Question:
The psychologist was very concerned because I eat a lot of sweets
I eat out of boredom. She wants to see me again to make sure I have cut down on sweets and that I have found something to keep me busy when I am bored. Could her report to the insurance comapny cause me to be denied for surgery? — Molly H. (posted on February 24, 2002)
February 24, 2002
I am wondering if anyone who has gone through this life altering surgery,
who obviously has tried all else and failed, who probably ate sweets day
and night and more than likely didn't do it out of hunger, I wonder if they
were also eating because of boredom? My point is...you are NOT ALONE!!! Of
course you eat alot of sweets. You have a food addiction and that is why
you are going through all this to begin with! I wonder if that psychiatrist
is knowledgeable about WLS and the reasons for a person absolutely needing
it in the first place! I am disturbed by the fact that she wants to see you
again to make sure you are cutting back on your sweets. Goodness, if it was
so easy for you then you wouldn't have gone to see the Dr. in the first
place! First, don't go crazy or beat yourself up, I would look for another
therapist who understands WLS and the fact that it is emotional eating that
got us here in the first place. From what I understand, a psych. visit
pr-op is to make sure that you are prepared emotionally for the after
effects of having this surgery. You won't be able to physically eat sweets
the way you do now afterwards, and they should be counseling you about
that, not putting this pressure on you now in order for you to have the
surgery! Maybe it's me, but this doesn't make sense. When you do go back,
if you do, then ask if this will affect you getting approved. I can't
imagine it will, I mean by now the insurance companies have to have an idea
that it is people who eat too much, by no fault of their own,(because of
course morbid obesity is a disease and nobody would want to be that
way!)that NEED to have the surgery. Anyway, find out more and move forward,
be your own advocate and don't put this added pressure on yourself! Best of
luck to you on your journey for a new and healthy life...
— Vicki K.
February 24, 2002
Jeepers. Before surgery, I would've eaten everything in the room,
including the psychologist! When will "they" learn that if we
could've changed on our own, we would have done it already. Grrrr!
— Nancy G.
February 24, 2002
Is this therapist someone your ins recommended? You might ask your
surgeon's office if they have one they use. I could go to anyone but the
surgeon did have a therapist used to dealing with pre-wls patients. As for
boredom eating, well duh lol, most of us don't get 100 lbs overweight or
more because of true hunger... Her idea of looking for another hobby isn't
a bad one though, coupled with the wls. I also find, personally, as I lose
more weight I feel more energetic, less wanting to sit around eating more
wanting to up and doing. Good luck
— Becky K.
February 24, 2002
The surgery would help the sweet eating, especially if you're going to have
the RNY. Most all of us
are sweet eaters -- I certainly wouldn't think you'd be
denied for that reason. And she wants you to come back just
to see if you've been doing something else other than eating
sweets when you're bored? sounds like she'd drumming up business to me.
— [Anonymous]
February 24, 2002
My Dr has his patients prove they can follow the aftercare diet by keeping
a journal for 6 weeks and a goal of weight to lose. He does this so that
you understand what you will have to live with forever and can complie
without doing something dangerous that can injure your pouch. I also was
addicted to sweets and pepsi but since the surgery I don't have a taste for
them. I have tested it and don't seem to dump but they just don't taste as
good anymore. I hope that lasts.
— Candace F.
February 24, 2002
My insurance has you jump through all kinds of hoops...including going to
the psyche evail. with the dr. the surgeon wants. I wasn't asked anything
about my eating habits (I'm going for a revision from a VBG with an
oversized pouch to a RNY)...all she did was have me fill out 4 different
questionaire 'quizzes' and asked me about my childhood...then shot me
down!! She wants me to have 6 months of therapy, and a another evaluation
with her!! The worst part about it is, YES we all have some sort of
'disorder'...I USED to be a complusive overeater...now, I eat like a
toddler, and have gained back almost half the weight I'd lost (over 12
years)I have a screwed up metabolism, and want it 'fixed' by getting the
surgery I should have had over a decade ago!...and this woman, after only
meeting with me once can literally control MY destiny!! Spooky, huh?
— saxon1014
Click Here to Return