I came on here to po...

I just took mine last week. Mine was just one visit and then a call back to tell me that I was recommended for the surgery. First there was an interview session with the usual questions. How would I handle certain situations, etc. with reasonable actions or with violence, that kind of stuff. Then I had to take a T & F test of 400 questions. That's not a typo - 400 idiotic questions. (1/2 way through it, I suspected the actual answers may not matter at all but maybe they are timing me to see if I can make decisions) Things like - I blame others when I'm irritable and upset. I said to her - this implies that I am irritable and upset no matter whether I mark T or F, she shrugged her shoulders. Or - I appreciate mechanic magazines. I said to her - I don't read mechanic magazines myself but I appreciate that they are available for others. She shrugged her shoulders. and lots of questions with double and triple negatives, so I wasn't sure what my T or F answer meant. There were questions that didn't apply to my life at all but yet I had to pick an answer. It was just an uneventful, $300 experience for me.

Stacy - The pshychiatrist is not there to get rid of you. They are there to ultimately protect you. It is in your best interest to be honest and forthright. I can't really say what you should better than Rob. He was on the money and articulate. I think you need to realize that if there is a red flag, they want to be sure you know about and are dealing with it. I want you to know that I came into this with a pretty big "red flag." I suffer from disabling clinical depression. Considering this life change, I'm a higher risk patient "in this area" than many others. Of course, I let them know all about my history of clinical depression, what seems to make it worse, what my expectations are, how I expect to manage depression that may occur when I lose my "friend ... food" and have to learn new ways to manage my feelings besides comfort eating. When I had my meeting with the physchiatrist I didn't feel like I was under a microscope. I felt like I was there to lay all my cards on the table, let them know how I planned "mitigate" the possible problems that might arrise and ask for their suggestions as to any additional avenues of support I might find. Of course, I also wanted the physchitrist to talk to my counselor and my psychiatrist. I don't want to risk my health in one area to help it in another. I want to find a balanced way to try to improve my health in all areas of my life. I filled out a questionaire before I came in to see the Dr. Again, I just answered honestly ... nothing seemed like anyone was trying to trip me up. The Dr. wanted to know if I were to discribe to a friend who knew nothing about WLS how would I describe what I was about to do. I gave her the same answer I gave a friend of mine who was concerned about my choice ... I believe she just wanted to know if I was cognizant of seriousness of what I'm doing. The high-level technical overview of what will occur. And finally the changes that will undoubtedly follow ... good and bad. Please do not be afraid of any of the "tests" or healthcare providers you come in contact with. They are there to help you have the very best outcome you can have. Remember that you are in essence hiring the Dr. for their honest evaluation of your abililty to successfully make the arduous journey you are about to embark on. They are not there to throw roadblocks in your way. They are there to protect and counsel you. ... sometimes even when we don't know that we need it. The overwhelming likelyhood is that you will fall within the "norms." And if you don't for some reason ... like me that doesn't mean you necessarilly have to wait longer or will not be approved. The wanted to be sure that I had a plan and the support I would need to make the transitions as successfully as possible. I appreciated the input and I put it to use. So ... before you see the psychiatrist, think about the kind of support "you" are looking for ... Do you have questions you want to ask them? I sure did and actually I think it probably made my Dr. more comfortable, not less ... She realized that I am aware of areas of weakness for me and that I'm taking steps to take care of myself. If it makes you feel better, you might like to know that I've made it through the medical review and my information has now been submitted for insurance approval. Take Robs advice. Be yourself. No Coaching!!! ... Not only could raise red flags, but then you'll be robbing yourself of the value of having a professional help you make this transition in your life. Trust that they are here to help you, not stop you. All the best, Barb You will do just fine!