Advice from a Post-Op

I know, I know...they all say it. Find someone to talk to throughout your weight loss, etc. I never felt I need a "shrink" while I was shrinking. Let me tell you, now at almost 2 years post-op I am paying for it dearly. I am having to back track and start where I could have started, mentally, 2 years ago. Just wanted to say for all those who think they don't need it, truly do some soul searching before you decide to avoid this step of the process.

That's good advice Van. As part of the after care, Henry Ford offers free support group meeting's twice a month. The first one is with our nutritionist. The second one is with the "shrink"... We meet with her on Tuesday. Yes I'm going. God bless you, Annette

Vanessa, I was required to see a therapist per the psych Dr when I went to my eval. She has been awesome. I pretty much knew going into the eval that he would ask that of me. I set up 4 visits before my surgery and 6 visits after. I got lucky to find a therapist who is quite supportive of wls but also makes me think about the reasons I react or do certain things. I have yet to see her since my surgery. My first visit will be next week. Everything we discuss is related to my weight or weightloss. We talk about the past, present and future. I seen where some people where mad that they had to continue therapy as a requirement to surgery. Way I see it, it will only help me Good advice btw Megan

This is really good advice. I started seeing my therapist a year before surgery and see her still. I don't think I could have done this without her. Fran

I have to say I would not have made it through this process without the greatest support of all and that actually has not been anyone in my family, instead it has been my therapist, Dr Daniel Stettner. I commend you Vanessa for taking the steps to go and see someone to talk to. This forum is a great support but it does not take the place of the one on one advice and time spent with my therapist. Even support group doesn't cover the issues I may be experiencing and I may not want to bring those issues up in public. I think it really should be required of the docs who are doing surgery to make referrals to a therapist to deal with the many issues that we face after our life changing events start to unfold. Congrats to you Van and thank you for sharing. Jill