Question:
Psychiatric counseling for depression prior to surgery?
I am close to scheduling my surgery date for Lap Band. I went to the pre-requisite psychiatric evaluation and then took the test (i am assuming it was a personality test). It was about 150 questions that you answered true or false to. It was really no biggie. Well that was 2 weeks ago and yesterday the nurse calls me and says that it is being recommended that I receive counseling for depression prior to scheduling my surgery. This really has been frustrating for me. I dont consider myself clinically depressed to the point i need counseling and nothing of the sort was mentioned when I was at my evaluation. Part of me just wants to call whole thing off. Has this happened to anyone else? Suggestions? — kentuckygirl_36 (posted on March 28, 2009)
March 28, 2009
Whatever you do, don't call it off. Your Dr. may be able to refer you to a
different psych. It was only a recommendation, and who knows it may just
be a couple visits and you will be cleared. Don't let these little
obstacles get in your way from accomplishing your DREAM!!
— Stop Sharing_1976
March 28, 2009
I had a very similar experience... I only met the the psychiatrist for 10
minutes and he decided that I was depressed... well isn't that why I am
antidepressents???
Anyway, when he told me that he was holding his approval for 3 months I was
so disappointed and frustrated... I had finished everything else..
At my next appointment at my suregeons office I had told them what happend
(the shrink didn't even sent over any report) especially how he spent less
then 10 minutes with me... the doctor said that she didn't she that I was
soo depressed, and if my primary (who prescribed the antidepessants.. and
told me not to worry about the psych exam b/c we both new I would pass with
flying colors) said that I was fine that in the 3 months if the shrink
still wouldn't agree then we would have to have my primary write a letter
to the insurance co.... hello the dr that has been treating me for the past
15 years knows me more then someone who just met me and spent less then 10
minutes with me...
Don't give up... believe me I wanted to... but I will not let that
"doctor" take this from me.. I have done a lot of research on who
I wanted for the surgery and I finally found the right dr and felt prepared
to accept the life changes that come with the surgery..
— wendy-s
March 28, 2009
Was the psychiatric counselor someone to whom you were referred by your
primary doctor or the surgeon? If the answer is "yes", then you
might want to consider taking his or her advice. The test you took is
standard to determine your state of mind, and what they're trying to find
out is whether your expectation of the outcome is realistic or not. You
may think the surgery will solve all of your problems; it won't. You'll
still have the same emotional problems. The surgery and aftermath will be
traumatic, and your success will depend on how well equipped you are
emotionally to handle such a drastic change in your life. Please don't
take offense at what I'm saying. I support you in your desire to change
your life for the better. But if a professional is asking you to wait, or
get some counseling first, please just consider their advice.
— agwc
March 28, 2009
I would do the counseling. WLS and the lifestyle change that follows it is
a big deal. It's a major life changing event. Depressed or not, the more
support you have the better. In your question, you say "I don't
consider myself clinically depressed to the point I need
counseling..." Think of counseling as preventative medicine. Deal
with the minor depression now before it gets to the point where you are
clinically depressed.
Best wishes.
— mrsidknee
March 29, 2009
Holly, I know what you mean by being so frustrated. I have not experience
this feeling with the Psych as I am scheduled for the eval this week...but
I feel your form of frustration to the fact of calling it off dealing with
request for my five year medical history and past doc office giving me the
run around. However, hang in there as I plan to do because there is a
bigger picture we are facing upon completion. These request will be a thing
of the past and a part of memories. No pain, no gain...not sure how true
that saying is but it fits OUR situation currently. I'm not sure if you can
ask what specifically brought the additional counseling on. I will go and
do the eval as requested but be mindful of how you answer questions:) Good
luck!!!
— crystal220
March 30, 2009
Why are you resisting the counseling? I went in on my own before surgery
to help resolve some of my issues with food. It made it easier afterwards.
This is a major life change and counsleing will not hurt you. Give it a
try. Many people struggle with the emotional change after surgery. It is
good to be in a good place when you start
— trible
March 30, 2009
So many people go into WLS full force with the idea that being thinner will
make them happier. The problem is that your head does not get operated on
and while the WLS itself will make weight loss very easy, keeping it off
becomes a struggle for those who have unresolved issues. The mind is
powerful and if you have stress and problems in your life, that may be
contributing to your weight, those problems will still be there after
surgery. If you do not learn to deal with old, new and daily stress, and
the resulting eating disorders that made you MO in the first place, will
most likely aid in weight gain later...KNOWING that you have an eating
disorder is crucial. Many times gaining weight has NOTHING to do with diet
and exercise but with stress and your intimate relationship with
food...That relationship must end as a love affair, best friend, security
blanket and feel good drug... Learning how to deal with stress rather than
comfort eat is the key to your success in the long run. You might not
think you are depressed or in need of therapy...but the answers to your
questions are proof to a professional that you might need a little extra
help besides the surgery...I've been thru some 10 years of clinical therapy
and 10-15 years of my own deeply profound soul searching and how I handle
stress now as opposed to before, made all the difference in my success. I
truly believe that therapy is one of the key ingredients to long term
success because even after I became thinner and healthier and I thought
that I had come such a long way from therapy...I didn't even have a clue
how much MORE room for improvement there was still! It will not hurt you
to be in therapy for a short time...I don't know why people feel so
insulted at the thought that they might-could use some help...but my advice
is to take that help so you can become a complete success long term...Just
my opinion! BTW, I am 5 years PO and while I have done well...I still
struggle with an eating disorder daily! DAILY! I know I can out eat my WLS
if I allow the stresses in my life to lead me back to comfort eating...Old
habits die hard...so learn to deal with them the best you can! Don't call
off the whole thing...Heal your head and heart before surgery and wrap your
entire life around that second chance at happiness, health and being
thin...(Those 3 things start in your head and while surgery might get you
there...mental health is the glue that will hold it all together!!)
— .Anita R.
March 30, 2009
Yes, it happened to me. After discussing it with my Dr,he decided to go
ahead and do the surgery, but suggersted I may want to follow up with some
couseling in order to get the best results. Well, that was a year ago, and
today, with NO couseling, I have met my goal and surpassed it, losing
almost 125lbs with the sleeve. Some people DO need it, no doubt, but you
know yourself better than any test does. Talk to your Dr.
— corky1057
March 30, 2009
This just happened to me this morning. I went for the eval. last week. The
woman spent less than 5 min with me and then sent me to this area with
dividers between the desks for all of these packets to fill out.(Like you
would want to copy someone and I was the only person back there. I didnt
get true or false. They had scales of answers.Like one through 5."They
also had pages of numbers and sequencing and I transpose #s alot but noone
bothered to ask that!! It took almost 3 hrs to fill it all out. This
morning I started trying to find out why I hadnt heard if I passed or not.
Talked to so many people before finally getting someone on the phone to
talk to. She said I passed but there are reservations about my depression.
Do they all think that we are fat and JOLLY? Give me a break. Im on sooo
many meds for the depression to keep it at bay.
Now I have to attend All of the support groups at Vanderbilt. I called my
own Psychologist and was going to go see him but his receptionist said he
wont see me or talk to me if Im having weight loss surgery. So, Of course I
get off the phone and started crying but then I stopped. I can go through
anything they can throw at me to get this surgery to save my life. Im not
going to let some stranger dictate what will happen to my life. We have to
stick together!! Suzette
— suzette N.
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