psych evaluation? which doctor?

Hi! My name is Sarah and I am in love with this website!  I am from louisville, and I have a few questions for you guys.  First, I am choosing btw Dr. Geller and Dr. Shina for my surgeons.  Any opionions?  I am going through the norton bariatric center.  I am worried that I won't be aproved for surgery bc I am mentally ill.  I have bipolar with mostly major depressive epsiodes.  I just got out of the hospital about 6 weeks ago- my new pdoc adjusted my meds and it sent me into a major depressive episode.  I also have bad panic attacks, and suffer from bouts of what they call "depersonalization"  Does anyone here deal with issues like that?  I would be very comforted to know that I wasnt the only one out here with these issues that is going through this process.  My therapist is worried that I wont be able to take my meds bc of the surgery and that the anesthesia is going to set off my depression or panic attacks.  I am just so nervous that I wont be approved but at the same time, I am scared that this surgery will affect my mental health. thanks all!

    Hi Sarah..Welcome!!! Dr. Gellar and Dr. Shina are good surgeons both of them!! My coaching would be this.. Call both surgeons and ask them about your  situation.. I would think your therapist will have to clear you for surgery... But I have NO Idea if that is the case or not..
   Maybe we will get lucky and Connie or one of them will see this and chime in..
   Im sorry I cant give you more help than that. Im not sure how they will deal with that situation but I would think that you would need to consider the surgery type also..
  So all that to say Hi and Hope you figure everything out... Please feel free to ask us questions!!!!
  Dawn

Hi and welcome!
I'm not familiar with either surgeons, I myself used Dr. Allen.. Although I hear great things about both!
I would definately take Dawns advise and call each one personally... Plus through the Bariactric Center at Norton's you'll see a counselor too.. He might be able to help aswell!
Good Luck!
Sandi

Sarah,
You can speak with the surgeons after the Information Seminars. Consider attending Dr. Geller's and Dr. Shina's seminars to speak with them about these concerns.

Patients typically resume their normal medications after they are discharged from the hospital. The surgeons may not order your depression/ anxiety meds while hospitalized though. It just depends and is a question for the surgeons...

From your posting, it sounds as though more investigation is necessary. This will be done by the Mental Health Specialist at the Bariatric Center; they will contact your personal Mental Health Specialist for more information.

Know that folks with bipolor disorder and panic attacks can be recommended and approved for surgery. And they are successful with weight loss.

You must demonstrate the committment to "stay well"  or "manage" by following your psychiatrists and therapists recommendations. For example, do you keep your appointments?; do you take the prescribed medication as directed?; do you attend therapy or support group sessions?

The surgeons may wait to perform the surgery until you and your doctor find the "right" medication mix to manage your disorder. Again, more investigation sounds necessary.

Good Luck!