One more hoop jumped!

November 1, 2005

Well, I went in this morning for my psych eval in Santa Clara. I think

the doctor's name was Dr. Quinn - does that ring any bells? Anyway, it

went well. He said he'd be sending a recommendation to my PCP this

afternoon. Whoopee!

He also mentioned something interesting during the appointment, though.

He said that out of all the people he's seen at this point in the

process, to do their evaluations, only one has ever come back post-op

to show how he was doing and talk about the changes he's gone through.

That made me wonder. . . I know the psych staff who evaluate us are

trained in this area, but there's a big difference between training and

actually talking with someone who's been through the process. The

nutritionists get to see us later, and so do the regular doctors - but

has anyone else here ever gone back post-op to " show off " their results

to the psych dept?

Just a thought. . .

Cathy C.

November 1, 2005

Wow, I hadn't ever even thought about that Cathy. I figured the psych

was there to do their job to evaluate me and then..... " NEXT " was the

way I felt about my appt.

I wonder if anyone goes back as well.....I would think it would help

their total processing those for evaluation if more of us went back

to give feedback and bring up issues we might have.

I will have to look my gal up and see if I can go in for an appt.

Congrats on your getting through the next hoop! Soon you will be hula-

hooping around the place with all that you have accomplished! Weeee!

Kay

336/290/210/?

6/28/05- Dr Baggs/lap surgery- First day of the rest of my life!

>

> Well, I went in this morning for my psych eval in Santa Clara. I

think

> the doctor's name was Dr. Quinn - does that ring any bells?

Anyway, it

> went well. He said he'd be sending a recommendation to my PCP this

> afternoon. Whoopee!

>

> He also mentioned something interesting during the appointment,

though.

> He said that out of all the people he's seen at this point in the

> process, to do their evaluations, only one has ever come back post-

op

> to show how he was doing and talk about the changes he's gone

through.

> That made me wonder. . . I know the psych staff who evaluate us are

> trained in this area, but there's a big difference between training

and

> actually talking with someone who's been through the process. The

> nutritionists get to see us later, and so do the regular doctors -

but

> has anyone else here ever gone back post-op to " show off " their

results

> to the psych dept?

>

> Just a thought. . .

>

> Cathy C.

>

November 1, 2005

Kay,

Many people brought up issues and feedback at our 3 month and 6 month post op. I thought that was great. Donnaspecialkmix2000 wrote:

Wow, I hadn't ever even thought about that Cathy. I figured the psych was there to do their job to evaluate me and then....."NEXT" was the way I felt about my appt.I wonder if anyone goes back as well.....I would think it would help their total processing those for evaluation if more of us went back to give feedback and bring up issues we might have. I will have to look my gal up and see if I can go in for an appt. Congrats on your getting through the next hoop! Soon you will be hula-hooping around the place with all that you have accomplished! Weeee! Kay336/290/210/?6/28/05- Dr Baggs/lap surgery- First day of the rest of my life! >> Well, I went in this morning for my psych eval in Santa

Clara. I think > the doctor's name was Dr. Quinn - does that ring any bells? Anyway, it > went well. He said he'd be sending a recommendation to my PCP this > afternoon. Whoopee!> > He also mentioned something interesting during the appointment, though. > He said that out of all the people he's seen at this point in the > process, to do their evaluations, only one has ever come back post-op > to show how he was doing and talk about the changes he's gone through. > That made me wonder. . . I know the psych staff who evaluate us are > trained in this area, but there's a big difference between training and > actually talking with someone who's been through the process. The > nutritionists get to see us later, and so do the regular doctors - but > has anyone else here ever gone back post-op to "show off" their results > to the psych

dept? > > Just a thought. . . > > Cathy C.>Donna JordonDSJordon@...

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November 1, 2005

Cathy,

I stopped to say hello to my psych, when I was there seeing my PCP. Since we only met once, it's not the same as seeing someone who has seen you a few times through the journey. He did say thanks that only a few people had ever stopped by, and I do believe it's because we only meet them once. Just like the dietitian I only saw once and I haven't gone back to see her. DonnaCathy wrote:

Well, I went in this morning for my psych eval in Santa Clara. I think the doctor's name was Dr. Quinn - does that ring any bells? Anyway, it went well. He said he'd be sending a recommendation to my PCP this afternoon. Whoopee!He also mentioned something interesting during the appointment, though. He said that out of all the people he's seen at this point in the process, to do their evaluations, only one has ever come back post-op to show how he was doing and talk about the changes he's gone through. That made me wonder. . . I know the psych staff who evaluate us are trained in this area, but there's a big difference between training and actually talking with someone who's been through the process. The nutritionists get to see us later, and so do the regular doctors - but has anyone else here ever gone

back post-op to "show off" their results to the psych dept? Just a thought. . . Cathy C. Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

November 2, 2005

HI Cathy,

Those of us who have been back to the psych dept usually go back there because of issues that were left unresolved before surgery. I am 2 and a half years out from surgery and have lost 122 pounds. Since I had my surgery I find that I still in the constant struggle with my issues that caused me to eventually become morbid obese. It is harder once you have surgery to deal with the problems because you can no longer look to the comfort foods.

I have been a part of this group almost since it was started and I have gone through all of the different feelings that so many have stated. In the beginning so enthusiastic about everything and losing weight so dramatically which was great but then there came a point in my life where I stopped losing weight and started to gain a bit back. For myself it is an everyday struggle with me. My problems at home came back tenfold and were getting harder to deal with as time went on. I was getting to the point where I felt like I didn't even have the energy to go to the gym or even go to see my friends. Alarm bells did go off in my head and I sought help. I can't really say you should go back there to show them how much you have lost but rather go there to seek their help if you still have issues with whatever is was that got you to the point where you needed to have the surgery. I am glad that I did go back there for that reason. Since I have been back I have been given more tools to use to help me in my struggle and with my depression. I have been going there for a couple of months and been on Wellbutrin for about a month. I am finally getting my life back and going out and enjoying the things I once enjoyed.

Here it is a great group with so many people who are in so many different stages of the game and it is great to read about how well they are doing. But I am sure there are many who are faced with still the problems and struggles of what ever it was that lead us down this road. I also encourage those who are silent and struggling to speak up about what is going on in your lives and look for support. I think that reaching out is so hard sometimes and exposing my weakness is so hard at times because the fear of being attacked and criticized or being considered a failure because I can't suck it up and follow the guidelines.

As it has been said so many times before Gastric Bypass is stomach surgery and not Brain Surgery.

Ramona

November 2, 2005

Romona,

I am so glad you wrote this. I haven't had a problem with food yet being 7 months post op Nov. 11th, but with all life struggles which I'm sure you've read. My son's broken shoulder, my husbands step moms cancer, my WLS, getting ready for my 2 boys to move on there on in Feb., running a in home daycare with 6 children full time, nutritionist visits for the daycare and it's time for my state visit and knows how that feels, an a man I love dearly and have been married to for 24 years is in total depression and no one can seem to get him back feeling just okay, and the doctors think he'll be better off without the worries of a marriage, and what is going on with the boys and out of the Bay Area and I hope this all helps, but he scares me he thinks about not being on this earth, there's also my parents that need help because of their age and all my other brothers and sister live in different states (except one you can't rely on). Then there's so many

doctor appointments for all these things and I can't close for a day due to me keeping all the bills paid, thank god my husband did make it to retirement at a early age, even though pension isn't great I manage to keep all working. Now add the up coming holiday's to this. Hell I feel so overwhelmed at times, but thank god for my friends, and for me finding you guys to let out stuff off my chest. I have not been doing any bad habits due to this and I am still losing weight, I have always been strong and look on the bright side of things. Everyone has a breaking point I do know that, so I always talk out things with psych doctors for my husband and myself and boys. I haven't had to take any medicine, but if needed I would. I think because I can speak up, it helps me not go for the food, so you are right if there's people out there with issues that can cause you to eat more or wrong things for comfort you need to speak up, we're all here for you, and

don't feel bad if you need psych help. If help is there take it where ever you can get it. Donnasweetgemlady656@... wrote:

HI Cathy,

Those of us who have been back to the psych dept usually go back there because of issues that were left unresolved before surgery. I am 2 and a half years out from surgery and have lost 122 pounds. Since I had my surgery I find that I still in the constant struggle with my issues that caused me to eventually become morbid obese. It is harder once you have surgery to deal with the problems because you can no longer look to the comfort foods.

I have been a part of this group almost since it was started and I have gone through all of the different feelings that so many have stated. In the beginning so enthusiastic about everything and losing weight so dramatically which was great but then there came a point in my life where I stopped losing weight and started to gain a bit back. For myself it is an everyday struggle with me. My problems at home came back tenfold and were getting harder to deal with as time went on. I was getting to the point where I felt like I didn't even have the energy to go to the gym or even go to see my friends. Alarm bells did go off in my head and I sought help. I can't really say you should go back there to show them how much you have lost but rather go there to seek their help if you still have issues with whatever is was that got you to the point where you needed to have the surgery. I am glad that I did go back there for that reason. Since I have been back I

have been given more tools to use to help me in my struggle and with my depression. I have been going there for a couple of months and been on Wellbutrin for about a month. I am finally getting my life back and going out and enjoying the things I once enjoyed.

Here it is a great group with so many people who are in so many different stages of the game and it is great to read about how well they are doing. But I am sure there are many who are faced with still the problems and struggles of what ever it was that lead us down this road. I also encourage those who are silent and struggling to speak up about what is going on in your lives and look for support. I think that reaching out is so hard sometimes and exposing my weakness is so hard at times because the fear of being attacked and criticized or being considered a failure because I can't suck it up and follow the guidelines.

As it has been said so many times before Gastric Bypass is stomach surgery and not Brain Surgery.

RamonaDonna JordonDSJordon@...

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November 2, 2005

Hi, Ramona -

Yes, I know most folks who go back to psych do so because of

unresolved issues with food and emotional health. That's one of the

reasons I think it might be useful for a few of us who DON'T need

that kind of support to go back and talk informally with the doctors

who've evaluated us. It might be helpful for them to get some

reinforcement that they made a good recommendation, that the benefits

were worth the risks, etc.

I've always felt that it's important for care providers to see

the " normal " outcomes of treatments they recommend, as well as

the " worst case " outcomes. I learned how important this is when I was

pregnant and researching my options for childbirth; most OBs take a

very interventionist approach to pregnancy and childbirth because

they're trained in all the problems and complications. They don't

have nearly as much exposure to " normal " deliveries and uncomplicated

pregnancies because they don't need to intervene. That means they see

all their patients through the lens of " what if " - and they may have

a skewed view of the risks.

I'm not saying that WLS is exactly the same. We ARE high risk

patients by and large, and most of us DO have issues of some sort

with food and emotion and so on that we need to face and deal with.

But many of us manage to come through the process in fairly good

order, and I think the psychiatrists and psychologists who see us

should get some positive feedback to let them know we're doing ok.

Cathy C.

November 2, 2005

> I am not going to the same psych I went to for WLS but my husband and I have

been going to a counselor since before my surgery. He was not in favor of me

having surgery and I know that the divorce rate seems to be high for WLS

patients. We have been married 14 years and have 2 beautiful children he was

just so against this. Going to counseling has opened our communication and

helped him see why I wanted this surgery. Now everyday he says he is so glad I

stuck to my guns about what I wanted for MY body. We just got back from a walk

together he is enjoying me being phsycially active. He also told the counselor

(which embarassed me by the way) that its pretty cool every night when he goes

to bed he feels like he is in bed with a new woman and its his wife, he said he

wanted to roleplay that LOL... he is to funny. He also said he is so happy to

see me happy.

Kristie

> From: sweetgemlady656@...

> Date: 2005/11/02 Wed AM 06:09:15 PST

> To: gastric-bypass-support-kaiser-patients

> Subject: Re: One more hoop jumped!

>

> HI Cathy,

> Those of us who have been back to the psych dept usually go back there

> because of issues that were left unresolved before surgery. I am 2 and a half

> years out from surgery and have lost 122 pounds. Since I had my surgery I

find

> that I still in the constant struggle with my issues that caused me to

> eventually become morbid obese. It is harder once you have surgery to deal

with the

> problems because you can no longer look to the comfort foods.

> I have been a part of this group almost since it was started and I have gone

> through all of the different feelings that so many have stated. In the

> beginning so enthusiastic about everything and losing weight so dramatically

> which was great but then there came a point in my life where I stopped losing

> weight and started to gain a bit back. For myself it is an everyday struggle

> with me. My problems at home came back tenfold and were getting harder to

deal

> with as time went on. I was getting to the point where I felt like I didn't

> even have the energy to go to the gym or even go to see my friends. Alarm

> bells did go off in my head and I sought help. I can't really say you should

go

> back there to show them how much you have lost but rather go there to seek

> their help if you still have issues with whatever is was that got you to the

> point where you needed to have the surgery. I am glad that I did go back

there

> for that reason. Since I have been back I have been given more tools to use

> to help me in my struggle and with my depression. I have been going there for

> a couple of months and been on Wellbutrin for about a month. I am finally

> getting my life back and going out and enjoying the things I once enjoyed.

> Here it is a great group with so many people who are in so many different

> stages of the game and it is great to read about how well they are doing. But

I

> am sure there are many who are faced with still the problems and struggles of

> what ever it was that lead us down this road. I also encourage those who are

> silent and struggling to speak up about what is going on in your lives and

> look for support. I think that reaching out is so hard sometimes and exposing

> my weakness is so hard at times because the fear of being attacked and

> criticized or being considered a failure because I can't suck it up and

follow the

> guidelines.

> As it has been said so many times before Gastric Bypass is stomach surgery

> and not Brain Surgery.

> Ramona

>

November 3, 2005

Kristie,

The Couples Communications class through Kaiser is wonderful also. It even helped my husband with better communications, and he's one with high anxiety and depression, and of course this class can't help people with clinical depression. This class teaches couples and a single person can't go, and it does cost. The teacher we had was great she had a degree in counseling, life style changes, and works in the psych department in W.C.. The class taught about Relationship Stages, Listening Skills, Building Communication Strengths, Understanding the barriers, Respecting yourself and the one you with, Why we shouldn't give verbal attacks, and more. There was class participation, and homework, but not hard just practicing what you learned in class and leaving love (thank you notes) when to appreciate your partner and more. It should me how to be a better listener. Sounds like things are good for you now anyways, so keep up the good

work, and enjoy the new you. Donnahollotwomn@... wrote:

> I am not going to the same psych I went to for WLS but my husband and I have been going to a counselor since before my surgery. He was not in favor of me having surgery and I know that the divorce rate seems to be high for WLS patients. We have been married 14 years and have 2 beautiful children he was just so against this. Going to counseling has opened our communication and helped him see why I wanted this surgery. Now everyday he says he is so glad I stuck to my guns about what I wanted for MY body. We just got back from a walk together he is enjoying me being phsycially active. He also told the counselor (which embarassed me by the way) that its pretty cool every night when he goes to bed he feels like he is in bed with a new woman and its his wife, he said he wanted to roleplay that LOL... he is to funny. He also said he is so happy to see me happy. Kristie

> Date: 2005/11/02 Wed AM 06:09:15 PST> To: gastric-bypass-support-kaiser-patients > Subject: Re: One more hoop jumped!> > HI Cathy,> Those of us who have been back to the psych dept usually go back there > because of issues that were left unresolved before surgery. I am 2 and a half > years out from surgery and have lost 122 pounds. Since I had my surgery I find > that I still in the constant struggle with my issues that caused me to > eventually become morbid obese. It is harder once you have surgery to deal with the > problems because you can no longer look to the comfort foods. > I have been a part of this group almost since it was started and I have gone > through all of the different feelings that so many have stated. In the

> beginning so enthusiastic about everything and losing weight so dramatically > which was great but then there came a point in my life where I stopped losing > weight and started to gain a bit back. For myself it is an everyday struggle > with me. My problems at home came back tenfold and were getting harder to deal > with as time went on. I was getting to the point where I felt like I didn't > even have the energy to go to the gym or even go to see my friends. Alarm > bells did go off in my head and I sought help. I can't really say you should go > back there to show them how much you have lost but rather go there to seek > their help if you still have issues with whatever is was that got you to the > point where you needed to have the surgery. I am glad that I did go back there > for that reason. Since I have been back I have

been given more tools to use > to help me in my struggle and with my depression. I have been going there for > a couple of months and been on Wellbutrin for about a month. I am finally > getting my life back and going out and enjoying the things I once enjoyed. > Here it is a great group with so many people who are in so many different > stages of the game and it is great to read about how well they are doing. But I > am sure there are many who are faced with still the problems and struggles of > what ever it was that lead us down this road. I also encourage those who are > silent and struggling to speak up about what is going on in your lives and > look for support. I think that reaching out is so hard sometimes and exposing > my weakness is so hard at times because the fear of being attacked and > criticized or being considered a failure

because I can't suck it up and follow the > guidelines. > As it has been said so many times before Gastric Bypass is stomach surgery > and not Brain Surgery.> Ramona> > Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

November 3, 2005

Kristie,

Are you going to a psych counselor thru Kaiser, or outside (private)?

I can see myself wanting to do something like that - my DH is against

the surgery, although he says it's my decision and he'll support me.

But I know it puts a lot of stress on a relationship, and it might be

good to have some outside support.

Cathy C.

>

> > I am not going to the same psych I went to for WLS but my husband

and I have been going to a counselor since before my surgery. He was

not in favor of me having surgery and I know that the divorce rate

seems to be high for WLS patients. We have been married 14 years and

have 2 beautiful children he was just so against this. Going to

counseling has opened our communication and helped him see why I

wanted this surgery. Now everyday he says he is so glad I stuck to my

guns about what I wanted for MY body. We just got back from a walk

together he is enjoying me being phsycially active. He also told the

counselor (which embarassed me by the way) that its pretty cool every

night when he goes to bed he feels like he is in bed with a new woman

and its his wife, he said he wanted to roleplay that LOL... he is to

funny. He also said he is so happy to see me happy.

>

> Kristie

>

> > From: sweetgemlady656@a...

> > Date: 2005/11/02 Wed AM 06:09:15 PST

> > To: gastric-bypass-support-kaiser-patients

> > Subject: Re: One more

hoop jumped!

> >

> > HI Cathy,

> > Those of us who have been back to the psych dept usually go back

there

> > because of issues that were left unresolved before surgery. I am

2 and a half

> > years out from surgery and have lost 122 pounds. Since I had my

surgery I find

> > that I still in the constant struggle with my issues that caused

me to

> > eventually become morbid obese. It is harder once you have

surgery to deal with the

> > problems because you can no longer look to the comfort foods.

> > I have been a part of this group almost since it was started and

I have gone

> > through all of the different feelings that so many have stated.

In the

> > beginning so enthusiastic about everything and losing weight so

dramatically

> > which was great but then there came a point in my life where I

stopped losing

> > weight and started to gain a bit back. For myself it is an

everyday struggle

> > with me. My problems at home came back tenfold and were getting

harder to deal

> > with as time went on. I was getting to the point where I felt

like I didn't

> > even have the energy to go to the gym or even go to see my

friends. Alarm

> > bells did go off in my head and I sought help. I can't really

say you should go

> > back there to show them how much you have lost but rather go

there to seek

> > their help if you still have issues with whatever is was that

got you to the

> > point where you needed to have the surgery. I am glad that I did

go back there

> > for that reason. Since I have been back I have been given more

tools to use

> > to help me in my struggle and with my depression. I have been

going there for

> > a couple of months and been on Wellbutrin for about a month. I

am finally

> > getting my life back and going out and enjoying the things I

once enjoyed.

> > Here it is a great group with so many people who are in so many

different

> > stages of the game and it is great to read about how well they

are doing. But I

> > am sure there are many who are faced with still the problems and

struggles of

> > what ever it was that lead us down this road. I also encourage

those who are

> > silent and struggling to speak up about what is going on in your

lives and

> > look for support. I think that reaching out is so hard sometimes

and exposing

> > my weakness is so hard at times because the fear of being

attacked and

> > criticized or being considered a failure because I can't suck it

up and follow the

> > guidelines.

> > As it has been said so many times before Gastric Bypass is

stomach surgery

> > and not Brain Surgery.

> > Ramona

> >

>

November 3, 2005

Cathy C.

My husband was for it, then when I lost 42 pounds before surgery, he then said he didn't understand why I just didn't keep the weight lose going like I was. My health problems where bad and plus I've lost and regained many times over and I knew this is what I had to do for me. Do what you can to get your DH to understand. I had mine attend orientation, and every single appointment I had all the way until my 6 month post op class. This gave him a better understanding of things and thank god he didn't have any depression bouts at that time. So I do understand and hope things work out with that man of yours. DonnaCathy wrote:

Kristie,Are you going to a psych counselor thru Kaiser, or outside (private)? I can see myself wanting to do something like that - my DH is against the surgery, although he says it's my decision and he'll support me. But I know it puts a lot of stress on a relationship, and it might be good to have some outside support.Cathy C.>> > > I am not going to the same psych I went to for WLS but my husband and I have been going to a counselor since before my surgery. He was not in favor of me having surgery and I know that the divorce rate seems to be high for WLS patients. We have been married 14 years and have 2 beautiful children he was just so against this. Going to counseling has opened our communication and

helped him see why I wanted this surgery. Now everyday he says he is so glad I stuck to my guns about what I wanted for MY body. We just got back from a walk together he is enjoying me being phsycially active. He also told the counselor (which embarassed me by the way) that its pretty cool every night when he goes to bed he feels like he is in bed with a new woman and its his wife, he said he wanted to roleplay that LOL... he is to funny. He also said he is so happy to see me happy. > > Kristie > > > > > > From: sweetgemlady656@a...> > Date: 2005/11/02 Wed AM 06:09:15 PST> > To: gastric-bypass-support-kaiser-patients > > Subject: Re: One more hoop jumped!> > > > HI Cathy,> > Those of us who have been back to the psych dept usually go back there > > because of issues

that were left unresolved before surgery. I am 2 and a half > > years out from surgery and have lost 122 pounds. Since I had my surgery I find > > that I still in the constant struggle with my issues that caused me to > > eventually become morbid obese. It is harder once you have surgery to deal with the > > problems because you can no longer look to the comfort foods. > > I have been a part of this group almost since it was started and I have gone > > through all of the different feelings that so many have stated. In the > > beginning so enthusiastic about everything and losing weight so dramatically > > which was great but then there came a point in my life where I stopped losing > > weight and started to gain a bit back. For myself it is an everyday struggle > > with me. My

problems at home came back tenfold and were getting harder to deal > > with as time went on. I was getting to the point where I felt like I didn't > > even have the energy to go to the gym or even go to see my friends. Alarm > > bells did go off in my head and I sought help. I can't really say you should go > > back there to show them how much you have lost but rather go there to seek > > their help if you still have issues with whatever is was that got you to the > > point where you needed to have the surgery. I am glad that I did go back there > > for that reason. Since I have been back I have been given more tools to use > > to help me in my struggle and with my depression. I have been going there for > > a couple of months and been on Wellbutrin for about a month. I am finally >

> getting my life back and going out and enjoying the things I once enjoyed. > > Here it is a great group with so many people who are in so many different > > stages of the game and it is great to read about how well they are doing. But I > > am sure there are many who are faced with still the problems and struggles of > > what ever it was that lead us down this road. I also encourage those who are > > silent and struggling to speak up about what is going on in your lives and > > look for support. I think that reaching out is so hard sometimes and exposing > > my weakness is so hard at times because the fear of being attacked and > > criticized or being considered a failure because I can't suck it up and follow the > > guidelines. > > As it has been said so many times before Gastric Bypass is

stomach surgery > > and not Brain Surgery.> > Ramona> > > >>Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

November 3, 2005

I am going through Kaiser base. It is an independent person but he does Kaiser.

It has been very beneficial... It was hard to do at first but there were other

things going on and then with the surgery it was to much. Good luck, and if you

have any questions feel free to email me personally.

Kristie

>

> Date: 2005/11/03 Thu PM 05:49:07 PST