I am so upset. I have to have 3 psych consultations before they will do it..

I think that is smart!  I benefitted a lot from working with my own counselor during that first year post-op.  I really believe that it helped me tremendously in being successful long term (7 years and counting). 

Everything we can do to deal with all the various things that contributed to our obesity helps us win the war a little more easily.

Lora

It's always hard to hear news we weren't expecting. Can you go every 2 weeks instead of once a month? I was very nervous through the process, kept thinking someone was going to step in and say "no!". The pre-surg stuff is exhausting.... Take a deep breath and do what you need to do. Next year this will just be a blip on the screen and you will be in a new place. Good Luck!

Thanks for the replies.  I have been on a journey for several years to be able to get WLS.  It took me 2 years before I got my Medicare disability; I actually got disability on my first try without a lawyer.  That in itself should let you know I have many health concerns.  I was a former medical transcriptionist, and when I had to go part time the company took away my medical insurance.  I went 8 years with no medical insurance.   So, needless to say when my chronic conditions flare, then my anxiety also does.  I understand everything needed for this surgery.  I went through it when my husband had it done.   I don't tolerate medications well, especially any narcotic and most anxiolytics which give me severe nausea and bloody diarrhea..  I take my meds as prescribed.  I have been on a vitamin regimen for some time to help my immunocomprimised  conditions.  I just feel I should be able to take those tests over once my infection has cleared up.. 

Thanks for the replies.  I have been on a journey for several years to be able to get WLS.  It took me 2 years before I got my Medicare disability; I actually got disability on my first try without a lawyer.  That in itself should let you know I have many health concerns.  I was a former medical transcriptionist, and when I had to go part time the company took away my medical insurance.  I went 8 years with no medical insurance.   So, needless to say when my chronic conditions flare, then my anxiety also does.  I understand everything needed for this surgery.  I went through it when my husband had it done.   I don't tolerate medications well, especially any narcotic and most anxiolytics which give me severe nausea and bloody diarrhea..  I take my meds as prescribed.  I have been on a vitamin regimen for some time to help my immunocomprimised  conditions.  I just feel I should be able to take those tests over once my infection has cleared up.. 

Normally, just showing a lot of anxiety (whether in person or on an assessment) isn't a reason that they would not give you immediate psych clearance.  There was likely something else along with the anxiety that raised a yellow flag.

Just ask the Psychologist when you see him/her again what his/her specific concern is. It cannot be anything too serious or they would have asked for more than a couple of additional sessions.

i know it is hard to wait, but it really is in your best interest long-term.

I had to have 2 psych visits and had to commit to a year of monthly counseling, once a month nutritionist visits and a monthly

support group before I got released.  After 14 weeks I can honestly tell you that I need every single one of those

meetings for questions, venting, up and down good and bad.  

They know what they are doing.  Just roll with it.  You ll be glad you did  :)

Best of Luck!

And how do they justify the extra costs of this counseling?  I worked diligently to get my credit to a place that I could borrow money to have this surgery and buy the extra protein supplements etc for post operative needs.  I still am under the care of 4 different specialists, and those are $50 a whack  I have never been allowed for Medicaid, and had to pay out of pocket for a mass of medical bills (total costs so far over $30,000...!!!)  Even though my husband is on disability and then finally me, it has taken us quite some time to clear our credit.   Should that not tell someone that I am determined to better myself?  My husband is quite upset over this and feels the psychologist is just using this.  I have had many disappointments and death in my immediate family from cancer the last 6 years, particularly melanoma.  I have stayed strong in dealing with my father's sundowning from his cancer treatments, as well as my aunt.  I feel that no one who is obese ( I hate that word) is totally without anxiety and depression, but pulling yourself up by the bootstraps and trying to help yourself should not be hindered by someone taking a test when they were in the throes of a bad kidney infection..   I am doing this for myself and to help my health, yes I am extremely concerned that I will not be here on this earth much longer if I cannot get this help.  I am not a binge eater, I am not bulimic.  There are times however that I am ravenously hungry; is that the diabetes 2 causing it?  Needless to say, this feels like yet again another rejection and is troubling to me.  I don't understand it.  A year of counseling you say?  Again I ask, how do they suppose you can afford something like that?  Putting one in financial straits is not a good option; yet, is WLS only for the very rich? 

And how do they justify the extra costs of this counseling?  I worked diligently to get my credit to a place that I could borrow money to have this surgery and buy the extra protein supplements etc for post operative needs.  I still am under the care of 4 different specialists, and those are $50 a whack  I have never been allowed for Medicaid, and had to pay out of pocket for a mass of medical bills (total costs so far over $30,000...!!!)  Even though my husband is on disability and then finally me, it has taken us quite some time to clear our credit.   Should that not tell someone that I am determined to better myself?  My husband is quite upset over this and feels the psychologist is just using this.  I have had many disappointments and death in my immediate family from cancer the last 6 years, particularly melanoma.  I have stayed strong in dealing with my father's sundowning from his cancer treatments, as well as my aunt.  I feel that no one who is obese ( I hate that word) is totally without anxiety and depression, but pulling yourself up by the bootstraps and trying to help yourself should not be hindered by someone taking a test when they were in the throes of a bad kidney infection..   I am doing this for myself and to help my health, yes I am extremely concerned that I will not be here on this earth much longer if I cannot get this help.  I am not a binge eater, I am not bulimic.  There are times however that I am ravenously hungry; is that the diabetes 2 causing it?  Needless to say, this feels like yet again another rejection and is troubling to me.  I don't understand it.  A year of counseling you say?  Again I ask, how do they suppose you can afford something like that?  Putting one in financial straits is not a good option; yet, is WLS only for the very rich? 

Your reaction to this relatively minor delay reinforces the psychologist's diagnosis. You DO need some counseling before you undergo a drastic, life-saving, yet still elective procedure like WLS.

Make the appointments, get the counseling, MOVE ON.

In the words of the immortal Meatloaf, You took the words right out of my mouth.

Mmmm. Meatloaf.