Southern Surgical Patients

I have my Psych eval on 5-15-09 with Dr.Albrecht.  Just wanted to know if anyone else had been to this Dr. for Psych eval and how it was.

I'm a Southern Surgical patient (love, love, love me some Dr. Mac). I can't for the life of me remember who they sent me to for my psych evaluation - but it was whoever they used at the time. I was there for a little over an hour. Had to fill out a pretty long questionaire to begin with then we discussed some of the topics that it covered - relationships, depression, emotional eating, past diet attempts and those type things.

I know the doc I saw was a female. I remember her asking me how I was going to feel after I'd lost my weight and I had "bat wings". I'd never heard flappy arms called that before and thought it was hilarious. I told her I'd wear them like a badge of honor.
 
All in all it was painless. (ha ha!!) Let us know how it goes for you. Good Luck!!!

- Iris

Hi. I am a southern surgical patient and the person I saw at my psych evaluation was Lisa Driver. She is a gastric bypass patient herself. I have no idea who the Dr is you are going to se but if they have sent you to him then he must be a good dr. Good luck with the appointment. It will be fine. :)

 

                                                                   Emelinda

I had my surgery with dr Naziri in Feb. I saw Dr. Albrecht it was easy just 20 mins. of answering questions.
Nothing to be worried about.

sarah

My surgeon is Dr. Nazari  and I see Dr, Jenny Williams the end of May. All my other apts are in March. Guess their are a lot of us needing our heads examined!

I am with the Brody School of Medicine and I was sent to Jennifer Williams.  BEWARE!!!  I dubbed her the "Diet Nazi"!!!!  I thought she was just going to evaluate me to see if I was a relatively intelligent, stable person who understood the seriousness of the procedure and the potential complications as well as comprehend that life would be different after surgery.  That was only a small part of it.  My psych eval was scheduled very early on among my appointments, long before I had a date, and long before I was told I might have surgery.  So, when I got to that appointment I wasn't really prepared.  She asked me if I'd made all the required lifestyle changes, which she rattled off so quickly my head was spinning.  I wasn't even aware of some of the lifestyle change requirements at that point!!  And since I was just getting started I hadn't made any big changes at that point yet.  So I made some notes based on the long laundry list of lifestyle changes she was requiring.  Then she told me she wanted me to come back to her in one month with a food diary, weight diary, and exercise diary along with a list of all the lifestyle changes I'd made.  So, basically, I flunked my first appointment and had to go back for a second appointment.  After a month I brought back all the documentation she required and she was pleased.  So, if you're going to Jennifer Williams, be prepared or she will chew you up, spit you out, and make you come back.

Thanks for the heads up Meredith!

Meredith,

As I read your post, I could understand the frustration and confusion with what happened in your psych appointment.  I am the licensed therapist who is given the privilege to provide the psych evaluations at Nash Surgical.  As a 10 year post op myself (I was 282 pounds at my highest and lost 130 pounds and have kept it off) I come at this part of the process very differently.  I've been where you are and know the emotions associated with this decision.  I know how our lives are wrought with overcompensating, negative responses, being invisible and judged when we are some of the coolest, smartest and overachieving people around.  Yet, our obesity has us been judged, stigmatized and are always on our guard.  We tend to use food as our "drug of choice" and our "comfort".  When you come to see someone like me, it is to ensure your emotional preparedness for weight loss surgery.  While each one of us (those that perform the psychological evaluation) has a different style, we are only ensuring emotional preparedness.  As part of my program, you will always return to me for a second pre op visit to process your "emotional toolbox homework" and there is a strongly recommended relapse prevention and aftercare sessions during the first year post op.  Remember, the surgery doesn't give you the innate knowledge of what to do after surgery.  It has to be learned and processed.    It is only to provide each one of you with the emotional tools to ensure your success.  Trust me, I have all the knowledge and have been post op for a decade, I still struggle at times, but I just open my "emotional toolbox" and use the tool to get me through the situation I am dealing with.  Don't be too hard on her, I can only assume she wants you to be as successful as you are meant to be.  Congrats on your decision and if you want to reach me or process any part of the weight loss surgery process...my website is www.BEtheNEWyou.com and my email is [email protected]

Lisa

Point well taken, Lisa.  Thank you so much for your thoughtful response.  I guess if Jennifer had been more encouraging and less punitive I would have come away with more positive feelings.  One thing I am very grateful to Jennifer about is telling me about this web site!!!!

Connie,  I hate to say this, but I'm right there with Meredith.  I had the same experience.  My psych eval was on 1/15...long before I got my insurance approval and date.  I was still figuring out what I wanted to do.  On my first psych visit, I was like a deer in the headlights.  She was looking for "compliance".  She wanted to know if I was following the "DIET".  My nut visit was also on 1/15 so I had not idea I was supposed to be following a "DIET".  I was still waiting for someone to tell me this is when it all begins.  What I did not realize is that I was supposed to be exercising, cutting out all fried foods, junk foods, carbonated drinks, sugar, and eating smaller portions.  I was supposed to be living a healther lifestyle to prepare for surgery and beyond.  I had not done any of these things.  She assured me this was all explained in the seminar.  I assured her that I had not heard any of that.  For whatever reason...denial...defiance...or I just did not get it, I was not doing what I needed to do to be "compliant" in her opinion.  Therefore, she would not "PASS" me for surgery.  She gave me 3 weeks.  Well that was my wake up call.  I took notes like Meredith and did everything she said I was supposed to be doing.  When I went back, I had a plan.  I made changes and kept a food/excercise diary.  I had also lost 15 lbs.  She considered me"compliant" gave me a thumbs up and I had my date within 3 weeks after that.  She gave me the "KICK IN THE HEAD" I needed to get my butt in gear.  So, get our your packets of info and read them carefully.  These are the things I suggest:

1.  cut down on portions
2.  start eating on a smaller plate
3.  start eating lean protein at every meal
4.  keep a diary of everything you eat
5.  exercise regularly and keep a record of it
6.  give up junk food, fried food, and carbonated drinks
7.  start drinking 64 ounces of water (crystal light, green tea) a day 
8.  chew food at least 30 times before swallowing
9.  put your fork down between each bite
10.  take at least 30 minutes to eat
11.  take a multivitamin (flinstones chewable for now)

She will ask you all of this...so it's a good idea to get started.  She will love you for it and you will PASS with flying colors.  Also, you will get your surgery date quicker because you will not have to wait a month to see her again. 

Sorry for the long post, but I hope it helps.