Question:
Would there be interest in a list of therapists to help with WLS issues ?

I wonder if members of this site would be interested in being able to research a therapist here (organized geographically perhaps?)who wants, and is qualified, to help people with the many issues surrounding succesful WLS. I'm not sure if it's even something Eric would be willing to try to include but I think it might be very valuable for people. As a long time marriage and family therapist I am thinking about ways to incorporate my interest in WLS into my private practice and I wish I could make my experience and expertise known in a reputable place like this one, for my area (Philadelphia). While I do not believe that personal experience with a particular issue gives anyone superior clinical wisdom, I do think that in the area of morbid obesity and Weight Loss Surgery there is so much prejudice and negative judgment that there are very distinct advantages to working with a therapist who has been there and done it themselves. I know I had very poor psychological support and follow up to my own WLS in '99 and I have worked very hard to fill in what I needed on my own (as many of you have had to do!) I think that good individual and group suport around WLS should be mandatory and would dramatically reduce the stress and post operative depression associated with these proceedures. Maybe if enough of you agree we could prevail upon Eric and the angelic teckies who help him to add a "wing" for psychological support/help where people all around the country could look for that kind of help.    — Carol M. (posted on May 19, 2000)

May 19, 2000
Sounds like a great idea to me!! I know when I lost a HUGE amt of wt yrs ago, that I entered into therapy. It really helped me to get to know myself in ways I never thought I could. Helped w/ the eating problem too. Then yrs later, HUGE AMTS of problems all at once..and I was back on the road to gaining wt. You have my support in doing this. If I can be of any help, please email me at [email protected]
   — kathy S.

May 19, 2000
I would really be interested in a list of support people for WLS patients. I belonged to the Weight For Life group, affiliated with Dr. Afram. This is a very good support group. I was very active for 2 1/2 years. I had my surgery 5 years ago. I have not gained any weight back. In fact, I am still loosing...I have lost 145+ pounds. I still get counceling for my weight loss issues. I see a very good psyclologist. If there is a list made up, I would love to have my Doctor added. I live in the Washington DC area. Her name is: Dr. Rosemary Bowes 2300 M Street, N.W. Suite 880 Washington D.C. 20037 Phone: (1-202-223-0719) Hope you can get a list going, support is in my mind is absolutly necessary, Good Luck Avis Gandy [email protected]
   — Avis G.

May 19, 2000
As a therapist myself, and someone who is in the middle of this quest for weightloss surgery, I agree that many therapeutic issues come up at all phases of this process. I've noticed also by reading the Q & A Postings that many people are hesitant to ask questions because they'll think they're stupid or may not share feelings because they think they'll be judged. For many people in this quest for a new life, there must be issues around grief and loss because any change, even change we want, is scary and involves loss. I think, based on my own feelings, that issues of shame, "do I deserve a better life", "will I sabotage myself", etc. are there, whether we acknowledge them or not. People who are morbidly obese have had many painful experiences in their lives. I also wonder if maybe people have questions or feelings that they are afraid to ask their doctor. (Is anyone always totally honest with their doctor?) After all, there are major issues over control. We want something from them and may be afraid we won't get it if we "ask to many questions". I admit that these are many of my own feelings, but I've picked up on some "vibes" from things other people have said on this site. A wise friend of mine, also a therapist, said that if I was thinking or feeling something in a highly emotionally charged situation, there was a good chance that others were having the same thoughts and feelings, which, by the way, is why group therapy can be very helpfull in many kinds of situations. I don't want to speak for others or seem to be labeling others in a negative way. I am owning these feelings as my own, but some of the same issues that are important in working with alcoholics and their families, such as guilt and shame, and how does a person change their entire relationship to food and how that effects other family members, etc. are ones that I'd like to see addressed on this site. I know this question actually had to do with private practice issues, but the question regarding the value of therapy just caught my eye. I've rambled too much and, again, my purpose was not to say everyone has therapy issues around weight loss surgery, but this quest for a new life is tough and has a lot of ups and downs, and every part of it isn't all happiness and good feelings.
   — Marcie J.

May 19, 2000
I think this is a wonderful idea. I just started seeing a counselor to prepare for my surgery and wish there would have been a resource to help find a therapist.
   — twenc

May 19, 2000
YES YES YES I would love a compiled list of therapists that could offer help with all the many WLS issues we go through before and after surgery. By the way, if anyone knows some in the San Francisco Bay Area, please feel free to email me their names at [email protected] Thank you
   — Denise K.

May 19, 2000
As long as this site remains pre and post-op people helping pre and post-op people, much like the AA concept, there is no problem. The minute you give someone the title "Therapist" or "Counselor", there are state laws that govern that activity and requirements, like malpractice insurance, that go along with such titles. I really am not trying to rain on a wonderful idea...there are many qualified members on this web site who are extremely knowledgeable about WLS and have the experience AND sensitivity to help others. And a great many of them have no college degree in counseling to hang on their walls. I know because so many of you have helped me and shared that you are stay at home moms, computer programers, clerks, teachers, and shut-ins. But the reality of the situation is that there is the potential for that one person out of million who will take what we say as gospel and then be upset it did not apply in their case - consequently going to see a lawyer. If anyone has different info than what applies here in Tennessee, please share it. Perhaps internet regulations are different and all that needs to be done is to make sure a disclaimer runs. Any lawyers out there...?
   — Alicia B.

May 19, 2000
Carol - I think this sounds like a great idea! I am running a support group in the Phila suburbs and would love to have you come speak to the group. You can e-mail me to discuss further at [email protected]
   — Marjie W.

May 19, 2000
Yes, this is so very needed. If the purpose of the site is to help provide needed resources and support, I feel the listing of psychologists is very important. We all know that it isn't just about "passing" the test for surgery, it's much bigger than that. We didn't develop weight issues without having behaviors and experiences that need to be acknowledged so things can change. Having limited resources in the Pac NW area, I would love some suggestions as to counselor/therapist/psychologist in the Tacoma, WA area.
   — Lorri S.

May 19, 2000
I would love to see this happen if and only if the therapists really were very very familiar and specialized in weight loss surgery problems. So many are just general therapists...this I don't need as they tend to find fault and problems i think in other things rather than focus on the weight problem. What does everyone else think?
   — BARBARA R.

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