Angie P.
Psych Eval, Nutritionist and Other Fun Things!!
Jan 22, 2009
On January 14th, I also had a psych eval and visited the nutritionist. Both good experiences so I thought I would share. Oh, these are both at the Cleveland Clinic.
My psych eval was good. I spoke with the Psychologist for about an hour. She talked about my support network, what I expected, what the possible side effects, eating disorders, etc. She told me that I would fill out a questionaire (which I did) and then she gave me a letter clearing me for surgery with her blessing. It was really easy. The questionaire was bizarre...there were even questions in there to make sure you were actually answering the questions and not just marking any answer. The psychologist said if I needed her, then call her. Otherwise, I will see her 4 weeks after surgery.
I have to do a 6-month supervised diet...so I met with the CC nutritionist Wendy. She was very supportive and gave some good tips. I think I plan to do the supervised diet with her rather than my PCP. She was really sweet and understood the special requirements of the surgery that my PCP just doesn't understand.
Since I'm just starting the diet, I won't even be looking at surgery until later this summer. But I'm just glad to be moving in the right direction. I hope that this time next year I will be much thinner and healthier.
Angie
0 comments
My psych eval was good. I spoke with the Psychologist for about an hour. She talked about my support network, what I expected, what the possible side effects, eating disorders, etc. She told me that I would fill out a questionaire (which I did) and then she gave me a letter clearing me for surgery with her blessing. It was really easy. The questionaire was bizarre...there were even questions in there to make sure you were actually answering the questions and not just marking any answer. The psychologist said if I needed her, then call her. Otherwise, I will see her 4 weeks after surgery.
I have to do a 6-month supervised diet...so I met with the CC nutritionist Wendy. She was very supportive and gave some good tips. I think I plan to do the supervised diet with her rather than my PCP. She was really sweet and understood the special requirements of the surgery that my PCP just doesn't understand.
Since I'm just starting the diet, I won't even be looking at surgery until later this summer. But I'm just glad to be moving in the right direction. I hope that this time next year I will be much thinner and healthier.
Angie
EDG Experience!
Jan 22, 2009
Well, I went to the CC on the 14th and got my EDG, psych eval and met with the nutritionist. All were pretty easy. Here's info on the EDG for anyone that hasn't experienced this yet.
The EDG was something I worried about. The worst part was getting the IV and waiting. I've talked to a few people that said that you don't remember anything. Well, I remember most of it. First, I was called back and they had me put on a gown over my clothes. Then they took my blood pressure, asked me a few questions and started the IV. I hate the feeling of the medication going in to the IV, it hurts and keeps hurting for awhile...so that was no fun. After that I sat there for about 20 minutes.
Eventually, the wheeled my bed into the procedure room. Everyone was very nice. They explained what was going to happen, which I appreciated. They had me open up my mouth wide and they sprayed a local anesthetic spray in my throat. It tasted NASTY. The doctor said that he knows it's bad because just leaning over our mouths to do the procedure he can sometimes "taste it" in his mouth because it's airborne. They then told me that they were going to put the medication in my IV. I started to feel groggy.
I was then told to lay on my left side and they propped pillows behind my back. I was surprised at how large the "scope" was that they were going to put down my throat and was thankful for the medication. They warned me that I would get a gag reflex. I was prepared for that. What I wasn't prepared for was the fact that every time they moved the scope, I had the gag reflex again. Before I knew it, they were wheeling me out again.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad. I was comfortable (except the occassional gag reflex). I was surprised that I was groggy later in the afternoon, and I did have a sore throat for about a day.
0 comments
The EDG was something I worried about. The worst part was getting the IV and waiting. I've talked to a few people that said that you don't remember anything. Well, I remember most of it. First, I was called back and they had me put on a gown over my clothes. Then they took my blood pressure, asked me a few questions and started the IV. I hate the feeling of the medication going in to the IV, it hurts and keeps hurting for awhile...so that was no fun. After that I sat there for about 20 minutes.
Eventually, the wheeled my bed into the procedure room. Everyone was very nice. They explained what was going to happen, which I appreciated. They had me open up my mouth wide and they sprayed a local anesthetic spray in my throat. It tasted NASTY. The doctor said that he knows it's bad because just leaning over our mouths to do the procedure he can sometimes "taste it" in his mouth because it's airborne. They then told me that they were going to put the medication in my IV. I started to feel groggy.
I was then told to lay on my left side and they propped pillows behind my back. I was surprised at how large the "scope" was that they were going to put down my throat and was thankful for the medication. They warned me that I would get a gag reflex. I was prepared for that. What I wasn't prepared for was the fact that every time they moved the scope, I had the gag reflex again. Before I knew it, they were wheeling me out again.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad. I was comfortable (except the occassional gag reflex). I was surprised that I was groggy later in the afternoon, and I did have a sore throat for about a day.
Got call from Cleveland Clinic
Nov 20, 2008
Cleveland Clinic has a great bariatric center, so I'm told. 
I certainly hope so because they make you jump through hoops before you can even go there. I had to fill out an 18 page questionaire about everything from family history to urinary incontinence to medical coverage.
So I sent the paperwork back along with copies of my prior surgical records (since I"m a revision). I was beginning to think after 3 weeks that they would never call me. But they finally did....
So, I will be going January 14th for an EGD, Psych consultation and Nutritionist consultation. Then again on January 15th for an Upper GI and a doctor consultation.
They have to make sure I'm still a good candidate because of the lap-band that I had previous that was removed. I'm hoping that since I'm a revision that they won't make me go through another 6-month diet. However, I did start one with a local doctor so the worse case scenerio is that I would be done at the end of April.
So, that's it for now. I"m looking forward to moving on with this and starting a healthier life.
I certainly hope so because they make you jump through hoops before you can even go there. I had to fill out an 18 page questionaire about everything from family history to urinary incontinence to medical coverage.
So I sent the paperwork back along with copies of my prior surgical records (since I"m a revision). I was beginning to think after 3 weeks that they would never call me. But they finally did....
So, I will be going January 14th for an EGD, Psych consultation and Nutritionist consultation. Then again on January 15th for an Upper GI and a doctor consultation.
They have to make sure I'm still a good candidate because of the lap-band that I had previous that was removed. I'm hoping that since I'm a revision that they won't make me go through another 6-month diet. However, I did start one with a local doctor so the worse case scenerio is that I would be done at the end of April.
So, that's it for now. I"m looking forward to moving on with this and starting a healthier life.
About Me
Warren, OH
Location
47.2
BMI
Jul 27, 2006
Member Since
