Question:
I have been seeing an eating disorder psychologist
for about eight months now for binge eating. I no longer have major bingeing episodes and feel 100% confident that I can stick to dietary restrictions post-op. The problem is that the psychologist at my surgery center wants a letter of support from my normal psychologist. My normal psychologist is pushing back and telling me that she is not in favor of the surgery and wants to closely monitor me first. I am frustrated and don't know what to do. It should be my decision on whether or not I can handle this. I mean, I completely passed the surgery center's psychological written exam and consult. — kristynush (posted on May 15, 2003)
May 15, 2003
Your eating disorder psych wants you to wait? Does he disagree with people
having the surgery period or is it that he thinks you are not ready? If he
thinks that you are not ready, I would listen. This person is a specialist
in the field. I am 7 months post-op and an seeing a counselor who
specializes in eating disorders.....I wish I would have had the goo sense
to seek and complete treatent BEFORE wls......if I would have I would
probably be losing much more weight than I am. I would have a healthy view
of food ect.....the psych that your weight loss surgeon sent you to, works
with your surgeon in trying to get you approved and doesnt know you that
well, doesnt know your history that well....
— cherokey55
May 15, 2003
If you passed the surgeon's psych exam then what is the problem. Get
another psych. Your normal psych's opinion does not matter. Go to a psych
your surgeon recommends. The insurance company does not need your normal
psych evaluation that you see regularly. Don't let their opinion keep you
back if you want surgery. You will not be able to binge it. You body will
not physically allow you to over eat. Your attitude and mental state will
most likely change as well. I am not an MD so do not take my word, just do
not let other plp hold you back and doubt yourself.
— Shayla527
May 15, 2003
Can I just tell you how good it is to hear other's who are finally getting
this help with eating disorder specialist as well as surgery. I truely
feel as if this process is about mind, body and soul. Most people just
concentrate on the body and food part of the surgery.
ok with that said, I'm surprized your therapist is not willing to write the
letter for you. Is it she is against the surgery period or just for you
right now? The next time you see her, I would go in with as much as know
about the surgery and how you feel and see if you can change her mind? So
she knows how prepared you are. Perhaps she really is looking out for your
best intrest? If not, get another doctor. You need to be with someone you
trust. Best os lusck to you...aims
— chickiewickie
May 16, 2003
I disagree with Shayla completely. Your normal psyhs opinion is very
important. This person is a specialist in the field, has been working with
you for months, knows you very well, YOU PAY THIS PERSON TO GIVE YOU SOUND
ADVICE....like I said in my prior post, I would find out if this Dr. is
against wls period or if hes against you having it right now. Your wls
will be way less than than it could be for you if you have it without being
ready....exorcise your food demons first so you will be successful later.
You can still binge after wls.....a lady I know ate until she burst her
staples/stiches..whatever was holding her stomach together after her wls,
she nearly died and they did not redo her staples/stitches. You can also
develop a pattern like I have.... I never eat much at once..maybe 1 oz or
so.....but I eat constantly, like every couple hours..You can definately
eat through this surgery. These problems DO NOT just disappear after
wls..they are still there and must be dealt with completely before you
embark on your weight loss journey.....I wouldnt fee so strongly if I didnt
speak from experience...good luck
— cherokey55
May 16, 2003
Your situation is two-sided and both sides are about even. Do you trust
your normal psychologist in other matters of your life? I ask this because
if you do and this has been a good chemistry between the two of you, just
ask honestly why she is not in favor of it. If it is HER personal opinion,
then by all means, get another psychologist. On the other hand, if she
feels that it is something else, work through it together. This is a very
tough journey, there are days that are really hard to get through without
my old friend and there are days that are a breeze. I personally have
decided to start going to a psychologist myself because I am having issues
with self-image. It really is a mental hardship, your life changes so fast
and our old reliable friend is no longer there. I have a friend that went
through the same thing as you, and granted it took longer, but she is so
much happier that it was done the way it was. But I still don't understand
why they need two psych. evaluations. Doesn't seem to make sense to me.
One bit of advice that I have noticed from support group: from the
beginning if you have any cravings for something sweet, make it the sugar
free variety, I have noticed a pattern from people that start with a bite
size candy every day, then two.... before they know it, they are eating
full size candy bars..etc. I keep plenty of alternative choices around
(just in case) and I have found that sometimes just knowing it's there is a
form of comfort, I have thrown alot away due to being stale before it was
finished. Not something I was ever used to doing before. Best of luck to
you! My process took a long time to, and I think that I felt that it
really prepared me to work harder to succeed. It must have, I am very
close to goal only 8 1/2 mo out and down to 155 from 283.
— Dana B.
May 16, 2003
I also wanted to add, that if you trust your normal psychologist, stick
with her and work it out. If not, move on. My daughter has been having
problems (bi-polar) and we went through 4 different psychologists before we
found one that she feels comfortable with. Remember, they are human too
and even though that is there job, they don't know everything and are not
going to 'click' with everyone.
— Dana B.
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