Tests, tests and more tests

[JuJuBee71]

Hello everyone!!!!

My surgeon gave me a huge list of allll kinds of tests that I need to have before a date is set.... I'm sure ya'll have done and gone through the same things....

Today, I went for my Upper GI. Ugh!! I tell you what - that barium crap was so nasty! I made everyone laugh afterwards, though, when I asked the nurse how many points that nasty stuff was worth - because I'm on weight watchers and I have to keep track of what goes in my pie hole! LOL Ohh, they were laughing so hard. I'm a ham. What can I say?

So, I do have a question or two.....
Along with the EKG, chest Xray, blood work, etc.... I need to be seen by a psychiatrist to be cleared for bariatric surgery. I dont know why I'm worried about this..... It's not like I'm coo coo for cocoa puffs or anything - but I'm curious about what they are looking for? I've been large ALL of my life..... I have never.....ever.....been considered normal size..... So I wonder if this is something that could be negative or against me? Am I over-thinking this stuff?

It's the fear of the unknown..... and I get so worked up over this stuff. I survived today! I know I'll survive it all - and come out the other side even better than ever.....

Guess I'm just scared. I dont want to fail....

Julie

[Zeitgeist]

I can remember being nervous about the psych exam as well. I had to go twice and both times, we just had a general conversation about health and weight; nothing too intense. I think he was looking to see that I understood the choice I was making, that I knew it was a life-long commitment, and that I didn't have unrealistic expectations of what the surgery/weight loss would be/lead to.

I remember thinking after the first appointment that I had worried needlessly.

[jiffypop]

Jen's right - they're not looking for perfection, but rather that you understand what you're getting into, that you have some sort of a support system, that you understand that losing weight doesn't fix your head issues with food, that you're prepared to deal with the stuff that comes up.

they're also looking for overt psychiatric diagnoses - but let's face it, by the time most people are looking into surgery, most people have at least some clue that they have, let's say, schizophrenia or bipolar illness or are bulemic or have a history of anorexia or binge eating.

just relax, be yourself, and most important BE HONEST. if something does raise some additional questions, the psych will be making sure that you recognize it's a potential issue that'll have to be dealt with, and that you're willing to do that.

it'll be fine

[Sleepy]

Hello, I see you are at the same 'beggining point' as I am. When I first read about all the test i would have to do psychiatrist was also my biggest fear, right now it switched to upper gi lol I believe it wil keep switcing from one test to another untill i'll have them all done. Good luck with all of your tests

[jillybean720]

My psych eval was super easy. In fact, the psych happened to have a particular interest in endocrinology, and he was very excited about the DS procedure, so we ended up sort of talking about it and the amazing impact it has on diabetes. It wasn't much of an evaluation, but it obviously at least showed him that I knew what I was choosing and could discuss it at an in-depth level

[mhernand]

You just have to realize a lot of the tests are to uncover any correctable risks that you may have before undergoing your procedure. Totally routine and necessary. They will want to ensure that you dont have some crazy expectations and that you understand the commitment on your part and the degree of risk.

You'll be fine!

good luck