Is It Really a Recommendation or a Requirement???

Hellooo everyone,,, so I have to ask this.. When the psych stated his recommendations, he gave me like 5 one on one with a counselor, and 3 support groups.. I'm all for the support groups.. I'll do those,, no biggie.. I've already done one! But do I have to pay all this money for a 1on1 with a personal counselor??? Is it a recommendations or is a requirement??? Just wanting to know.. Can I say I'll do your support groups meetings,, but I won't do the 1on1's.... Is that possible??? Just wanna know trying not to spend money, I just don't have... Heather

I had the really weird nut at St V. He reccommended I do the support group at least once before surgery. I didnt do it...no one ever checked or even asked if I did it. I had my surgery and still have not ever went to a St V support group or ever showed the proof of attending one. Yours maybe different with having to have the one on ones. Why not just call your drs office and ask them. Explain the sittuation. Im sure if u are willing to do the support groups and u tell them that ...they might agree to that. ME

Have you been approved thru you insurance already? If you haven't they may use that as a condition not to approve you. If you already have insurance approval I'd do like Pam says and talk it over with the suargeon.

Heather, it is almost a year for me now, and I will be very up front. If the counselor recomended it I would get the apts , one for insurance and two for you..There have been times since I have had my surgery that times are hard to deal with somethings. I still have issues that I had before my surgery, I didn't not tell the counselor because I was afraid he would say I couldn't have the surgery. You must of been honest and I wished I had. My problems aren't big, but the habits of eating are. I still strugle with eating when I am stressed out.... The group meeting are good because you learn so much about the surgery and what to exspect. before and after. I learned alot from the meetings and I had to wait a long time before my surgery because I fought with my insurance. So go to the apt. and the wls support groups, the time will fly and you will learn something. I hope you luck in your chocies, you don't want to have the surgery and then maybe gain the weight back or find some other way to deal with issues like drinking ect. Lisa B

Heather, If the doctor recommended the 1 on 1's, you should go. There are always a lot of reasons behind our weight issues and they are rarely based solely (if at all) on a love of food or lack of willpower. There tend to be very strong emotional reasons at the base of our weight issues. This surgery is not a cure for those. It is only a tool to help you lose the weight. If you don't deal with your underlying issues, the surgery can't force you to keep the weight off permanently. Only lifestyle changes based on mindset changes can do that. Take every opportunity available to you in order to make your long term success an achievable goal. Good luck to you. Cindy