Echo

I had my echo done today and it went well. I had the same tech as I had last year for the echo. She asked me why I hadn't had surgery yet and I had to explain how I let my hubby talk me out of it. She was really nice and made me feel at ease. She said it would be read tomorrow and should be to the cardiologist by Friday. So, I will have it sent to the surgeon too. Now I only have my psych eval left to do and  I am just a bit nervous about it. What if I don't pass it? Then what? What do they ask? I have so many questions....
Emily

Hi, Emily.
Don't stress over the psych. evaluation. The guy/gal will just want to know if you have any issues that could be detrimental, like major depression, suicide notions, lack of support from family, major marital problems, unreasonable expectations for the surgery (like, "I'd better lose 100 lbs. in 2 months. My long-term goal is 90 lbs., and if I don't reach it, I'll kill myself"). The questions will center around those issues and how you see yourself, your health, your future, etc.
Just be yourself--which is, hopefully positive and forward-looking.
Blessings,
Mary

Thanks Mary. I am not too worried about. I was told by a friend who went to the same psych that I would have to take the MMPI standardized test. I have taken that before and I guess I did okay on it.
Emily

Emily, I just completed my psych eval and I was nervous about it also. If yours is like mine, they will ask you a bunch of questions about your life: work history, health history, psychiatric history, medication history, family situation.  They will inquire about any history of drug/alcohol addiction and if you have any big stresses in your life right now.  Just FYI: this is not the time to unload about difficulties in your relationships, etc.  Of course, you need to be honest b/c they can see through any cover up.  I know of a case where the lady got in there and used the time with the psych to go on and on about all the difficulties in her life and started sobbing.  She got turned down for the surgery.  But the whole screening is to make sure that you are well informed about your decision, no one is making you do this, and that you understand that this surgery is not going to make your bills go away, your kids stop being mouthy or your neighbors ugly attitude go away. Just be yourself and you will be fine.
Camille

Thanks Camille. I should do okay if that is what it is about. I don't have any unreal expectations. I also don't have any family problems to speak of, none that are detrimental at all. Your input is appreciated.
emily

Congrats on getting the echo done. I had mine done 10-1-08 and my ekg a week before. I am geting ready to do my psych eval todo and my appt w/ the pulmo dr on the 16th I think his name is dr worely. but have you seen you surgen yet. I have faxed all my paper work into the surg assoc's and they told me they haven't got  my pcp letter yet. My dr faxed it over a week ago, I am scared about my psyc eval as well, I have a history of psyc problems, I have tried to kill myself twice in the past (I was 19 when I did try) and I have bi polar.  I hope your eval goes well.
kristie

Kristie, I have already seen Dr. Worley and got the all clear from him. He is a nice man and you will like him, but be prepared to wait a while. I have my Psych eval on Oct 16 with Dr. Cashman. Is that who you are seeing? I have bi polar too. I don't think the bipolar will hinder anything. Not sure about the suicide attempts. I would ask your pcp to refax the letter. Sounds like it got lost in the shuffle. I haven't seen the surgeon yet. You can't schedule until after all your appoinments are completed. I was also told by Crystal that it would be after the first of the year in January sometime because there are 20 people a head me.  Which surgeon are you using? I am using Dr. Katsis.
Keep me updated on your progress. It sounds like we will be going through the surgery about the same time.
EMily

Emily
I am glad Dr. Worley is a nice dr. I am hopeing I get the all clear from him. I don't have sleep app or anyathing else so I hope I can get the all clear. I work for a hospital in carthage and I work on a psych unit so one of the dr's said he would do my eval, (he is actually the dr I seen when I tried to od) and give me a all clear since I know what i am doing and clearly understand what i will have to do before and after the surgery. So thats a plus in my direction. I talked to crystal and she told me I would be having surg sometime in jan also. I got a copy of my pcp letter and refaxed it from work today so I know they got it, I used both fax numbers just to be on the safe side. Crstal told me that as soon as they got my pcp letter they would call to get me an appt to see the surgeon (they already have my medical records and my paper work that I filled out from the meeting. They said I was going to have dr cox as my surgeon but i thaught we got to pick who we wanted. I really want Dr fisher. I have heard so many great things about him anf the rny is his specialilty. Keep me posted on your progress as well.
kristie

Sorry my Dr will be Dr Cole

Kristie, Dr. cole is the newest member of the team that is doing bariatric surgery. I haven't heard anything about him. Wish I had. I thought you got to  pick your dr too. I picked Dr. Katsis and that is who my PCP addressed the letter and all my records to. I didn't care for Dr. Fisher's personality. He did one of the seminars I went to. I know several people that have used him and they had no problems with their surgeries but all said his bed side manner really sucked. I couldn't handle that. We will be going through things about the same time. That is so neat to find someone going to the same med group about the same time. I am excited to have the surgery. I am glad that your psych doctor is going to clear you. That is a great perk. I am sure you will do fine. I have to take the MMPI personality test as well as be interviewed.  I am not looking forward to the MMPI. I have taken one before and it was awful. I hope I do okay on it. I go on October 16th.
Keep in touch.
Emily