Had my psych eval today..I'm offically nuts!

Hi All, My appt took 3 and 1/2 hrs including the long tests. She recommended I get separate counseling for various issues but I have to see her again in a month after the testing is evaluated. I knew she'd have her hands full. I literally have a headache from going through my past, trying to remember all the stuff that got me where I am today. She said she agrees that I need the surgery but she did talk with me awhile about addictions that can show up about a year after surgery. Have any of you had problems of this nature? Right now, food is my only addiction but she said a high % of wls people become addicted to something...whether it be alcohol, gambling, drugs, etc. I live a very clean, boring life and can't imagine what that means for me. She said that the first year is spent so focused on getting in proteins and liquids that addictions don't show up till about a yr. I mentioned that I'd like to get back to my love of landscaping/gardening, acrylic painting or even travel. Please share if anyone has heard of this problem, no specifics necessary. We also talked about realistic weight loss...I told her my surgeon thought I would only lose 60-70# but that I would like to lose over 100#.  I'm 5'5" and would like to weigh about 130-150#...is that realistic? She thought that would be too thin. I guess alot depends on how I feel at that weight. She said all kinds of diseases can crop up from being too thin. Whatever you share with me will not leave this forum. You are my support system. I trust all info you send my way. Alice

Hey Alice, join the club since we are nuts in one way or another. When I had my psych evaluation I just had to take a test with a gazillion questions and then he sent it through that computer. It came back while I was waiting and he showed me the results. It came back just like he said it would. He then told me that he didn't think I would have any problems but if I did he was there to help me at any time I needed him. I am seriously thinking of calling him. He was so nice. So your evaluation must have been different than mine was.

I had also been told that there was a chance of switching addictions from food to something else.  Luckily I haven't, well unless you call my not being able to pass up a sale on bath towels or dish towels an addiction!  My linen closet is stuffed.  Hey, I'm not worried as they are noncaloric, don't spoil, and I can give some to my sons who have both recently moved out.  No, wait, I can't part with any of them.  I love my green bath towels and the blue ones and the white ones and the dish towels with the daisies and the ones with the apples...    I'll buy more for my sons!

join the crowd!!!!!!!!!!! seriously-yes; some ppl do develop different addictions-some to shopping some to alcohol some to sex...some to whatever--and i don't think you get to choose which you take! it can be a tough battle and i am not trying to make light of it...however; knowing that , you can still go forward with your surgery.... and yes,. some illnesses develop--i sure wouldn't say diseases...but many folk will develop disease or illness without surgery- so--- not surethat i am helping at all!

Hi Alice: Yes, there's been some documentation of other addictions; I had an overspending problem when I was super morbidly obese and it didn't go away when I got thinner; I was in counseling before surgery and continued it two years after, then quit. Recently, I decided I needed to go back because I still have lots of issues. I'm still overspending and haven't gotten that under control and sometimes I still oversnack even though I know I shouldn't.  As far as your goal, I'm 5-3 1/2 and down to 170; insurance charts say I should be 130-140 to be considered "normal" ... but I don't know if I'll ever get down there and I think I'd be too skinny if I were down at 130-140. I'd be happy at 160. I'm quite happy at 170 (if I'd ever stick at that weight; I keep jumping up and down). I'm healthier than I was four years ago when I had my surgery. You can get some malabsoprtion issues from the surgery; you have to be sure to take your vitamins and supplements religiously and get your protein in.  Hope that helps.

Alice, I replied earlier but this computer had a mind of its own - let's try again!!! At 19 months out I haven't noticed any cross addictions. I had papers proving I was nuts BEFORE the psych evaluation too. If they pop up later I'll deal with them. The goal weight is hard to envision. My surgeon refuses to give us a goal, the Nut waits a loooong time. I had a bunch of mini goals so there were plenty of victories. 10 pound increments were more manageable for me. At 5'2" and a starting weight of 320 pounds I was thinking in terms of getting under 200 pounds as a goal. That was about the time I hit a major stall. ONEderland seemed beyond my grasp. By sticking to the program it passed. When I approached 135 pounds my Nut said it was time to begin maintenence. That scared me. I knew how to lose but not maintain. For a long while I didn't maintain and dropped more weight. It began to get scarey but I was more afraid of gaining. (told you I have the nutty papers )  By working with my Nut I finally maintain around 113 - 116 pounds. I am comfortable right here but still monitor my daily intake - especially concentrating on protein first.  WLS is a weird journey and we all have different reactions. Some are similar but no two people are alike. This forum has been a perfect source of support to me. We will help you along the way too. Keep asking your questions and we will give you an honest reply. Annette

Thank you everyone! You are the BEST. I think this whole thing kinda  got to me cuz my son is moving out of state for 4 more yrs of college and he'll be getting married next summer so I'm feeling like all of a sudden it is just me and my 2 cats. I will need to fill my time that I'm not working with something positive. But what can be more positive than weight loss? I'm so looking forward to putting my large ash on the losers' bench and watching my hiney melt away. I'll certainly spend time here visiting with my new friends as often as I can. I still would like to move somewhere warmer in the next couple years if I can transfer in my job. Don't want to make too many changes all at once. Thanks again for all your support, AGAIN. Alice

Hey Alice......one more hurdle behind you ....good for you!! Addictions do happen that is for sure. My girlfriend is now an alcoholic...heading downward fast. She is now starting to gain weight so of course she drinks more!! She is 3 years out. Many people become shopping addicts or gambling addicts. I have always been too concerned about money to go either of those directions.  If anything I am more exercise addicted then anything. I will gladly take that over the others.  I also see a therapist and he helps me deal with this before it gets out of hand.  I wish you the best of luck. You will do well. Don't dwell on it too much. Your weight goal seems realistic to me. Your body will know when it is time to stop losing. My doctor said I would only be about 140 or 145 pounds. I am now 128 and still losing,  slowly but still a little at a time. Hugs, connie d