Any last minute psychology appt advice?

[lussa 21]

I’m having my 3rd session with the surgery psych soon and I just want to be done. Not a fan of this guy and he seems to be fulfilling a role that the dietitian is supposed to fill. He’s drawing this out as long as possible. Hoping to see my own psychologist about issues I’m having but I’ve been controlling my food intake, counting calories and have been losing weight on my own. He’s just unhappy that I told him I don’t know what I’d do if I was on vacation and needed to eat or that I wasn’t substituting my Breakfast for Protein Shakes. I just really need to get past him as they won’t even let me meet my assigned surgeon to see if I like her or not and then face the next hump - either switching surgeons or going forward.

[ShoppGirl 4,468]

The only thing I can suggest is to be honest and don’t try to rush the process. I don’t think the therapist asked me the right questions and I didn’t know enough to volunteer info and I passed the psyc evaluation and only learned after surgery about boredom and emotional eating. These things have been a big struggle for me and I wish I had addressed them prior to surgery. It looks like I will still be able to reach goal but it hasn’t been easy at all. Not saying that you have any of these issues. But some of us do and racing the clock in therapy trying to do both parts at once has not been fun. As much as I couldn’t wait to have the surgery I can only hope I can finish the emotional work before the honeymoon phase wears off so I don’t gain it all back.

Edited December 13, 2021 by ShoppGirl

[Sunnyway 344]

Unless you have an eating disorder or a drinking problem, he will pass you. Instead of feeling like you are on the hot seat, use him--ask him questions and ask for guidance for things like the vacation challenge.

[GreenTealael 25,166]

4 hours ago, lussa said:

I’m having my 3rd session with the surgery psych soon and I just want to be done. Not a fan of this guy and he seems to be fulfilling a role that the dietitian is supposed to fill. He’s drawing this out as long as possible. Hoping to see my own psychologist about issues I’m having but I’ve been controlling my food intake, counting calories and have been losing weight on my own. He’s just unhappy that I told him I don’t know what I’d do if I was on vacation and needed to eat or that I wasn’t substituting my Breakfast for Protein Shakes. I just really need to get past him as they won’t even let me meet my assigned surgeon to see if I like her or not and then face the next hump - either switching surgeons or going forward.

You could try going back to the therapist and saying “Since our last session I have thought a lot about what you said and…” tell them what you would do in the event of any inconvenience to “the Plan”. I think they are looking for signs of adaptability and growth.

However, If you have an eating disorder, it’s possible they are probing to see if you need more care before moving the process along.

[lussa 21]

I don’t have an eating disorder.

He also seems a bit misinformed and I feel like I need to lie to meet his standards. He thinks I need to be spending 5 hours in the gym per week. Guidelines recommend 175 minutes per week (which is just shy of 3 hours…) and honestly I can’t become an exercise addict until my joint pain wears off - which will probably be after I lose a bunch of weight!

[Sunnyway 344]

Don't lie. Don't say things you think he would want you to say. You can finesse this next meeting by asking him questions and challenging his misconceptions--bring the guidelines with you.

[learn2cook 558]

Real meaningful weight loss is a head game. It tests our resilience and adaptability. Most of us don’t know we have so many emotional areas to work upon in order to reach our goals. I’m with ShoppGirl, and I too didn’t realize how much I was emotionally eating. There’s nothing to finesse. Just be you and ask good questions because you are curious about finding real long term health.

Also, three hours a week is only 1/2 hour a day. That’s a stroll around a parking lot or a park, marching in your house, dancing, or a bike ride. It could even be broken into 3 ten minute strolls per day. Just getting up from the couch to move during TV commercials would qualify.

[lussa 21]

Cleared with psychologist as of last night… thank goodness

[happyhodges 1]

On 12/13/2021 at 3:11 PM, Sunnyway said:

Unless you have an eating disorder or a drinking problem, he will pass you. Instead of feeling like you are on the hot seat, use him--ask him questions and ask for guidance for things like the vacation challenge.

Out of curiosity, I have 5 1/2 years in recovery in NA. I have my first appointment in Jan. Is there a possibility that I won't "pass" the psych eval due to history with addiction? I am also currently in OA! Just started working the program in OA and have 17 days abstinent. TIA!

[lussa 21]

5 minutes ago, happyhodges said:

Out of curiosity, I have 5 1/2 years in recovery in NA. I have my first appointment in Jan. Is there a possibility that I won't "pass" the psych eval due to history with addiction? I am also currently in OA! Just started working the program in OA and have 17 days abstinent. TIA!

If you’ve been sober (at least for the past year) then I don’t think you should have a problem at all. As for OA then I think the psych would expect you to overeat as many obese patients do. They’ll want to work on that though so maybe expect a few sessions with them depending on how thorough they are (some don’t care). The only things that disqualify someone is active substance abuse, suicidiality and an uncontrolled condition involving bad symptoms but even that’s temporary until you’re stable.

Update I finally passed my psych eval!

[happyhodges 1]

3 minutes ago, lussa said:

If you’ve been sober (at least for the past year) then I don’t think you should have a problem at all. As for OA then I think the psych would expect you to overeat as many obese patients do. They’ll want to work on that though so maybe expect a few sessions with them depending on how thorough they are (some don’t care). The only things that disqualify someone is active substance abuse, suicidiality and an uncontrolled condition involving bad symptoms but even that’s temporary until you’re stable.

Update I finally passed my psych eval!

Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[lussa 21]

I hate waiting for him to finish his report. I know it’s the holidays but it’s been like 2 weeks. I’m so anxious to meet the surgeon finally and get this moving since my weight loss is beginning to stall and I don’t want to get back to my starting weight or risk having my surgery postponed if COVID gets uglier.

[liveaboard15 1,293]

So i called for my psyc evaluation appointment today here in Florida and was told next available appointment is at the end of March... 3 dang months. No way to skip it. I tried going with a online psyc bariatrics evaluation doctor and my hospital rejected it and said no because they dont do it their way. I didnt think i would have to do this since i am paying cash and not using insurance. Endo Hospital in Mexico doesnt require a Psyc Evalucation.