May be too crazy for WLS!

Thanks Jaimee I did need a hug. I appreciate the encouragement. Hugs back at cha Christine

Christine, Dr. Stote was THE reason I included a cover letter with my insurance package. He had asked if I smoked. I said yes, but was on the patch to quit. He asked what I thought about group counseling. I told him I thought they were stupid..that some people may get benefits from them, but I don't see myself getting anything from them because I'm not the type of person to open up in a group setting, but that I had been going to the ones St. V's had...and no, wasn't getting anything out of them either. He asked if I ever drank. Well, hell! We owned a bar at the time...and not to mention I was pre-op! I was honest and said I had 1 or 2 strawberry daqari wine coolers usually at the end of my bartending on Sunday night's, but that was it. His report? I HAD to quit smoking (didn't I say I was in the process of doing that??). He said I should be REQUIRED to go to at least 2 group sessions pre-op and at least 2 post-op (didn't I say I was going to them???). He said I MUST give up my DRINKING HABIT (1-2 wine coolers a week is a drinking habit????). I did clarify all of this BS in my cover letter. Must have done the trick. The insurance did state for me to continue not smoking for a minimum of 6 months post-op (It'll be 2 years Monday since I quit). That was the only stipulation they made on any of the three comments. He did ask me about abuse, etc as well. My dad (my biological father, not my step-father..who I refer to as my 'dad' on here..the one who also had WLS) was an alcoholic and spouse abuser. I was also raped when I was 12 by my (then) brother-in-law. I went through alot of BS that it's taken me alot of years to get over...much of it starting in the home as a child. Did I get into this with that idiot? Nope. I was honest about my dad's drinking but acted very much with the attitude of 'that was then, this is now'. The rape and other bs? About 10 years ago, I went to a therapist to help me with those issues, and she did help me. It simply was none of his business as far as I'm concerned. I had been overweight since I was 2. None of that was the reason I was overweight. In fact, me being overweight is what was usually the focus of the cruel statements that I endured growing up. Maybe that's why I didn't have to fill out his long questionaire thing. I didn't know he had a long one till your post. St. V's does pride themselves on taking care of the entire person when it comes to obesity. He might would suggest some counsuling. I would be very surprised however if he recommended your not having the surgery at all. I think what 'they' find though is that people who have emotional problems (and I am NOT saying that you do..ok?) often come into the surgery thinking that everything in their life with be peachy once they lose the weight. So they have the surgery and these problems are still there and they go though an emotional crash. If they can help a person take care of the emotional issues while they are losing the weight, they will end of alot happier when they reach their weight goals. It's just like people who have babies to help their marriage. That is one of the dumbest ideas I think anyone can ever have. Babies puts stress in your life and if your marriage is unstable pre-kid, it will only get worse post. Cheer up! When you get his letter, just be prepared to write a cover letter. I'll be happy to help you out when you get to that stage. Sherri

Sherri Thanks so much for putting so much time and thought into your reply. I didnt think it through real well or I would have lied my butt off, well that would take alot of lying but anyway I would have lied. I feel better kinda and I am not worrying about it. If I get approved great and if not well I will figure something else out. I don't have the opportunity to write a cover letter since I dont send a packet to the insurance (Im Medicare). Anyway I am still looking forward to surgery. He said that the team would review it Thursday (22nd) and should know something Friday. I guess that "the team" is Dr Jones, Stote and who knows else. I think I will call Friday or maybe I will wait to hear from them. Thanks again for the support (all of you guys!!!) Hugs Christine

I also though Dr. Stote was just a little off kilter. He was like reaching for straws with me on issues I could have. I answered the questions honestly but didn't volunteer any more information. I think that is what helped me. I didn't have to do the survey thing that you had to...I probably would have gone crazy as I hate tests. Good luck and definately write a cover letter if you disagree with anything being said. Sherri was a great help when I worked on mine. Besides...what fun is sanity!! Sam

Yep Sam, Hes off kilter all right. I just hope he lets me slide on through! Thanks for the support, you soon to be loser you! Hugs Christine

Christine, I had to laugh at everyone's responses to you!! I am a therapist (NOT a psychologist though!) and I've always said (even before I was a therapist) that some of the strangest people I've ever met were psychologists/psychiatrists. Now that I'm in the business I am sure of that! I wouldn't worry about what happened. Some just like to make something major out of nothing. I've always said that on any day each person could be diagnosed with about five different things!!! More on a bad day!! LOL. I had to go through an MMPI and the ink blot test myself the other day. There's nothing worse than a therapist being "therapized" by another one! I did it with someone I knew and was panicked about that! Then I thought, what the heck, we're all a bit nuts so let the games begin!! Again, don't worry about it. If you have to do a cover letter do one. Its out of your hands at this point. Don't lose sleep over it! Take care. Anna

I am a psychology major hehehehe But my therapist asked me the same questions. I did NOT go to Dr. Stote, as I had heard some people thought he was a wierdo, and besides all that, if I got a therapist on my own through my insurance it was free, Dr. Weirdo was $150 up front. Lets see, free vs $150.... free wins! My therapist was actually a PATIENT of St. V, but it seems she gained some of her weight back (eek!), so I was afriad she was going to not reccomend it because she had gained weight back. She asked me all the same things, same thing on the father here, and it was my cousin not my brother in law. I was actually already seeing a different psychologist for compulsive eating when I started my superviesed weight loss, so I don't know if that helped or not. Point is, I am pretty whacky myself (its been diagnosed even lol) and I still got approved. They mostly wanted to see that I had no delusions about the surgery and that I knew that because of my starting weight (I was 380 back then) I would most likely still be overweight even after surgery, and also that I understood that the surgery meant MAJOR life style changes. You should be fine!

Thanks for the encouragement, Darrah, Hey you are looking great by the way. I saw a picture of you at a clothing exchange. I dont know if you were pre op or just soon after surgery but I wouldnt have recognized you (or Dan) if the pics didnt have your name one them! You go girl! BLessings Christine

Hi Anna, Thanks for you reply. I think everyone now must have to take the 485 question test, for lack of a better name its not the MMPI but something like it. When I was there for my consult there were two ladies taking it, and then on my consult day me and another gal were taking it, and when I came out of my meeting with the psych guy two others were taking it. Anyway that test wasnt a problem it was the way the Phd made me feel. I think he just gets way to in to his position at least thats what I hope it is. Anyway I am taking you advice and not losing any (more) sleep over it. Blessings Christine