another psych eval..seriously!

ok soooo im pre-op and had been finish with all of my pre-op checklist for more than 2 weeks now and i was wondering why in the heck i hadn't heard from my dr on a surgery date or my insurance or anything...so i called and they say well the psychiatrist hasnt released you..so i call him and he seems to think that i need a few months of counseling so that i dont fall into old habits after surgery..i was a bit of a purger for like 13 years..hadn't done it in almost 3 years..i tried everything to try and convince this guy that i dont do that or do i intend on making that a part of my lifestyle again..no sale. i'm so frustrated...i dont want to go through all these counseling sessions for something i dont even do anymore..it is a waste of my time and money..i used to be a heavy smoker and drinker too but i havent for almost 3 years..hello I got Jesus in my life now!! but i dont expect a lot of ppl to understand that especially a psychiatrist..but anyways what y'all think??

I'm sorry you are having to go through this.  I'm sure they are just trying to ensure your safety after surgery.  Some of our folks CAN'T throw up anymore.  I'm not sure what purging may do to your new whatever (rny, band or sleeve).  Maybe in a session or so you can convince him you are over that.  Good luck with your next visit.

thanks for your reply..btw ur new pic looks great:)

I feel ya beachbaby. I had some borderline depression preop and postop it did get worse.
I would just keep following the advice of your docs and do a few more sessions with psych and show them that you are healed.
I just cant explain how much your life changes postop for the better and sometimes for the not so good. Hang in there and do what you can now to insure your success in your future!
I am still here and doing so well by the grace of God only.

Thanks Maria for your support...this is one thing i dont see on the forum is about ppl's psych eval..i'am gonna keep on with the sessions and hopefully it will benefit me post op...thanks for your reply!!

what a hot new avaie.  Hoo woo.

Sorry for the setback.  The psy at my surgeons released me with the condition that I went for weekly counseling until surgery and for at least 3 months after.  I was PO'd.  But I really wanted the surgery and now I'm glad I went.  Did I need it?  Who knows. But I have friends who weren't recommended for psych and they are having soooo many problems now it is really sad.  One had the band for 6 years and lost weight but it turns out she did it by purging. She's screwed up her esophagus, is now petrified to eat and is borderline anorexic.   She is FINALLY getting counseling and is in a ton of emotional pain.  You don't want that to happen to you.
Play the game, play it well and you will get where you need to be.
Janet

see i wish they wud release me now so i can go ahwad and get my date..i wud agree to conseling until surgery and post op...i want to be successful post op and im willing to do whatever it takes but they dont wanna release me until i complete months of conseling and when they feel ready...its a bit extreme for something i havent even done in years...thanks for ur reply Janet:)

The purpose of the pysch eval according to the ASMSB is to identify issues that you need to work on. It is NOT supposed to be used to deny you surgery unless your problem is acute. You can get the counseling as part of the process, starting pre-op and finishing it post-op as MrsM did.  

Here are some guidelines from the VA Bariatric Surgery Workgroup where they talk about what conditions would preclude surgery and what ones don't:  
http://www.move.va.gov/download/Resources/BariatricSurgery/NCPRecsforPreOpPsychEvalforwebposting706.pdf

Your situation is NOT in the "don't" category according to them.  

Here is an article from on the American Journal of Psychiatry on the bariatric psych eval where they say:  

"Patients seeking bariatric surgery are usually required to participate in an assessment to provide psychological/psychosocial clearance prior to surgery. Conduct of presurgical assessments varies widely (22, 40), and there are few clear-cut contraindications to surgery. There is consensus that the presence of current acute or inadequately managed mental illness, active substance abuse or dependence, inability to participate in informed decision making, and unwillingness to comply with postsurgical protocol indicate a need to defer or deny surgery. Identification of contraindications to surgery is only one function of a thorough assessment, however. The consultation provides the opportunity to work with the patient to clarify expectations, provide education, identify potential barriers to compliance, and plan for postsurgical follow-up."  

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/166/3/285  

You need to talk to your program and get them to follow the standards that everyone else follows...

interesting..so what ur saying is they can't hold me back from getting the surgery..that they are suppose to go ahead and release my info over to the baratric dept so that i can continue on with my surgery?????? thanks so much for ur reply...im gonna defintley look more into this..