Question:
Do you find psychological counseling to be helpful after the surgery?
I have made a mistake. I should have found a psychologist/therapist long before now. I did see one about 2 mths. ago but her sessions are only 30 min. long. I am on Humana Gold Classic HMO insurance, and certain therapists actually only do 30 min. sessions. I am in desperate need to get back in to one-on-one counseling to help me deal with the emotional "food issues" that are still with me since the surgery. Ex. wanting to eat when not hungry, etc. I can go to the monthly support group, and have, but I really need one-on-one counseling before I go back to the monthly support groups. I need to feel more confident in myself before I can be in a large support group. Anyone else feel this way? Is counseling helpful for you? I am currently in the process of finding a new psychologist or therapist who will counsel for 40 min-an hr. a session. The last therapist I saw was very good, but she only does 30 min. sessions and it's for the same co-pay as it would be for someone who does longer sessions. I have to find another therapist. Just wanting to post my thoughts. Please respond if you are in the same boat. — Bonnie R. (posted on February 8, 2004)
February 7, 2004
I have found it to be helpful. I've only been twice, but I think that I
feel that it has helped me. He has made me aware of the fact that I need
to stop the "battles in my mind" over the food I eat. I don't
really know why, but I really haven't felt the obsession for food that I
did before counseling. Maybe I'm "undigging" some emotional
baggage or something! But anyways, yes, I have found it helpful.
— raye
February 7, 2004
Hi Bonnie
I have strong opinions about this topic, because I am a therapist myself,
and I am in therapy for WLS issues. I agree that finding someone who does
the standard 50 minute sessions would be more helpful. Support groups are
excellent in their own way, but they won't help you on an in-depth personal
level to figure out your food issues-- but don't skip on the support groups
until you can find a therapist! You can still listen and benefit from
them. I'm 10 months post-RNY, and I thought I would need a therapist for
all the food-adjustment issues, so I started before surgery. In the time
since then, we've covered so much more than eating behavior, and it has
been a life-saver. Keep searching for the right therapist for you, it will
be worth it. Best wishes, Judy
— inkychick
February 8, 2004
I'm 13 months out and I can imagine the last year without having a
therapist to bounce things off of. I only go once every 3 -4 weeks. My
first three months were the hardest because so much weight came off so fast
..I was happy but I missed my friend "FOOD" too. Later it has
just been dealing with feelings about relationships, the weight loss, and
my new life. I'm very happy but I still remember those heavier days when
it was so hard to move around, life was really passing me by. Support
groups and this web site have helped to but counseling is your best
option.
— debmi
February 8, 2004
I <b>know</b> I would have failed by now if not for excellent
therapy after WLS. I was in both individual therapy every two weeks and a
90 minute bariatric therapy group once/week. Both were tremendously
helpful. I did both for about one year, and now I just go to a monthly
large-group support meeting. <br>
Since my bariatric surgeon didn't touch my brain, :) I am so thankful for
that extra support. There were a lot of reasons I got to be so unhealthy,
and I am glad I could start working on repairing some of the damage. Also,
it is a lot easier to identify some of the things that trigger bad habits
around me that could set me up for failure in my new, healthy lifestyle now
that I never saw before.
— kultgirl
February 9, 2004
I have been in therapy for 2.5 years for depression and anxiety, and OCD.
I am scheduled for surgery on 3/8. I cannot imagine going through surgery
without a plan of therapy. I realize that many of my food issues are
mental and I think I will fail in WLS if I do not address the issues. I
like having a person to talk to that is there for ME and ME alone. Pdoc
has my best interests at heart and understand why I feel like I do. I
trust him completely. I meet with pdoc weekly for 45 minutes. My
insurance does not really cover his cost because he is a Christian
counselor but I feel too strongly about therapy to stop. It is an expence
that I cover after the mortgage but before the food :). Please consider
finding a therapist that will work with you. Do not be afraid to ask about
time and cost while interviewing the pdoc. Good luck.
— jeh
February 9, 2004
Does your wls program offer small support groups? I think they help more
than the big gruops. It helps me to know that others have the same issues
and what they did to get things under control.Eating becomes a control
issue. You have to control what you eat. The physical surgery will be of
little benefit if you don't eat right. Make the decision to be healthy.
— dianne E.
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