New Changes for the Mini-Gastric Bypass

[Guest guest]

It is my opinion that a psych. evaluation should be necessary as part of the

surgery procedure. It increases ones awareness of the seriousness of the

procedure. Since having the MGB I now look back on my outlook on life, and

yes, there was depression due to my obesity. When you become as large as I

was, you do have issues. Post-op, it is important to have a relationship

with someone so that should you not know how to deal with this emptyness in

your life that food filled, you will have a support system in place. I know

for me, my insurance company requirred it as part of their referral approval

process to make sure since this was an elective procedure versus a " necessary

life saving " surgery that I was making a rational decision. Then again, to

me, having the surgery was the " necessary life saving " procedure that changed

my life forever!

[Guest guest]

Dr Rutledge,

I think the psyche evaluation is a good idea due in part to the therapists

play a little devils advocate with patients and may bring up relevant

questions regarding the surgery. I have been seeing a therapist for a year,

I really appreciated the input even though it was not always wanted to hear.

I believe she sees how dedicated I am to this and doing it right that she is

going to be one of my best cheerleaders! I also think it makes other doctors

feel as if your care involves not just the physical aspect of this surgery

but also involves the emotional.I know that my therapist was impressed that

you recognized the need for this evaluation and asked that the patients need

it. You may only find one in 500 that need it but I think it would be well

worth it to take the extra time with one to avoid problems in your AND their

futures. I hope this has helped! Thanks for the advice on the weekend, Paige

Windahl, North Dakota

>

>Reply-To: MiniGastricBypassonelist

>To: " MiniGastricBypassonelist (DOT) com " <MiniGastricBypassonelist>

>Subject: New Changes for the Mini-Gastric Bypass

>Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 06:03:49 -0400

>

>

>

>

>Hello,

>

>I am asking for advice.

>

>Over the past year I have been asking all of my patients to see a

>psychiatrist prior to surgery. for many years before that I did not require

>a psychiatric evaluation unless I felt it was needed or if it was required

>by the insurance company.

>

>I am reviewing our results for the past year and my impression is that only

>a few people have needed the psych eval.

>

>What do you think about this issue?

>

>

>RR

>

> Rutledge, M.D., F.A.C.S.

>The Center for Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery

>4301 Ben lin Blvd.

>P. O. Box 15698

>Durham, North Carolina 27704

>Telephone #:

>Fax #:

>E mail: Dr_Rutledge@...

>(Note: There is an “_” between

>the Dr and Rutledge:)

>Web site: http://clos.net

>Durham Regional Hospital:

>

>Also, Please consider joining one of the

>Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing Lists

>at http://www.onelist.com

>MiniGastircBypass is a general " Wide Open "

> discussion of the Mini-Gastric Bypass

>MGB-Tech is for technical questions and

> answers

>MGB-PostOp is for post op patients and

> others

>MGB-Friends is for " Chatting "

>

>Talk with lots of other Pre and Post Op

> patients and friends.

>Keep up to date on the latest news about

> the Mini-Gastric Bypass.

>

>

>

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

i agree with Cheryl. Knowing the kind of support available to me Is a good

feeling.

Also, this list allows you to see the attitudes that some people have.. It

has been very obvious over the last 3 months that some people need

psychiatric care in addition to evaluation

on the other side +3

Bill

[Guest guest]

Hello Dr. Rutledge,

I believe that you are a good judge of character. I feel that you

should only require a psych evaluation, when you feel it is necessary. I

have a great support network. My family, friends, church family. I am an

associate minister, when I have problems I pray about it. I also have a

wonderful Pastor that is very compassionate, and great to talk to. Please,

if I can be spared from the Psych Evaluation, It would be a great relief.

Please let me know ASAP.

Thanks In Advance,

Rulinda F. Purcell

rpurcell@...

New Changes for the Mini-Gastric Bypass

>

>

>

> Hello,

>

> I am asking for advice.

>

> Over the past year I have been asking all of my patients to see a

> psychiatrist prior to surgery. for many years before that I did not

require

> a psychiatric evaluation unless I felt it was needed or if it was required

> by the insurance company.

>

> I am reviewing our results for the past year and my impression is that

only

> a few people have needed the psych eval.

>

> What do you think about this issue?

>

>

> RR

>

> Rutledge, M.D., F.A.C.S.

> The Center for Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery

> 4301 Ben lin Blvd.

> P. O. Box 15698

> Durham, North Carolina 27704

> Telephone #:

> Fax #:

> E mail: Dr_Rutledge@...

> (Note: There is an " _ " between

> the Dr and Rutledge:)

> Web site: http://clos.net

> Durham Regional Hospital:

>

> Also, Please consider joining one of the

> Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing Lists

> at http://www.onelist.com

> MiniGastircBypass is a general " Wide Open "

> discussion of the Mini-Gastric Bypass

> MGB-Tech is for technical questions and

> answers

> MGB-PostOp is for post op patients and

> others

> MGB-Friends is for " Chatting "

>

> Talk with lots of other Pre and Post Op

> patients and friends.

> Keep up to date on the latest news about

> the Mini-Gastric Bypass.

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Dr. R,

My two cents on the psych. eval. are that it can't hurt. I think it's more

of a help than a hinderance. It sets up a line of communication that may not

have been there previously so that if there are any issues post-op it gives

us someone to talk to. As terrified as I was about going for a psych. eval.

I'm glad it was a requirement. It made me think about what I was doing in

more detail. And if it ever gets to the point that I feel I need

professional help I'll know who to go to. Just my thoughts on the topic.

79 lbs gone forever!

Surgery 3/25/99

[Guest guest]

,

I personally went through my companies Special Health Services Department

which is specifically for any employee that needs to see a pysch. due to

stress, family situations, depression, etc. I contacted our main office in

New York and the woman in charge was able to pick someone who would best

benefit me for my particular situation. By the way, she did a wonderful job

of putting me with someone very good. Unfortunatley, I don't think everyone

has a special department like this to go to for help. Hope this helps a

little,

[Guest guest]

stevie,

maybe i'm being too presumptious here, but maybe you

should walk away.......and find another dr who does

'get it'. she's there to help you and doesn't seem to be

doing a good job of it. I know from my experience that

there are therapists out there who can help both with the

evaluation and just having someone who is not there

to judge but rather to listen. Or maybe Cheryl and I

were lucky. She chose the therapist and i just followed

along.

karen

25 days to the other side

[Guest guest]

Dr. R,

My personal opinion.....I do not think I needed the psych evaluation prior to

surgery though I am glad I did go to one. I think that I may possibly need

counseling after surgery because of the need to fill that void that food was

filling for me. I did not feel this way prior to checking into surgery but

as I get closer to a surgery date that question does arise in my mind, what

do I do when I no longer enjoy eating as much as did? I did not realize that

food was filling a void until I try to imagine not eating as much and it does

make me realize that food is important to me for some reason, though I really

don't know why. It is a little scary for me to think of not being able to

eat what I want, when I want it, and in what amount I want. Due to this I

did go back to the psych I saw for the original evaluation and I am now in

counseling for this.

While the thought of seeing a psychiatrist in the beginning sounded so " way

out " there to me, I am now glad that I did. There are so many emotional

issues attached to being obese. There is a lot of pain stemming from being

obese. Maybe those things are the things that have to be dealt with

afterward. I have thought to myself, even though I may be a much thinner

person after surgery, I will still just be the same old me that I have always

been on the inside except for the fact that maybe now I will be much more

confident and have a high self esteem.

But for me, I don't think the psych evaluation was necessary prior to surgery

but I do think it is important that it be an accessible avenue after surgery.

Just my two cents...

in AL

[Guest guest]

Hear hear! Rulinda! I too have a great support network and I think that's the

most important thing..it doesn't have to be a Dr. The only people I would

recommend have a psych clearance are those who have been on meds or treated

for disorders and for people like that woman that had so many complications a

few months ago that scared the list and she turned out not to be " truthful " to

Dr R in the psych area and had no support network during recovery.THOSE types

I would strongly think need a pysch support....

S

-- Begin original message --

>

> Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 06:59:59 -0700

> Subject: Re: New Changes for the Mini-Gastric Bypass

> To: <MiniGastricBypassonelist>

> Reply-to: MiniGastricBypassonelist

>

>

>

> Hello Dr. Rutledge,

> I believe that you are a good judge of character. I feel that you

> should only require a psych evaluation, when you feel it is necessary. I

> have a great support network. My family, friends, church family. I am an

> associate minister, when I have problems I pray about it. I also have a

> wonderful Pastor that is very compassionate, and great to talk to. Please,

> if I can be spared from the Psych Evaluation, It would be a great relief.

> Please let me know ASAP.

> Thanks In Advance,

> Rulinda F. Purcell

> rpurcell@...

> New Changes for the Mini-Gastric Bypass

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> > Hello,

> >

> > I am asking for advice.

> >

> > Over the past year I have been asking all of my patients to see a

> > psychiatrist prior to surgery. for many years before that I did not

> require

> > a psychiatric evaluation unless I felt it was needed or if it was required

> > by the insurance company.

> >

> > I am reviewing our results for the past year and my impression is that

> only

> > a few people have needed the psych eval.

> >

> > What do you think about this issue?

> >

> >

> > RR

> >

> > Rutledge, M.D., F.A.C.S.

> > The Center for Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery

> > 4301 Ben lin Blvd.

> > P. O. Box 15698

> > Durham, North Carolina 27704

> > Telephone #:

> > Fax #:

> > E mail: Dr_Rutledge@...

> > (Note: There is an " _ " between

> > the Dr and Rutledge:)

> > Web site: http://clos.net

> > Durham Regional Hospital:

> >

> > Also, Please consider joining one of the

> > Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing Lists

> > at http://www.onelist.com

> > MiniGastircBypass is a general " Wide Open "

> > discussion of the Mini-Gastric Bypass

> > MGB-Tech is for technical questions and

> > answers

> > MGB-PostOp is for post op patients and

> > others

> > MGB-Friends is for " Chatting "

> >

> > Talk with lots of other Pre and Post Op

> > patients and friends.

> > Keep up to date on the latest news about

> > the Mini-Gastric Bypass.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Dr. R,

I agree with Rulinda. It seems like it might not be necessary for those of us

who have a strong support group. For those patients who might not, I agree

with Cheryl's opinion. I know many of us (myself included) have been in

depression over our weight and regularly see someone already. In that case, I

think our records should be all that is required at first. And after

reviewing them, you could decide if we need an evaluation. I just received an

email from Debbie stating that my Pschy sent my records with no letter of

evaluation. When I set up my appt. I forgot to say it was for an evaluation

and thus, didn't have enough time allotted. I explained everything to her and

she said she would write a note to the file. But, if I need more than that,

please let me know and I will have to schedule another visit with her. The

problem with this is that sometimes it takes a while to get in to see her.

Please let me know if you decide this is not necessary.

Charmane in Orlando

[Guest guest]

My question is about the psych evaluation. How did anyone go about finding a

psychiatrist? Just a referral from your personal physician or the yellow pages?

I am afraid that they won't like the idea of the surgery and I will not get a

good evaluation.

CmacyM@... wrote:

> From: CmacyM@...

>

> Dr. R,

>

> My two cents on the psych. eval. are that it can't hurt. I think it's more

> of a help than a hinderance. It sets up a line of communication that may not

> have been there previously so that if there are any issues post-op it gives

> us someone to talk to. As terrified as I was about going for a psych. eval.

> I'm glad it was a requirement. It made me think about what I was doing in

> more detail. And if it ever gets to the point that I feel I need

> professional help I'll know who to go to. Just my thoughts on the topic.

>

>

> 79 lbs gone forever!

> Surgery 3/25/99

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

For me, seeing a therapist was simply reaffirming what I had planned and

grappled with for the last 3 years. I do not believe that Dr Reid raised a

single issue I had not already discussed and pondered. But then I am the

detail queen and I have always planned my life in stages. Always have

explored as much as possible what the issues are in as much detail as

possible, long before I have to make a decision. I think that a blanket

approach is fine from a legal standpoint to -for lack of better

shorthand-CYA. However the fact is you are a professional and have enough

experience that you can judge with a simple conversation who you are dealing

with. I think you can pretty much call it and I would bet you are right

99.9% of the times. Not everyone needs it. For some it is simply pro forma.

The indicator might very well be the response to a question like: " When was

the first time you actually considered this surgery for yourself? " A

yesterday answer would definitely require a consult. An answer like 2/3/4

years ago, might not. Trust yourself Dr R, your instincts are quite good.

Sincerely,

Silvana Goldstein

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr. Rutledge,

I am a RN medical case manager in FL; many of our orthopedic surgeons doing

anterior-posterior spinal fusions etc. required a psychiatric eval. until

the past year. At this time this requirement is decreasing as a set rule and

done only occassionally on a prn basis. Hope this helps.

AmberR/FL

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dr. Rutledge

I really don't think a psychiatric evaluation is very

meaningful. No psychiatrist will really know anything

you don't chose to share in a one hour consultation

On the other hand, I think it is very important that

everyone understand that depression is a possibility

and have a plan in advance to detect the signs of

depression and to do something about it in case it

does occur.

Jeanette Szwec

--- " Rutledge.M.D., F.A.C.S. "

wrote:

> From: " Rutledge.M.D., F.A.C.S. "

>

>

>

> Hello,

>

> I am asking for advice.

>

> Over the past year I have been asking all of my

> patients to see a

> psychiatrist prior to surgery. for many years before

> that I did not require

> a psychiatric evaluation unless I felt it was needed

> or if it was required

> by the insurance company.

>

> I am reviewing our results for the past year and my

> impression is that only

> a few people have needed the psych eval.

>

> What do you think about this issue?

>

>

> RR

>

> Rutledge, M.D., F.A.C.S.

> The Center for Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery

> 4301 Ben lin Blvd.

> P. O. Box 15698

> Durham, North Carolina 27704

> Telephone #:

> Fax #:

> E mail: Dr_Rutledge@...

>

> (Note: There is an “_” between

> the Dr and Rutledge:)

> Web site: http://clos.net

> Durham Regional Hospital:

>

> Also, Please consider joining one of the

> Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing Lists

> at http://www.onelist.com

> MiniGastircBypass is a general " Wide Open "

> discussion of the Mini-Gastric Bypass

> MGB-Tech is for technical questions and

> answers

> MGB-PostOp is for post op patients and

> others

> MGB-Friends is for " Chatting "

>

> Talk with lots of other Pre and Post Op

> patients and friends.

> Keep up to date on the latest news about

> the Mini-Gastric Bypass.

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Dr. R & everyone,

Well here is my take on the matter.....Please remember it is just my .02.....

Although, I do think that some may need to be evaluated prior to sugery, I do

not think it should be required for all....

IMO, a gastric bypass is needed for the morbidly obese person just like a

heart bypass is needed for a heart patient....We need this operation to help

correct our DISEASE....

Now granted, alot of us do have emotional issues that are tied up with a

lifetime of obesity....myself included.... & I think that it is important to

get help if & when we choose to do so....but prior to having other surgeries

there isn't an evaluation to see if the person is stable....To require one

for us implys that obesity is an emotional problem....That is simply not

true(IMO)....

If the person already has a history of depression & such, then yes, I would

think an evaluation should be a part of the preop testing.....

Take care,

Beth H

(Kernersville)

MGB April 13,98

[Guest guest]

,

It seems like it'll take forever, but I think no matter how long it takes

when we look back at it after the fact it flies right by. At least that's

how I felt about the whole process. I had surgery on March 25th, 1999. So

it's been just about 4 months. I'm doing great! I've lost 80 lbs since

surgery and I've gone from a size 24 to a size 16 (YES...you read right...I

went to KMart and bought a pair of size 16 jeans today!). I had to gloat for

just a second there...sorry! Good luck with the insurance approval and

the psych eval. I'm sure everything will go great for you! Keep me posted

on everything going on with you!

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much. I am proceeding with my company insurance psychs and if I am

not happy with those results I guess I will go to the yellow pages. Thanks so

much. I am so anxious and it seems that it is going to take so long to get all

the things done including insurance approval. Have you had your surgery? How

was it and how are you doing now? Regards,

CmacyM@... wrote:

> From: CmacyM@...

>

> ,

>

> I personally went through my companies Special Health Services Department

> which is specifically for any employee that needs to see a pysch. due to

> stress, family situations, depression, etc. I contacted our main office in

> New York and the woman in charge was able to pick someone who would best

> benefit me for my particular situation. By the way, she did a wonderful job

> of putting me with someone very good. Unfortunatley, I don't think everyone

> has a special department like this to go to for help. Hope this helps a

> little,

>

>

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

I think you have gone above and beyond with this psych thing. Do you really

feel it

was necessary? Are you glad you had to have the psych evaluation? I am going

to make

an appointment with one of my insurance provider psychs but I haven't been able

to

find out if they even know what I am talking about. Most of the ones I have

contacted

thus far seem to think that diet is the answer, of course, along with continued

visits

to them. I have been the diet route for the past 30 years and I have also done

the

counseling thing and I don't want to waste another year of my life feeling like

this

and being a failure again. I am going into this one positively and going to

educate

the psych immediately and proceed with a consumed consent attitude. I will let

you

know how it goes. Regards,

Stevie wrote:

> From: stevie@... (Stevie)

>

> :

> I wish I had called around and gotten one appointment with a psych who

supported

> (or at least wouldn't pooh-pooh gastric surgery or elective surgery) and then

paid

> for it out of pocket and be done with it. Instead, i was at the mercy of my

> insurance, who will pay for it, but only if you use one of theirs. Well, in

all

> honesty, theirs stink! They are Sw at best, and the one I ended up with is

only

> because she didn't say no or haveprobelms with elective surgery, but was the

only

> one available! No one else wanted to take my insurance (even though they were

> recommneded by insurance co) because the insurance co pays them so very little

> back it was like working for free! One place actually told me they had no more

> room for " pro bono " patients at that time! And I should have listened to the

psych

> who told me NOT to go with who I chose..She actually described her as

" strange " ...

> So here I am, months into therapy visits where all I do is vent about what my

boss

> did that week that drove me crazy and still no letter for Dr. R.

> You tell me if it wouldn't have been better to just call up someone in the

yellow

> pages, say, " hey, will you give me a psych eval for elective surgery? " and

then be

> done with it?!

> Yikes!

>

> Stevie

>

> -- Begin original message --

>

> >

> > Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 15:23:36 -0400

> > Subject: Re: New Changes for the Mini-Gastric Bypass

> > To: MiniGastricBypassonelist

> > Reply-to: MiniGastricBypassonelist

> >

> >

> >

> > My question is about the psych evaluation. How did anyone go about finding

a

> > psychiatrist? Just a referral from your personal physician or the yellow

pages?

> > I am afraid that they won't like the idea of the surgery and I will not get

a

> > good evaluation.

> >

> > CmacyM@... wrote:

> >

> > > From: CmacyM@...

> > >

> > > Dr. R,

> > >

> > > My two cents on the psych. eval. are that it can't hurt. I think it's

more

> > > of a help than a hinderance. It sets up a line of communication that may

not

> > > have been there previously so that if there are any issues post-op it

gives

> > > us someone to talk to. As terrified as I was about going for a psych.

eval.

> > > I'm glad it was a requirement. It made me think about what I was doing in

> > > more detail. And if it ever gets to the point that I feel I need

> > > professional help I'll know who to go to. Just my thoughts on the topic.

> > >

> > >

> > > 79 lbs gone forever!

> > > Surgery 3/25/99

> > >

> > > ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Thanks. I checked with my insurance today and am making an appointment. Hope

it goes

well. I am trying to get all this stuff done quickly as I am so anxious. Have

you

had your surgery? How did it go? If not, when do you plan on having it?

Regards,

Beth Sorensen wrote:

>

>

> I asked my PCP for a name. Also call your insurance company & see if

> they have a list of " approved " people. I forgot to do that & ended up

> having to pay for it myself. Beth

>

> ACDA/Jim and Tucker wrote:

> >

> >

> >

> > My question is about the psych evaluation. How did anyone go about finding

a

> > psychiatrist? Just a referral from your personal physician or the yellow

pages?

> > I am afraid that they won't like the idea of the surgery and I will not get

a

> > good evaluation.

> >

> > CmacyM@... wrote:

> >

> > > From: CmacyM@...

> > >

> > > Dr. R,

> > >

> > > My two cents on the psych. eval. are that it can't hurt. I think it's

more

> > > of a help than a hinderance. It sets up a line of communication that may

not

> > > have been there previously so that if there are any issues post-op it

gives

> > > us someone to talk to. As terrified as I was about going for a psych.

eval.

> > > I'm glad it was a requirement. It made me think about what I was doing in

> > > more detail. And if it ever gets to the point that I feel I need

> > > professional help I'll know who to go to. Just my thoughts on the topic.

> > >

> > >

> > > 79 lbs gone forever!

> > > Surgery 3/25/99

> > >

> > > ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

; Yes, I had my surgery April 20, 1999. I did very well & feel

very good. I've lost 51 lbs in 3 months ( & 33 inches!). Slower than

some, but I'm ok with it now. Good luck. Beth

ACDA/Jim and Tucker wrote:

>

>

>

> Thanks. I checked with my insurance today and am making an appointment. Hope

it goes

> well. I am trying to get all this stuff done quickly as I am so anxious.

Have you

> had your surgery? How did it go? If not, when do you plan on having it?

Regards,

>

>

> Beth Sorensen wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > I asked my PCP for a name. Also call your insurance company & see if

> > they have a list of " approved " people. I forgot to do that & ended up

> > having to pay for it myself. Beth

> >

> > ACDA/Jim and Tucker wrote:

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > My question is about the psych evaluation. How did anyone go about

finding a

> > > psychiatrist? Just a referral from your personal physician or the yellow

pages?

> > > I am afraid that they won't like the idea of the surgery and I will not

get a

> > > good evaluation.

> > >

> > > CmacyM@... wrote:

> > >

> > > > From: CmacyM@...

> > > >

> > > > Dr. R,

> > > >

> > > > My two cents on the psych. eval. are that it can't hurt. I think it's

more

> > > > of a help than a hinderance. It sets up a line of communication that

may not

> > > > have been there previously so that if there are any issues post-op it

gives

> > > > us someone to talk to. As terrified as I was about going for a psych.

eval.

> > > > I'm glad it was a requirement. It made me think about what I was doing

in

> > > > more detail. And if it ever gets to the point that I feel I need

> > > > professional help I'll know who to go to. Just my thoughts on the

topic.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > 79 lbs gone forever!

> > > > Surgery 3/25/99

> > > >

> > > > ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

THat may seem slow to you now but it sounds terrific to me. Have you had any

problems? Are

you able to eat the things that appeal to you? Also, how long did you stay on

liquids. Dr.

R was telling me that the longer you stay with liquids and soft foods the better

and faster

you lose. Most people I have talked to haven't stayed with liquids that long

and still have

had excellent results.

How long was it before you were up and about after the surgery? I am getting my

insurance

approval now and will be scheduling the surgery soon and am really trying to

plan the recup

period. Thanks.

Beth Sorensen wrote:

>

>

> ; Yes, I had my surgery April 20, 1999. I did very well & feel

> very good. I've lost 51 lbs in 3 months ( & 33 inches!). Slower than

> some, but I'm ok with it now. Good luck. Beth

>

> ACDA/Jim and Tucker wrote:

> >

> >

> >

> > Thanks. I checked with my insurance today and am making an appointment.

Hope it goes

> > well. I am trying to get all this stuff done quickly as I am so anxious.

Have you

> > had your surgery? How did it go? If not, when do you plan on having it?

Regards,

> >

> >

> > Beth Sorensen wrote:

> >

> > >

> > >

> > > I asked my PCP for a name. Also call your insurance company & see if

> > > they have a list of " approved " people. I forgot to do that & ended up

> > > having to pay for it myself. Beth

> > >

> > > ACDA/Jim and Tucker wrote:

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > My question is about the psych evaluation. How did anyone go about

finding a

> > > > psychiatrist? Just a referral from your personal physician or the

yellow pages?

> > > > I am afraid that they won't like the idea of the surgery and I will not

get a

> > > > good evaluation.

> > > >

> > > > CmacyM@... wrote:

> > > >

> > > > > From: CmacyM@...

> > > > >

> > > > > Dr. R,

> > > > >

> > > > > My two cents on the psych. eval. are that it can't hurt. I think it's

more

> > > > > of a help than a hinderance. It sets up a line of communication that

may not

> > > > > have been there previously so that if there are any issues post-op it

gives

> > > > > us someone to talk to. As terrified as I was about going for a psych.

eval.

> > > > > I'm glad it was a requirement. It made me think about what I was

doing in

> > > > > more detail. And if it ever gets to the point that I feel I need

> > > > > professional help I'll know who to go to. Just my thoughts on the

topic.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 79 lbs gone forever!

> > > > > Surgery 3/25/99

> > > > >

> > > > > ---------------------------