Got a suggestion for Dr. B's Office

Hey Everyone!! I was thinking last night and came up with a suggestion that I might have to share with Lacy at Dr. B's office.  The new psychologist is great.  Very intelligent.  However, she is very busy.  I tried to talk with her last night about seeing her on a regular basis for my issues that have been going on (since that is what our $2500 fee was supposed to  cover) and she acted as if her schedule was packed and that she didn't intend on taking long term therapy patients.  Just every now and then.  That made me pissed. I paid $2500 and thought I was getting a good deal because it covered all my shrink visits for life.  But, now because she is so busy, I can't get into see her on a regular basis.  I know there are more people out that would benefit from individual therapy and do not want to have to pay the insurance co-pay when we were promised services for life with our joining fee! Ok, my suggestion is that Dr. B hire a social worker to do the counseling of the patients on a regular basis and let Dr. Armstrong focus on the new psych evals and reports!  She can't possibly do both jobs and work 3 days a week!  What do you people think? Rachel

Sounds fair to me! I wonder how he gets away with charging that up front fee when he participates with insurance companies.... I would think that would be in arbitration of his contract.... but I'd present it to him and see what he thinks. Worse case scenario... new patients will have to pay 3k to cover the new therapist on payroll! But im all for counseling... in fact... I need it!!!!

When I think to myself.. what am I lacking in this whole deal, it is the psychological issues being dealt with. I think they should have a psychologist that can hold "overeaters anonymous" type meetings where they focus on ways to cope without food and how to turn to other stress management issues without food. It should be almost like a group therapy setting where you can join in and share your difficulties and talk to the other people about them, without being under scrutiny if you have slacked in areas or had a binge here or there... where as now if we said that in our "support group" setting we would be flamed by the "newbies" who think they are invincible to these problems right now and then lectured by the doctor the next week.. I think they should have a 6 mth+ group that meets , the ones who are going through the "after honeymoon" phase..

I am one of the "newbies". My first post-op group was last night (well my first one was really the cooking class!). I am 3 1/2 weeks out and even though I am not experiencing what some of the one who are a lot further out I appreciate everyone sharing what they are going through. I want to learn to be able to deal with things when I am at that stage. Frankly, I was a little scared last night when everyone was talking about the addiction transfer among other things. I had NO CLUE this would be a problem! So please do assume us "newbies" would flame you if you share your problems. It won't be long before we are at the same point as you. Maybe it would be helpful if we could have a suggestion box where we could suggest topics for the weekly meetings. That way she could cover the topics that we need covered the most (like group therapy sessions). Karen P.S. I hate to think I am in the "honeymoon" stage. i was told it would get better! lol!

We discussed some of these issues with her last night. Oh by the way we missed you Jenn.  She really enlightened me on a few things.  She was telling us ways to deal with our stress and to stay completely away from food environments when we are stressed.  I personally felt it was very helpful to hear what she and the other LOSERS had to say. Hope to see you soon. Have a good day.  

cool! im glad we finally have someone who seems to know what theyre talking about :) LOL.. dr russell was good but he was like a broken record at times.. hear the same things everytime he talked. Hate i missed last night!! missed yall too..

I am supposed to have a phone consult with her @ 3:00 today, I will suggest this Jen! Let you know if I hear of anything good! patti

I am with you and deel fre to say that to Lacey as well. I need long term help and that is what we paid for. Le tme know if I can do anything.

Patti

PS What is the Avon product you wanted ?

They talked about addiction transefer last night?!?!!? That was my suggestion!!!!  I sent it to Lacey and she said she would pass it on!  If I had known ahead of time that was the topic, I would have gotten over myself and headed over there!   Dammit!  Now I'm pissed!

Kathy,     I am struggling with addiction transfer and to be honest she wasn't that much help.  The only thing I got out of it was to avoid high risk situations.  So I stay out of the ABC store and you stay out of the mall.    45 minutes really isn't enough time.  So many people (me included) love to share my experiences.    I'm really gonna talk to lacey about this. Rachel