Has anyone else suffered mistreatment by the psychologist who did the pre-op exam

I was required by my surgeon--my former surgeon--to see a particlar psychologist who does research (on predictors of WLS outcomes) at the teaching hospital where he also has his practice. The exam was an unusual 4 hours ($800.00 worth) in length. It included in-depth personality tests, and IQ test (!), and more. Since I work in the same field in a different role myself, I knew this was unusual and excessive. I also supected that each patient was included in her research, and that is why SO much testing of all those factors was included. The IQ test was supposedly "to make sure our patients can read", although they knew I had a college degree.I asked the doctor and psychologist if a shorter exam was possible, due to the cost, and also whether an afternoon appointment was available, since I work nights and would be exhausted in the late morning. Later, when I realized that she intended to send the entire 4 page report with detailed history and test results to the MD, I asked her whether this was absolutely necessary, and whether she could simply tell him in a letter what he NEEDED to know for my care, due to confidentiality concerns. (As it happens, although I live an hour from this hospital, some of the residents from there do training at the hospital where I work, and I did not want them seeing my detailed history,IQ, etc.) She mandated that I seek counseling due to a long-ago history of sexual abuse, and despite my resentment over not being allowed to decide for myself, I did it. (And--surprise--the counselor is wonderful, and I think I will stay and work with her. I told her my whole life story in the second visit, LOL.) However, the psychologist never called me to tell me the findings from her tests, nor e-mailed me, either. When I arrived for my appointment to see the entire report, it turned out she had --WITHOUT MY PERMISSION--gone to the surgery team--no doubt including whatever residents were on duty-- and urged them to turn me away as a patient because I had excessive confidentiality requirements! She also accused me of being excessively controlling, trying to change all the usual procedures from day one, and of having suspect reasons for using that particular hospital for my care despite confidentialty needs.(I did have particular reasons--he is the only MD near me who does the LAP RNY, and by the time I realized the residents I worked with were there, I had already waited many months to see the MD. And by the time I realized this woman was a control freak with an anger management problem and a serious vengeful streak, I had already invested $800.00 and many months in her and the MD she works with!) This woman, who hardly deserves the term psychologist, because her clinical skills outside of testing are so poor--abused my trust, and violated my confidentiality. I don't know whether she felt threatened by me or what. I admitted I had a high IQ, and maybe she threw in the test to be sure, which would indicate it WAS an issue for her. I also work as a nursing supervisor in a psychiatric hospital, so maybe she felt threatened by my awareness of the behind-the scenes stuff and nervous about possible litigation over confidentiality later on. But the way she went about resolving it was cruel, unethical, and extremely controlling. She included a good deal of pure speculation in her report, including that I probably had "interpersonal difficulties" (with whom? her? you bet I did!)and so on. I am appalled that she is the person who is screening applicants for surgery. Could it be that she thought a 270lb woman with an abusive childhood background ought not to be making so many demands or be so sure of herself? I did get the feeling she felt somewhat condescending toward obese people. For example, she concluded that there must be "mre you're not telling", and stated categorically that I could not POSSIBLY know myself well enough to trust myself to seek help with the post-op adjustment should I have trouble...As she has probably never been obese, one wonders why she went into this particular area to practice. (For the pschologically savvy, my MMPI-@ and other tests were well within the normal range, showing only a tendency to try to meet expectations of normality under the testing, a tendency to be cautious about trusting, and a creative, imaginative streak. Period.) Regardless of her motivations, she was way out of line in her behavior, and has done damage to my trust to the point I hesitate to have the surgery for fear of encountering someone else, who like her, has an agenda, and does not have my interests as a priority. I am writing to WARN YOU others about professionals like this, and to seek support.

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