Psych evaluation and WLS
I'm only writing about this because I wasn't given a psychological evaluation prior to surgery nor did I get behavior modification classes prior to surgery. I had a psychiatric evaluation. My psychiatrist was enthusiastic that I was going to have WLS. I get the idea that his primary input was that I would be able to handle the surgery and post-op work because I am sane enough when I'm on medication. I've never missed taking my anti-depressants and meds for manic-depression because I'm afraid of how I might be without the meds.
Some people do need a psychiatric evaluation especially if they have a mental illness. I don't think any ins company wants to go through with the WLS when a patient is suicidal. Obviously, someone seeking salvation from WLS for that condition is blind to their real problem: the WLS is not going to help them.
In contrast, although my WLS did not cure me of compulsive eating, it did help me a lot since I'm still maintaining over a 200 lb weight loss.
By the way, my brief profile is wrong: I've been a member in OH since July 2000 and had my first RNY on 11-16-2000. I lost most of my weight as a result of that surgery. I didn't find out that I had a staple line disruption until the summer of 2004. I only lost about 40 lbs following my second RNY on 01-21-2005, but that surgery did prevent me from rapidly gaining weight. I was having problems with my antidepressants by the time I had that surgery and I wasn't cooperative during the critical first 6 mos following surgery. Pouch is fine but attitude wasn't. Didn't change anti-depressants until Oct, 2005. Now I struggle with compulsive eating but I AM working on that problem now. Bob
Some people do need a psychiatric evaluation especially if they have a mental illness. I don't think any ins company wants to go through with the WLS when a patient is suicidal. Obviously, someone seeking salvation from WLS for that condition is blind to their real problem: the WLS is not going to help them.
In contrast, although my WLS did not cure me of compulsive eating, it did help me a lot since I'm still maintaining over a 200 lb weight loss.
By the way, my brief profile is wrong: I've been a member in OH since July 2000 and had my first RNY on 11-16-2000. I lost most of my weight as a result of that surgery. I didn't find out that I had a staple line disruption until the summer of 2004. I only lost about 40 lbs following my second RNY on 01-21-2005, but that surgery did prevent me from rapidly gaining weight. I was having problems with my antidepressants by the time I had that surgery and I wasn't cooperative during the critical first 6 mos following surgery. Pouch is fine but attitude wasn't. Didn't change anti-depressants until Oct, 2005. Now I struggle with compulsive eating but I AM working on that problem now. Bob
Your probably okay, just imagine what your mobility level for example might have been if you had not had surgery.
The dentures issue and not being able to eat much that will "hang around" in your pouch will be a tough one. The only other option might be eating grapefruit, and knowing that that might not be fully chewed. I don't think fiber supplements provide the weight loss effect like real fiber filled food does.
The dentures issue and not being able to eat much that will "hang around" in your pouch will be a tough one. The only other option might be eating grapefruit, and knowing that that might not be fully chewed. I don't think fiber supplements provide the weight loss effect like real fiber filled food does.
Hey Bob I am glad you can keep fighting the fight. Shows a solid core in you.
I am currently fighting old habits. I can eat more and I know I can get away with eating a few office candies and a nightcap at night. Neither do I need. Neither should I have but I can not seem to stop. Both of which I do because of emotional reasons. It sucks. I do not want to go back where I was and I know these eating habits are what got me there. Some how I gotta break the cycle.
I wish I had hit more of my emotional issues before surgery. But I faced a lot of them. Just not all. Food and now alcohol is comfort. Right now not out of control but I can see it easily getting there. Well the sweets is not exactly in control.
I am currently fighting old habits. I can eat more and I know I can get away with eating a few office candies and a nightcap at night. Neither do I need. Neither should I have but I can not seem to stop. Both of which I do because of emotional reasons. It sucks. I do not want to go back where I was and I know these eating habits are what got me there. Some how I gotta break the cycle.
I wish I had hit more of my emotional issues before surgery. But I faced a lot of them. Just not all. Food and now alcohol is comfort. Right now not out of control but I can see it easily getting there. Well the sweets is not exactly in control.
My response to NotDave regarding eating fiber is that I can finely chop vegetables--whether by hand or with a food processor or chopper. Mixing that with a SF FF vegetable dressing should give me a good mix of fiber from complex carbohydrates. HOWEVER, I don't think my problem is with how full I am with my pouch. I always have cooked vegetables with dinner and I usually have salad before it. I always have a banana with my breakfast. I Believe the problem is a long term compulsive habit that I've had at least for 40 years. I was probably a compulsive eater as a kid, but I was very active. And, I was thin. I weighted 165 when I graduated HS and 175 when I graduated from college in 1972. I used to run a lot, play basketball with my friends, and bicycle a lot. At the time, running on a daily basis and bycycling around 30 miles per day were not common. My activity level plummeted when I got married.
My response to mctready is that I do have an awareness that I am a compulsive eater. I hesitate to say that I am a compulsive overeater since I simply cannot overeat during my meals. I do see my compulsive eating as a means of burying emotions. I mentioned the other day that I am reading a book about compulsive eating called "you can't quit until you know what's eating you" by Donna LeBlanc who is a clinical psychologist and a former compulsive eater. It was first published in 1990. I don't know if it's still in print. I am using exercises in that book along with writing in a notebook to find out what is eating me.
If you are a compulsive eater, you will find that you are often eating before you are even aware of it. And, the thrill you get from the first few bites is soon gone but you continue to eat the trigger foods. Dr. LeBlanc has exercises for truly experiencing what you are eating wherein you can enjoy "forbidden" foods and eventually cut down on eating them without feeling deprivation.
My response to mctready is that I do have an awareness that I am a compulsive eater. I hesitate to say that I am a compulsive overeater since I simply cannot overeat during my meals. I do see my compulsive eating as a means of burying emotions. I mentioned the other day that I am reading a book about compulsive eating called "you can't quit until you know what's eating you" by Donna LeBlanc who is a clinical psychologist and a former compulsive eater. It was first published in 1990. I don't know if it's still in print. I am using exercises in that book along with writing in a notebook to find out what is eating me.
If you are a compulsive eater, you will find that you are often eating before you are even aware of it. And, the thrill you get from the first few bites is soon gone but you continue to eat the trigger foods. Dr. LeBlanc has exercises for truly experiencing what you are eating wherein you can enjoy "forbidden" foods and eventually cut down on eating them without feeling deprivation.
Most Active
Recent Topics
