Psychological changes

Im not required to have any kind of consultation or screening beforehand.  I was just wondering what kind of emotional and behavioral changes you all have personally had to deal with for the entire process?   I have great self confidence but I have NEVER been small before...heck, I have never even been medium before.  Ha!  Im sure that this surgery brings more positive feelings...but Im curious about the negative feelings that can come with it...besides the obvious. 

Hmmm, I can't think of anything bad about losing weight!  Well, I guess my biggest issue is that I'm still the "fat girl" on the inside.  I see the same person when I look in the mirror, no matter how much weight I lose.  That's my biggest thing.

I think the consultation is just to make sure you're "prepared" and doing it for the right reasons, etc.

Good luck!

Kristen

there is nothing wrong w losing weight itself.  my biggest issue is FEAR 
how will my life change? it has to.   how will i interact w others? 
in my past, each major weight change was a turning point in my life.
this world is crazy enough.  can i handle another major change?   taking one day at a time.  remaining focused.  one foot in front of each other. 
or as my saying is:  fake it till it become real.

best of luck

I think the main reaseon that most docs have patients go through a psych eval before hand is to determine how open you are to change and modifying your behavior, I am only 2 weeks post op and the only Psycholoical changes thus far have been positive. Granted I am still very far from my goal but I already ferel better about myself and the only negative feeling is why did I not do this sooner.  The toughest part mentally for me was getting past the am I doing the right thing feeling prior to my surgery.  I was contimplating is it the right thing to do tho have surgery to modify my body (so to speak) to loose weight. 

Besk of Luck!
Mike

I did almost 2 years of counseling before my surgery.  That was my decision,  not my insurance.  I was abused sexually by a family memeber when I was a kid, so I knew I had issues that were causing me to eat.  I needed to do my best to resolve those issues before I had surgery because I knew that I wouldn't succeed without doing something.  Since the surgery I think the only issue I am having is that I still look fat in the mirror despite people telling me I look great.  I think the change to yourself comes much slower than those around me.  It is getting better.  Good luck.

Ashley:

One thing the psychiatrist mentionned to me is that they treat several people currently who are post WLS and have issues with anorexia and/or bulimia.  From him, I understand that post op these people have become micro-managers of their intake that their health is still in jeopardy.

Just an interesting tidbit.......

I had to have a screening for my insurance and they had to make sure my eating wasn't emotional. If you are an emotional eater and you get the surgery then you are either going to not lose any weight or you could hurt yourself by stretching the band or making yourself very sick. They have to make sure you just eat too much because you're hungry all the time, not because you are bored, lonely, angry, or just binge eating because you can. I know my friend was an emotional eater and he lied to the doctor and she said he was fine to get the surgery and then after he had it he was so determined he actually worked through all of his problems and has lost about 150 pounds. But he is not the norm. I also know someone who did that and then had to have the band removed 5 months later because they were contantly over eating and puking all the time. There are reasons why all of these things are done and they are usually in your best interest. But if you don't have to have the psych eval then that's cool! Mine was just a waste of time. I know why I'm fat. I eat the wrong foods and I eat too many of them. I didn't need a PHD to tell me that...

As far as the emotional feelings I have been noticing I do feel better about myself but I feel like I'm not losing weight fast enough and that has caused me to be very self consious. I didn't used to be so self-aware, say, in the bedroom, but now I feel like I have some lose skin and stuff and I have to cover up more... I was expecting only positive feelings but there are some negative. I can't wait to lose all my weight and then have another surgery for the saggy parts, like my boobs :)

Oh my goodness.  I wasn't nervous/scared at all, not really one bit before surgery.  During surgery i was just like, i want out of this place-I want to go home.  The emotions sure hit AFTER for me.  The scale is EVIL, I strongly recommend weighing yourself ONCE a week and that's it.  I really got upset when I gained 3 lbs back, I cried and cried and it's so stupid.  So just be prepared for that if you weigh yourself alot.  Also, the frustration that comes w/ not being able to eat regular foods-that you could eat before, it's all mental, trust me!  I've never been small or medium either!  Be happy and rejoice that you're making a decision for LIFE and for the BETTER!  I'm so happy for you, you'll be on our side soon! 

I didnt need any type of counseling either. I am two weeks post op and I am struggling right now.
I am currently facing a life changing crisis as well as trying to recover from surgery. I have to say that now that I am feeling good and am able to eat soft solids...I am missing food. I miss medicating myself with food and Im kinda feeling lost...I dont know what to do with myself right now. I am really working on keeping myself busy. Not to mention...Im Hungry! LOL 

I have lost weight once before...never made it to onederland...but close. Im READY. I didnt have so much of that fat girl in my head as I had...woah...Ya cant tell me CRAP now...Watchout! LOL Im ready to feel like that again!

Thanks Ladies!   I am going through counseling right now, mostly for grief but I was also sexually abused....the interesting thing is that I'm not really an emotional eater.   Im hoping that I wont have too much trouble because Im lucky enough to be able to drop habits and adapt to change easily.  My counselor thinks that everyone should have counseling before going through WLS...so I just thought I would ask about the changes.