Pysco Psych Eval

Ok, so I went and got my psych eval done a couple weeks ago. I already posted about this experience....long story short I didnt know I chose a psychologist who was also a nutritionist. He proceeded to tell me about how he could work with me and how bad surgery was after my test. I went back today to get my letter of approval from him. After looking at the care folder my surgeons office gave me, he tells me how wrong the stuff they want me to eat is. He tells me Splenda causes brain tumors, and the vitamins they are suggesting are synthetic. He goes on to tell me how he wants me to give him 6 months to work with me to get the weight off so I dont have to "resort" to surgery. He gives me a bunch of pamflets on vitamins and things and wants to schedule another appointment. I tell him this is something I need to think about and will contact him when I make a decision. I really wanted to tell him a lot of other things, but since I had my letter for surgery I just wanted to get out of there. I was really hoping I would have found a good psychologist to help me through this process, someone I could go to again if I felt I needed it, which by the way he says he wanted me to follow up with him in the letter to my insurance company. Sorry for the rant, just disappointed and wanted to get it off my chest, which I hope will be getting smaller in the weeks to come

Dear Jami, First, it was "Equal" that was "SUPPOSE" to cause Brain Tumors- however, the New England Journal of Medicine and MSNBC.com recently posted information stating you would have to eat about a 10 foot by 10 foot square room full of Equal to even come close to getting a brain tumor. That's a helluva lot of Equal. You can get vitamins that are NOT synthetic also on the market...you just have to look. If he is a Psychiatrist, he is not the one to put you or anyone on a diet. ((NOTE: to cover my hiney and not get my non male nuts into a bind, please read the post on the top of this board about medical advice!)) However, now that you are OUT of there -- Girl---follow your heart and dreams and go for what YOU want to get not what anyone else wants. I recommend that you vent all you want and you did good to do what you did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus, you can email me anytime and vent more if you so choose! Heck, we can rant and vent and both feel better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I applaud you for doing what you did, getting what you needed and getting the heck out of dodge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU GO GIRL Stacey

Thanks Stacey! I appreciate it and will take you up on your offer!

Hi there: That sounds like a big scam! Is he a registered dietician? I'll bet not! Why would he do both? He sounds like a counselor that sells nutritional supplements! Anyway, we all know we could eventually get a good chunk of weight off - I have lost 90 pounds several times. I have also GAINED 90 pounds back, and had to deal with the emotional trauma and self-hatred accompanying that. FACT: MO's have a 2-5% chance of keeping off the weight they lose! There are too many hormonal, psychological and chemical issues that want us to gain that weight back. The National Institute of Health states that bariatric surgery is the most effective tool for taking weight off and maintaining it too. I would've laughed my way out of that guy's office. Julie

One of the things I have learned being overweight is sometimes we roll over and let people push us around and take advantage of us... You did a GREAT job of standing up for yourself and not being sucked into something you may one day regret. We have all done the diets, pills, and vitamins, now it's time to decide we don't have 10 or more years to waste, "trying" everybodys pitiful diet tricks Sorry to vent on your page but I am proud for you being able to stand on your decision and not let this quack intimidate you! God Bless Sharmie

Thanks Sharmie!! I would have loved to "stood up" a little better to him but thought why bother. Him not getting anymore of my money or insurance money is good enough LOL

He knew my mind was made up and continued to try to get me to work with him, like he was going to change 34 years worth of dieting in 6 months. I also was mad that he put that I needed ongoing counseling in the letter to my insurance company. Not that I am against it, but won't be getting it from his sorry behind...

Hi Jami, I'm sorry that you got the one doctor in THE WORLD that is probably not educated in the facts of WLS. Just kidding, I know there are lots of Doctors out there that are clueless. I second the opinion that we could all take off chucks of weight if we buckled down and dieted like crazy. Then we WILL gain it all back. Plus some. I hope that you keep looking for quality emotional support through your transformation. It's the nicest thing you can do for yourself next to saving your life with the surgery. Best wishes to you. You did great walking out with your letter and not looking back. Don't let this slow you down! Best wishes, Kim

Thank you so much Kim, everyones posts just confirm that there are other people out there who understand what I am going through!

I learned a long time ago when I was in college for dietetics, a nutritionist is not the same as a dietician. A dietician requires a B.S. degree in nutrition and to be a R.D. (registered dietician) you must pass an extensive test. A nutritionist is a title anyone can give themselves. There are a lot of quacks out there calling themselves nutritionists, I'm sorry you ran into one of them.