kind of ticks me off. I have re-confirmed my decision that I dont' want RNY or VBG, and it's not because I am not serious in my efforts, it's because I am terrified of the risks and feel that I will be able to use the Lap Band as a very effective tool in the lifestyle changes I have already started. Sorry to drone on and whine a bit, but I am at a low point today and really need to know that I am not the first or only person to feel discouraged. Am I?

Thanks for your response. I see all of your points, and they are valid. The thing was, the last appointment I had, I had to bring a family support person to the appointment. I brought my neice, who is like a sister to me (and also a nurse). Even after I acknowledged that I can't rely on most of my family for a lot of support post-surgically, I told him and showed him a good support person, and to me that should have been enough. It wasn't, and I already have an appointment with another psychologist. This one is more closely connected to my surgeon, so hopefully I will get past this bump. I can't wait to start my new life!

Wow, you are moving right along. Your surgery is coming up quick! Thanks for the feedback. I agree with you on everything. The 600+ test is the MN Multiphasic II, which is the one that he said I had 'borderline' readings with impulsiveness and family support. I wish I had your Dr.! Best of luck!

I was doing the patch, which wasn't as effective as I need, so I am now on Day 4 of Chantix, which has a good success rate. Thanks for the encouragement!!

High five, that's what I thought!

This psychologist was on the list of bariatric psychologists that could do my pre-operative assessment. I happened to choose him because he is close to my home. I had to do four sessions: initial meeting; MMPI II and Quality of Life Inventory (or whatever it's called); another one-on-one; and the last one that I just had, where I had to bring a support person with and we also went over my test results. I brought my neice and when I talked to her about how I was feeling about the whole meeting, she said she could see understand I felt. She thinks he may be a bit burned out and doing everything by rote, rather than addressing me as an individual. Whatever the reason, I am going to let my surgeon's office know about my experience and they can decide if they want to take further action (such as removing him from their list). I also plan on writing to the doctor, because he may not even realize how he was coming across, or how upset I was when I left. Thanks for all your support!

Hi guys, I am excited to participate in this MN discussion -- it looks like there are plenty of us living here. I am having a tough time navigating through the pre-op stuff. Specifically, I met with my psychologist for the 4th & final time for my pre-op assessment, and he gave me a "yellow light, with the possibility of red" based on the personality tests he gave me. He said that although I do not have anything "diagnosable", the combination between lack of closeness with most of my family and my tendency to be impulsive raised red flags and he won't approve me at this time with out more pre-op stuff on my part. He said I need to attend the pre-op support group at my surgeon's office, as well as a couple of months of sessions with a social worker or psychologist. I want this surgery to work, and I will do what he is asking. But I can't help but feel discouraged by his opinion of me. I have been trying hard to do everything on the checklist he gave me for behavioral change, including my harrowing experience in trying to quit smoking. Today, I feel like I won't ever get there, whether that's realistic or not. The pshychologist also told me that when he hears about people opting for Lap Band versus Roux-en-Y or VBG, he thinks they are not serious about their weight loss and have only "one foot in the door". I don't agree with that opinion, but I have been doubting my decision that I want Lap Band, which actually kind of ticks me off. I have re-confirmed my decision that I dont' want RNY or VBG, and it's not because I am not serious in my efforts, it's because I am terrified of the risks and feel that I will be able to use the Lap Band as a very effective tool in the lifestyle changes I have already started. Sorry to drone on and whine a bit, but I am at a low point today and really need to know that I am not the first or only person to feel discouraged. Am I?