Psych evaluation and Dietitian apointment

[LaurenB8604 29]

Hey All!!

So I just finished my endoscopy acouple days ago and now I head into my psych evaluation and my dietitian appointment! Both are on Thursday Jan 2, and I Am a little nervous! Is there any advice anyone can give me?? I would greatly appreciate any guidance!! Thanks to all! Getting close to having a surgery date and I can't wait !!

Lauren

[Comfy_Blue 285]

I was super nervous to, but it wasn't nearly as painful as I expected. Based on my experience and those I've heard about on here during the psych exam they are checking to make sure:

1. You don't have a history/tendencies toward eating disorders (of course many of us WLS patients are "overeaters" but my psych wanted to know if I had ever been anorexic, or bulimic because both of those are extremely dangerous with our tiny, banana tummies)

2. That are you mentally sound (by which I mean you don't have delusional thoughts like, "If I lose 100lbs, then my life will be perfect." That you recognize your life will be better, but this isn't a magic "fix" that will solve all your problems)

3. That's your knowledgeable about the procedure (I was asked to tell what I knew and how did I feel about losing 85% of my stomach)

4. Your focus is on your HEALTH and not just looking hot in a bikini (I told my psych the truth -- I was starting to have joint pain, my blood pressure was elevated, I get winded easily, I had developed mild sleep apnea and my periods were becoming irregular which scared me because I want to have children in the next 1 - 2 years.)

As for the nutritionist, that will be a lot less nerve wracking. I would just ask if they can give you a packet/written information about your pre-opt and post opt diet because it's a lot to remember and write down. Also ask when should you start taking Vitamins, do they need to be liquid and what kinds and how much.

I know it doesn't seem like it now, but you will be fine.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Comfy_Blue

[michelle68 46]

Ditto the above. The psysc also asked if I used any recreational drugs because hey won't approve someone who does...reason...marijuana can give you the munchies LOL My guy actually did not clear 3 people before because of that.

He also wanted to make sure my family and husband was OK with it.

I had to have monthly dietician appointments for 6 months prior to surgery. Every month I was weighed....she asked what I ate before..then we tweeked thing if we needed too. she taught me about portions and proper balnce of a meal.

[HannahD 27]

My psych eval was the most painless part. Answered some questions on a bubble sheet, discussed the results and she gave me some tips going forward.

The dietician was great too because she gave me an outline for what to do. If you just tell me "eat health" I'll freak out because what the hell does that mean.

But having it mapped out in black and white was super helpful.

[bandmomtb 8]

Yes, I also found the psych to be no big deal. I had been through some therapy in the past and take anti-depressents, but the provider I saw just asked me a lot of yes/no questions.

I found the nutritionist appoint to be more intense than the psych because she pointed out things I do wrong... felt more personal and invasive, and was an hour longer than the 30 minute psych. *LOL*

[SuperFab 689]

Heck, I'm bipolar and they approved me. She just made sure I've been stable and on my meds for at least a year and that I had a support person when/if needed. Asked for a letter from my regular psych stating diagnosis, if I'm stable and if we planned on continuing our sessions. It was more of a rap session and us discussing my expectations more than anything.

[LaurenB8604 29]

Thank you to everyone who gave me some guidance in to both of these appointments!! I am kinda nervous about the dietitian appointment because during the orientation seminar she mentioned that she has no problem denying people if she feels they are not at the level she feels they should be... Which of course worries me because she had a very cut and dry attitude about all of it... Which I guess you have to be when it comes to making sure everyone understands what life will be like after the surgery !! Again thanks to all you replied I really appreciate it !

[SuperFab 689]

Thank you to everyone who gave me some guidance in to both of these appointments!! I am kinda nervous about the dietitian appointment because during the orientation seminar she mentioned that she has no problem denying people if she feels they are not at the level she feels they should be... Which of course worries me because she had a very cut and dry attitude about all of it... Which I guess you have to be when it comes to making sure everyone understands what life will be like after the surgery !! Again thanks to all you replied I really appreciate it !

Wow, normally if anything, they extend u another month. Just try not to stress and have a positive attitude. U can do this.

[whosaysyoucant 111]

Thank you to everyone who gave me some guidance in to both of these appointments!! I am kinda nervous about the dietitian appointment because during the orientation seminar she mentioned that she has no problem denying people if she feels they are not at the level she feels they should be... Which of course worries me because she had a very cut and dry attitude about all of it... Which I guess you have to be when it comes to making sure everyone understands what life will be like after the surgery !! Again thanks to all you replied I really appreciate it !

Wow, normally if anything, they extend u another month. Just try not to stress and have a positive attitude. U can do this.

Make sure you give answers you mean and not what you think they want to hear. That will haunt you in the end. They want to make sure you are where you need to be when you have this...trying to help set you up for success!