PSYCHOLOGICALLY SPEAKING...

First of all, I want to thank those of you wonderful December Crew Family, who helped me out with my Psychological WLS Survey for my class. I got an "A", and just wanted to update you on my progress. It was the first 1/2 of my Doctoral Dissertation, and yes, I will be revisiting you guys again, so anyone else who would like to participate, you'll have a chance to do so. I will revisit the December 04' Crew over an 18 month period, just a few of you, as part of my study, and will thank you, continually, for all your love and support, and will share my Dissertation with you, upon completion over the next 1 year! THANKS TO EACH OF YOU AGAIN. Basically, my Dissertation focuses on a very important issues. As you know, each of us underwent a mandatory Psychological Evaluation, required by our HMO's and PPO's, prior to being approved for WLS. As such, my dissertation defends the fact that such 'screening' alone does nothing to prepare us for the psychological changes we experiences AFTER WLS. An example, is what I personally suffered over the past 2 months, in which I shared with you guys the fact that I became a bit depressed, not fully understanding how to deal with issues of self-perception, after loosing a great deal of weight, over such a short period of time. Yes, I am grateful, as we all are, however, to mentally match my physical changes, with any psychological changes that occured, as a result... left me stumpped. My PCP perscribed 'mind meds', but after 1-2 pills, I dumped that option, and decided to research the issue, which in itself, allowed me the opportunity to diagnose my own psychosis. Ahhh, there's the rub, right? So far, I feel wonderful, have accepted the new me, and am continually working on understanding issues of Depression after WLS, (in my case very lite depression, but an issue for me, none the less). Many of us don't discuss it, but it helps to 'open up about it', in an effort to help our fellow members. Well, to date... not only do I feel better, I know the causes, effects and treatments available, outside of perscriptions. I am sure many of us have suffered, greatly or less greatly, or on some small level, however, not knowing that is it 'ok', or an 'expected' part of after surgery, only lends to the progression of what is called 'The Honeymoon Period'. This period is nothing compared to what some people suffer, and being told about this period ALONE, does nothing to prepare us for what can, or may follow. Issues of self-perception is a big deal, when you were once over 300lbs, and now under 200, in 7 months flat! That is commendable, however... when you hear it from others, see it on the scale, and in the change in your clothes size, it may not prove to be enough for your psychological existance, which sometimes needs more 'confirmation' than a 'pat on the back' from family and loved ones, or a 'thumbs up' from friends and co-workers. Such confirmation can come from continued education, continued evaluation, ongoing psychological sessions, and/or group sessions, and/or treatments, if necessary. Until we are comfortable with who we are, no matter who tells us 'who we are', we can't see 'who we are'. I hope you can understand where I am coming from. No matter if you haven't experienced changes in your psychi, at some poing, you will, (if you haven't already), step back from the mirror and say 'is this really me'? I know I have, and it has bothered me, until now, and I had to educate myself, beyond the 'bits and pieces' gained from OB members, my PCP, and/or Group members, which is WONDERFUL THERAPHY, but sometimes, more 'hands on experience' is necessary, to be able to face the fact that it is really 'ok' to be this new butterfly, while still knowing that that 'fat girl' won't every come back again. Best wishes to each of you as we progress in this journey. We need each other support, more than we know, because loosing is about more than weight, it is about loosing a part of us that was with us for so, so many years... and like grieving, having food was a big part of 'comfort', and not having that 'comfort' takes a toll on our grieving process. We find new ways to grieve... as we discover each day the new person that has been born, for our betterment! Love you all! Dr. Vera Davis.... PhD (2007) Thanks again for listening, and I look forward to responses on this issue at any level. Thanks again for your support, as I pray it will continue, in honesty. Vera, Crew Encourager 343/238/? -105 12/20/05 30/32 - 18/20 - ?

Vera, You are so awsome and I love having you as my freind. What you are doing is something that is very neccessary, and needed. What we all went through is very dramatic and dangerous. Having a sound mind is very helpful in your success in your journey to your goal. The mind plays many tricks on us and I am sure you are going to be very helpful when this happens. Keep up the good work ok? I love you and God blessed me with your freindship and I thank him everyday! I have lost 184lbs and I am coming up on breaking the 300lb mark and I feel great (not depressed at all) and I am sticking to my program. Have a great day and I will be here for you to study me ok? Oh yea,,is it very cold in New York in December?..lol.lol..I will keep you posted. Love you and God bless.

Hello Dr. Vera, I am new to this board and have just read your posting. I had surgery Dec. 16, 2004 and I have lost so far 95 pounds. I do agree with you about the mental help we do not receive for this surgery. I did not have to undergo a psych exam, my insurance no longer requires it for the surgery. I had spent years prior to the surgery working through the emotional issues that lead to my obesity. If I had not done that I would be a complete wreck right now. I feel that we all did not get here because of happy times, but because we all have had emotional issues that were treated by our overeating and excessive indulgence instead of facing and dealing with the issues. In a couple of my support group meetings I have met some wonderful people who have lost an amazing amount of weight that hate themselves now. They do not recognize who they are, they have lost all their old friends because of their changes and they don't seem to be happy in their "new" skin. It's really sad to me to go through this life changing process to only end up on medications to help you handle the new you. The ball has been dropped with the aftercare for many people. We will all go through some form of depression from the simple fact that hormones are stored in our fat cells and the more we lose and the faster it comes off the more hormones are released in our system that we need to deal with. For many of us, the reasons we over ate start to show up the more we lose weight, if you haven't dealt with that reason before now it will be a hard one to handle because the crutch of eating has been taken away. I have had several blue days since the surgery, but not like what some of the others have experienced and for that I am grateful. I do have a strong support system in place and knew going into this surgery that overeating was no longer an option and off my list for emotional handling of a situation. I love the saying my daughter has for me, she tells me "mom, your face is coming into focus." I tell her that not only my face, but my life is becoming clearer each day and with each pound lost. I wish you the best with the final years of your schooling and hopefully you will be able to help the ones out there who need the support after the WLS happens. Blessings, Becky L.