Psychological Profiling 4 Bypassers and Banders Please

[shelbell]

I was NHS funded and attended a private hospital and had a comprehensive pre-op psyche assessment and ongoing support afterwards.

 

[Sambucca]

I havent been offered a psyche appointment as part of my pre op assessments. From what I have heard I think it would be useful and I may ask for an appointment when I next go to the hospital on 16th June.

 

[baby jayne]

I haven't been offered either and do think it would be usefull.

 

[Snowcrystal]

i do hope i have not offended any one i was just relaying what my psycologist said to me.ofcourse not everyone needs an evaluation.but during the time i have read minimins there are some members who after reading there storys would have benefited, i say if you get the chance then take it

You have a very good point Eggbat, and I agree wholeheartedly regarding those looking back in retrospect.

However, any wls provider be-it private or NHS would/should have an ethical obligation to provide a counselling or psychological evaluation service before and after wls...After all it (bypass and band) would be a life changing operation.

I think Brunettered mentioned in her case, a doctor can pull the plug if he or she feels that a person seeking wls is not a suitable candidate. How qualified is the surgeon in psychotherapy to make that judgement call? Maybe his experience is all he needs.

Imagine the scenario of a normal, fairly healthy (healthy mentally too) but very overweight individual who gets 'his or her' chosen operation without any evaluation. Would the shock of it send them over the edge?

Yes we are all different, but none of us can truly know how we will feel or re-act to any given situation until we do experience it.

All said, I believe that we all have an opinion, and each opinion should be respected.....even by the doctors and surgeons that we come across in this, our shared journey.

Interesting stuff.

xXx

 

[Brunetteandred]

Can't rep you Snowcrystal, as I need to spread the love around. xx

I am a qualified counsellor and so could argue that I am fairly au fait with various 'issues'. I am also a strong person, but sometimes it can be the most innocuous of things that can tip the balance in the mental scales. If there is one thing I have learned on my journey thus far, it is that I am not infallible and that I needed to be in the right place in my head to face what I was about to undergo.

But pysche sessions are not purely about obvious 'issues'.

Interestingly, Dr. Kendrick says that the most 'dangerous time' for a bariatric patient is 3-4 years post-op, when weight loss has slowed right down, stopped or a desired weight has been reached. It is then that old eating habits can rear their heads and of course, we know what the result of that is. He said he has has thousands of people stand in front of him over the years complaining that 'it hasn't worked', when quite clearly it is the patient hasn't worked at living with a decision that was life changing. The reasons for that will vary from patient-to-patient, but ill preparation is one of the top factors.

 

[Snowcrystal]

Can't rep you Snowcrystal, as I need to spread the love around. xx

I am a qualified counsellor and so could argue that I am fairly au fait with various 'issues'. I am also a strong person, but sometimes it can be the most innocuous of things that can tip the balance in the mental scales. If there is one thing I have learned on my journey thus far, it is that I am not infallible and that I needed to be in the right place in my head to face what I was about to undergo.

But pysche sessions are not purely about obvious 'issues'.

Interestingly, Dr. Kendrick says that the most 'dangerous time' for a bariatric patient is 3-4 years post-op, when weight loss has slowed right down, stopped or a desired weight has been reached. It is then that old eating habits can rear their heads and of course, we know what the result of that is. He said he has has thousands of people stand in front of him over the years complaining that 'it hasn't worked', when quite clearly it is the patient hasn't worked at living with a decision that was life changing. The reasons for that will vary from patient-to-patient, but ill preparation is one of the top factors.

Thank you for a very interesting response...

A great response....from a counsellors perspective it's all about the client...as it should be.

You make the very valid point of being in the right place in your head to have been able to make the right decision for you.

Having any form of either a psych evaluation or some counselling can only help the patient/client make the right decisions for them...this should help the outcome for them further along their journey.

Which brings me to what you say Dr Kendrick says regarding the 3 - 4 year danger zone...How interesting!...This is something I would never have known or considered in my own journey unless someone had told me...I would have ignorantly believed when I first started out on my quest for information on wls that the bypass/band was the cure.

I used to smoke years ago and the hypnotist who helped me quit told me that if I were a 20 a day person, I would always be a 20 a day person regardless of how many years I did not smoke...this sums up addiction...I'm not sure that food is an addiction for every wls patient though.

Knowledge is power and the more informed we are the better decisions we make.

What form of counselling do you use? I studied 'Person Centred Counselling'. I loved what I did, but I had to quit because of personal issue in my own life and could no longer give 100% of myself to others...I meant to get back in the saddle but never did...but I loved it and was very committed at the time.

BTW, what does rep you mean?...I hope it's not a reprimand!...lol.

xXx

 

[Snowcrystal]

After reading Fedups hate shopping post...It does seem to me that there was very little psychological support prior to her her surgery.

I am confused as to the fine line of psychological profiling that befits a Bypasser or a Bander.

Can we list them here please?

Eg: Volumn eater = Bander

I think would be so very helpful to those making up their mind if one or the other is right for them...

Although I think this turned out to be a really interesting thread...Great incite into how some of you feel about the importance of the Psych assessment; But what I was also interested in was how did your pyschs, doctors or councellors categorise 'you' for your band or bypass.

Eg:
Volume Eater = Band
Sweet Food = Bypass
High Fats = ?
Binge Eater = ?



xXx

 

[Brunetteandred]

Although I think this turned out to be a really interesting thread...Great incite into how some of you feel about the importance of the Psych assessment; But what I was also interested in was how did your pyschs, doctors or councellors categorise 'you' for your band or bypass.

Eg:
Volume Eater = Band
Sweet Food = Bypass
High Fats = ?
Binge Eater = ?



xXx

Volume eater = bypass too!
High fats = also bypass!
Binge eater = band & bypass

It's a mine field! How about people who 'graze' through the day?

That is why it is so important to research and discuss at length with the healthcare provider the options and what is best for the individual.

 

[Snowcrystal]

Volume eater = bypass too!
High fats = also bypass!
Binge eater = band & bypass

It's a mine field! How about people who 'graze' through the day?

That is why it is so important to research and discuss at length with the healthcare provider the options and what is best for the individual.

I know, and I am glad I found this place...

I change my mind every day after reading the posts in here now...but not just about whether to ask for band or bypass, but actually whether to have any surgery at all...I'm still at that crossroads...lol.

It's so easy to think of surgery as a 'magic wand' to get the desired end results for vanity and/or health reasons...Coming to this forum you get to hear about the real side...about the ups and downs from start to finish.

I research a lot about the most important things in my life, and I'm sure most other people do that too. But reading about something is one thing and talking to those who have actually had the experience is quite another.

xXx

 

[Snowcrystal]

This is me:

Grazer = Yes(me) (bypass?)
Volume = Yes(me) (band?)
Sweet = Yes(me (bypass?)
Fatty = Yes(me) (bypass?)...This being mostly dairy
Emotional = Sometimes(me) (?)
Social = Yes(me) (band?)...Worse time for me love eating with fam/husband etc.
Chocolate = Yes(me) (bypass?)...I go through phases of eating loads or none at all.
Binge = No(me) (band?)...I don't binge

Of course I have had no surgery and have not seen anyone apart from my GP who did touch on this with me....I have put the maybe's band or bypass because this is how I think they 'could' group me.


~xXx~

 

[FEDup1981]

Sounds like some of you have had very indepth conversations with ur surgeons, about the op, and life after the op and the effects it can have.

Like i said, i didnt meet my surgeon til 1 hr b4 my op, i had his jumped up SHO do my initial app. And when i did see my surgeon twice in the days after the op, he couldnt wait to get off. He might be a skilled surgeon, but he has no manners or time for his patients.

I had a two hour group info session b4 hand, which was more on the types of surgery, and i went to a support group meeting 3 weeks b4 my op.

And thats all ive had in terms of "support".

 

[hopelesscase]

Endocraiologist made my desision for me told me band wasnt even an option as i needed to get the weight off quickly and only the bypass would do it.
for someone who had never considered surgery i found the psych evaluation really helpful as to looking at long term commitment. For me there is nothing more important then my health be it physical, emotional or mental as if any of them fail i would not able to give 100% to anything else. I was made aware of the 3/4 yr danger period and asked what i would do if i was struggling then. My immidiate responce was hopefully i would see the signs before and seek help but either was i would be knocking at the psychs door as i see asking for help being a strength not a failure.
really interesting topic. love it

 

[Snowcrystal]

Hi Fedup

I'm not in a position yet to make an experienced judgement on my own outcome of any assessment for suitability...apart from lengthy chat with my GP and he put me through my paces.

However, it really does seem that your provider never listened to you; They provided a couple of group meetings but never considered you on a personal level.

All the peeps here who have had the experience will be able to give you advice on what to do about this.

But I would most definitely get in touch with your providers and tell them that you are not entirely happy and could benefit from some post op counselling.

As for your doctor, well he might have been trained as a doctor and have plenty of qualifications to back that up but he certainly does not have any 'people skills' at all.....Some trained monkeys are better qualified in this.

Hope you get the outcome you want...Don't give up.

xXx

 

[Snowcrystal]

Endocraiologist made my desision for me told me band wasnt even an option as i needed to get the weight off quickly and only the bypass would do it.
for someone who had never considered surgery i found the psych evaluation really helpful as to looking at long term commitment. For me there is nothing more important then my health be it physical, emotional or mental as if any of them fail i would not able to give 100% to anything else. I was made aware of the 3/4 yr danger period and asked what i would do if i was struggling then. My immidiate responce was hopefully i would see the signs before and seek help but either was i would be knocking at the psychs door as i see asking for help being a strength not a failure.
really interesting topic. love it

Hi HC

I love it too.
It does seem like the care you received was extremely good.

You say you could not have given 100% to anything else...I take this to mean anything else that was not 'permanent'. This is what I keep coming back to in my own self assessment...I need something permanent but although I am a strong person in many ways I know I will need help along the way.

Most of all I think we all need honesty from the providers whether they are private or NHS...Your providers seem to have covered it all...Yes, if you are dedicated to your own cause then you will see the signs and seek the help you need.

It seems like your providers have been really good...And you do look so good......well done.

xXx

xXX

 

[hopelesscase]

Hi HC

I love it too.
It does seem like the care you received was extremely good.

You say you could not have given 100% to anything else...I take this to mean anything else that was not 'permanent'. This is what I keep coming back to in my own self assessment...I need something permanent but although I am a strong person in many ways I know I will need help along the way.

Most of all I think we all need honesty from the providers whether they are private or NHS...Your providers seem to have covered it all...Yes, if you are dedicated to your own cause then you will see the signs and seek the help you need.

It seems like your providers have been really good...And you do look so good......well done.

xXx

xXX

no i mean to life in general

 

[Brunetteandred]

Another factor in your decision making process is whether you want a permanent procedure. A band can be removed, but re-plumbing of the stomach and bowel is much trickier to reverse.

That decision in itself is momentous!

 

[Snowcrystal]

Another factor in your decision making process is whether you want a permanent procedure. A band can be removed, but re-plumbing of the stomach and bowel is much trickier to reverse.

That decision in itself is momentous!

At what point did you make your decision?
How did you know it was right for you?

Sorry for the hundred and one questions but I am so interested...

~X~

 

[Brunetteandred]

At what point did you make your decision?
How did you know it was right for you?

Sorry for the hundred and one questions but I am so interested...

~X~

Keep asking, this is a very good thread!

I had researched and thought about WLS for some 18 months + so before I actually plucked up the courage to speak to my GP for potential referral. I knew that if I undertook it, it really was a 'last chance saloon' for me. Like many obese people, I have yo-yo'd over the years and my health was rapidly declining.

I talked to my GP about a lap band initially, because I knew they were removable and therefore less 'scary' a prospect. However, by the time I got my initial appointment with the bariatric team at Walsall Manor, I had pretty much edged towards bypass because I *knew* I would cheat a band. Bypass can also be abused, but it is trickier and the after-effects can be quite scary.

During consultation with the lead bariatric specialist nurse and the doctor, it became apparent that bypass was the better option for me, in terms of potential cheating and the gravity of my need for permanent change.

I walked out of the hospital having made a firm decision; bypass it was.

Almost 6 weeks on, I am still ok with it and learning to live with it. But I know there will be times I will struggle and that is where support, be it from her, friends, family or professional is crucial.

 

[shellydixon]

hi guys im new to the site and would be grateful for your help on i'm on my last visit in may with the dietician then she is refering me on to t
he hospital could you please give me some idea of what to expect and roughly how long this takes before they decide on your operaton any help would be great

thanks guy
shellyd

 

[BlueDiamond]