My Psych. Appt.

Hello, I feel like I am on the road.  I have my appt. w/ Dr. Friedman.  I got in next week.  His  receptionist is AWESOME!!!!!  What exactly do they talk about at this appt.  He only requires 1 visit which was nice.  I have never gone to a "Shrink" before, and I am a bit nervous.  Also, does anyone have any suggestions as to the best way to get off a few pounds before surgery.  Dr.  Roye said I CANNOT gain ANY more weight before.  In fact he wants me to take off some.  What have some of you done to prepare? Thanks a bunch! Jen

Hi Jen, I don't recall who I went to, but it was an all day affair. I had a questionaire to fill out and then I met with one person.  We talked about growing up - family dynamic, what losing weight will mean, why I want to have the surgery, why this will work where other things haven't and stuff like that.  I then filled out this quesionaire again..similar questions but different. Then I met with the Psychiatrist.  This meeting was very short.  She asked me if I was scared and why I wanted the surgery and why I chose the surgery I did.  She had the notes from the initial meeting and we talked about some of the things I said...and that was it. Good luck...

Dear Jen, Your question about meeting with the psych just took me down a quick trip to the past & made me laugh. I was a student teacher with an eighth grade civics class in a rural area. While I was speaking a boy up in front calmly took out a hunting knife & starting cleaning his fingernails. This quicly registered with me as slightly inappropriate, no matter how dirty his nails were. He'd been thrown out of school before for various infractions but I'd never had any problems with him.  I decided that i'd best send him to the office.  So I calmly asked him to leave & he calmly did so..  Whew! At the end of the day the Principal came up to me & was clearly agitated with me.  He said that he'd been mentoring this kid for awhile & was upset that I'd send him to the office.  He thought that I should have just asked the kid to put the knife away.  He was now forced  into a position where he had to throw the kid out for a few days.  Go figrure! So my best advice to you is to leave your hunting knife home and always use a nail file for your naills. Not  to worry.  They'll ask you a zillion questions.  Just respond calmly & directly.  You will be asked questions about wanting to harm yourself (or others)..  Just don't laugh. Islander   

That was a great story, made me laugh.  I will try not to laugh, although I get giddy when i am nervous.  Thanks, Jen

Hi Jen, Dr. Friedman is a typical Psych Evaluator and I LOVE HIM!!  LOL he was so nice and understanding.  I felt much more at ease when I came into the room and he LOOKED like a psych evaluator, curly receding hair, little reading glasses so far to the end of his nose, you would think that they were going to fall off, vest and and old suit, and topped off with a bowtie.   He's great and his assistant (Maybe his wife) is one of the best peopel I've dealt with so far during this journey!