Question:
Just had my PSYCH EVAL. Seemed strange- just trying to scare me?

My psych evaluation was today. She asked a ton of questions, ofcourse, but i was well-prepared, and am well-informed of the surgeyr and its risks, so there was no problem. But she was kind of harsh, i think maybe just to scare me away, but it did not, and i kept my determination strong. She said that the #3 killer of people who have this surgery is suicide!?! That they are so depressed they can't eat, they kill themselves. I know right after it, most people feel depressed for a few weeks, even months, but i am prepared for that. And also, she basically told me I will not be able to have children. I know there are risks of malnutrition, etc. but i am 22, hoping to be married and have kids within 5 years, kind of scared me. Any validity to all this?    — Lezlie Y. (posted on April 22, 2002)

April 22, 2002
Suicide? Never heard any staticic like that! Maybe they wanted to see if you re dedicated?
   — bob-haller

April 22, 2002
L... I am sure you are right.. the psychologist was trying to scare you. Or worse, she is a bit psycho herself!! I have not heard about a high suicide rate postoperatively, but have heard that the divorce rate among post ops is very high. And as far as being able to bear children, that is SO untrue! Granted, they recommend that you wait at least 18 months post op to conceive because during the first year and a half, you need all the nutrition you take in for YOU. While you are pregnant, most of our calories will go to the baby. So they warn you not to become pregnant too soon because both you and the baby could possibly suffer from malnutrition. In fact, if she told you that you COULD NOT get pregnant, she hasn't done her homework!!! In fact, most women who have suffered from morbid obesity for extended periods of time during their childbearing years were unable to conceive UNTIL they had WLS!!! If I were you, I would check this woman's credentials... and if you feel that she was trying to scare the #($)*@# out of you.. report her!!!! As WLS candidates, we tend to be a very well informed bunch and to have someone tell a patient that kind of crap just makes me so MAD!!!! It is not as though this is a FIRST choice with anyone..but rather a last. Sounds like she needs to go for her OWN psych eval! lol Good luck.. you will do just fine! :)
   — KathieInHawaii

April 22, 2002
I agree with the looking at credentials. I'd go one farther and report the experience to you Dr., he might not realize what's going on and may be referring to her. I would also consider reporting her to a ethics committee. Deciding this is hard enough without having ill informed people in these "helping" careers dump their garbage on us. (can you tell this hit a raw nerve?) God's Blessings.
   — Brenda F.

April 22, 2002
Hi, sounds like she was a ill-informed nut case. I have never heard about her supposed suicide statistic, nor have I been told that you can't have children after WLS. Iwas told by my surgeon that you should waite 18 months before trying to concieve. Keep your chin up, and don't let her scare you. Best wishes
   — Sherry S.

April 22, 2002
What a crock! This person is so ill-informed it is almost laughable. I don't think she is just trying to scare you. I think she is just ignorant and doesn't have the code of professional ethics that any good therapist should. If your surgeon referred you to her, you should tell him how she treated you. Otherwise, I'd probably just let it go. You're probably not going to be able to change her mind anyway.
   — garw

April 23, 2002
Oh, my gosh! What a nutcase!!! First of all, the whole thing about not being able to have kids is totally false. In fact, many women ovulate again normally after surgery when they haven't ovulated in several years beforehand! Also, this thing about suicide being a major cause of death in post-ops is pretty odd. I've never heard that. (Ask her where she got her statistic. She probably just made it up.) YES, she's just trying to scare you. Doesn't sound like she knows much about the surgery!!
   — Terissa R.

April 23, 2002
Be sure you read the letter she writes before it gets sent to the ins. co. She sounds anti-wls and like an all around horrible person (like my first psych was!) You should report her. Get a second opinion if you need to...good luck!
   — rebeccamayhew

April 23, 2002
I had a terrible experience with my psych eval. He basically told me that WLS doesnt work and tried to get me to take an antidepressent that supposedly causes weight loss as a side effect. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT! He also told me that people experience severe depression. I think they say that because the patients THEY may see that have had it DO have problems. That doesnt account for the thousands of others who have not. Also, the part about children is a load of s++t. I am 24 and plan on having more children. Remember, they are not medical doctors and are not expereinced in WLS, so I don;t put any validity to what they say. Good for you that you are staying determined!
   — emilyfink