Month: October 2016

No pun intended of course…

A few days ago I had my psychology clearance appointment, which was iteresting to say the least.  Now I’ve never been to a psychologist before, the closest I’ve come is in college.  I went to a counselor because I was feeling depressed. She was less than helpful telling me in a nutshell that I had it all together, there was no reason to be depressed and why the heck was I sitting in her office?!  The psychologist was a totally different experience.

It’s very close to Halloween as you all know and in true fashion on the way to this appointment it was pouring out and I was stuck in suburbia hell where every house looked alike and my over-active imagination was thinking I’m walking right into a horror movie.  The receptionist that made the appointment told me the doctor’s office is out of his home and please do not go to the front door, please use the side door.  The office was very quiet very zen and the receptionist, at least I assume she was a receptionist asked for the usual and handed me a clipboard with a packet of papers on it.

Psychological testing is very interesting I fail to see how drawing a house, a tree, or a person is going to get into my head and be able to allow the doc to figure me all out.  The pictures were actually my favorite part of the whole process;  there were also tests for depression and self esteem as well as a complete the scentence questionnaire.

Although the paperwork was very thorough the actual interview was mediocre at best.  When I walked into the reception area there was a woman sitting there who was also heavy and, I shouldn’t assume but did that, she was there for the same thing had already filled out her papers.  She was called in and I’d just started my paperwork figuring it was going to be awhile until she came out.  When I tell you she was in the office for probably 15 minutes that would be generous. I probably finished my papers about 10 minutes or so after the woman before me left and was called into the office about 5 minutes later.

I sat on the proverbial couch to have my head “shrunk” to find that it was more of an interview than a talking session.  Typical medical history questions were asked, if I had support and if I knew exactly what the surgery and post surgical care entailed.  Of course I did and I sat on that couch thinking where are the difficult questions the questions that were supposed to dig into my brain and tell this guy who I was and how I may do with all of this?

Basically this man was Captain Obvious and told me that I was mildly depressed, nothing he thought I needed medication for and that most likely it was due to my weight.  He was of course recommending me for surgery and to see how I felt after I lost weight and if I was still depressed then I could start therapy.  I was maybe in his office for 15 minutes.

You may say to yourself well this doesn’t tell me anything.  Through my experience all I can tell readers who may be thinking about surgery is to be honest when you answer the questions because if you need help presurgery this is a way for your doctors to know so you can get it.  I’m pretty sure those tests have a way deeper meaning and can identify any dysfunction that may exsist in a patients life.  The only other thing I can say is if the doctor finds that you do need presurgery assistance take it seriously and get the help you need it could make a world of difference in your pre and post surgical experience.

Hello all, I know I’ve been bad haven’t posted in awhile.  Motivation and infuriation says quite a bit right now, as does frustration.  Let’s start with motivation, which I do not have on many levels especially to exercise.  I have a very demanding career with long hours and yes I know not an excuse, but most of the time I just want to go home and crash and if I’m off the next day I just want to vegetate on my couch.  No I do not set a good example in getting up and moving.  I have taken some small steps though: parking my car farther away from the building at work and hoofing my behind around to the front entrance instead of the closest entrance, lifting weights while watching TV, as well as using a small stationary elliptical.  I know in the long run this is not enough exercise but it’s a start.  If anyone out there has any motivation tips for me feel free constructive criticism is always welcomed.

Now the frustration comes with trying to train myself to start eating the way I would post surgery.  This no drinking with meals thing is definitely way tougher than it sounds.  Even eating a meal over 30 min is tough.  I mean at home I can consciously make an effort to eat that slowly, but at work I don’t have time to stop and think “hey I’m supposed to eating like a turtle!”  The first time I tried to eat like that I had to set a timer on my phone.  I suppose there’s a science to it.  It felt as if I was taking a super long time to eat, but you know something when time was up I honestly was full and didn’t even eat everything on my plate.  This of course was coupled with trying not to drink while eating and thoroughly chewing my food.  As busy human beings we literally inhale food and sometimes large portions of food and because we are eating so quickly don’t even realize we’re full and how much we actually ate.  This has got to be a huge contribution to the obesity epidemic in this country.  Other cultures take time to savor their meals, they close up for 2-4 hours in the middle of the day and open back up later in the evening they don’t live the rat race must keep up with the Jones’s type of life style most American’s do.

Lastly, my infuriation comes from dealing with all these surgical clearance appointments.  The nicest staff to deal with on the phone so far has been for psych clearance.  The receptionist was lovely and knowledgeable and I didn’t picture for one second Janine from the Ghostbusters hollering into the with the cig hanging out of her mouth “what d’ya want?!”  The pulmonologists office on the hand was definitely a Janine.  I had to basically argue with her and tell her what I needed which was so much fun.  Because I’m not a medical professional or anything I can’t just show up for a test without a doctors script.   My biggest aggravation of all came just last night actually.  Expecting to have my second nutrition appointment at 730pm and the bariatric nutrition area of the hospital is locked up tighter than a drum.  Of course they were very apologetic when someone was able to get in touch with the director and they would figure out a way to make this up to me.  That does not compensate me for my time, gas and knowledge that was not obtained because there was an error on their part.  They did reschedule me I did receive copious amounts of protein and vitamin samples, however this lack of communication is seriously aggravating.  My advice to all of you going through this stage of the game is learn some meditation oh and patience because I have not learned either, trust me it will benefit you in the long run.