Hi, I'm new and have some fears

Hi, Iei am new to OH and am just beginning the process of WLS.  I have my first information seminar in February and I don't know what to expect.  I am 320 pounds and 5'5" with a BMI of 53.5.  I have diabetes and sleep apnea as well as several mental health diagnoses (bipolar and anxiety disorder).  I've been reading the forums and it sounds like sometimes people are turned down for mental health reasons.  Is there anyone out there who has had a positive experience with having some longstanding mental health issues and still being approved?  I really want to have the WLS because I have been struggling with my weight for 30 years on my own with nothing to show but more pounds. 

When I had my psych evaluation she wanted to make sure that I was stable (bi-polar) and also that I had realistic expectations of the surgery. That it's not the surgery that causes the weight loss it is just a tool to apart me in my weight loss. Just be honest during the process, I would not have wanted to go thorouh this if I wasn't stable. I wish you the best!

There are many people here on OH who have been approved who are also bipolar. Maybe post this on the main forum to find more.

Go to the seminar and ask there. Their insurance people should know what your insurance requires.

My starting BMI was also 53. Weight loss surgery gave me my life back.

I wish you the best.

There are several people in my real life support group at the Cleveland Clinic who are bi-polar.  I believe that they only had to be compliant and stable in order to qualify for surgery.  If you aren't either, then it would likely just be a matter of becoming compliant and stable before surgery?  

I wish you luck.  My BMI was 57.  WLS has really improved my life.  

it should be fine. so long as you are competent enough to make your own decisions, etc. i am no expert but you know, so long as you're not completely out of your mind to the point of not knowing up from down and right from left and can say "yes, i want surgery and this is why and i understand what i am doing" it will be ok. sort of a crude way of putting it but as said, i am no expert. just make sure to stand up for yourself and do not take "no" for an answer lying down. but as said you will be fine

usually you need to see a psychologist i believe before surgery, or a certain surgery. this is usually a person who works for the clinic / hospital. if they feel they need an opinion of someone with more expertise according to one's mental health history they may ask for an evaluation from an independent psychiatrist. but it really should not be a problem based even from the info in your post   

I do pre-op psych evals part time and I have never denied anyone surgery because of bipolar disorder (they have always been on appropriate medications or had their moods otherwise stabilized).  

The more typical reasons for someone not getting psych approval would be having an active eating disorder or some type of mental health issue (e.g., Schizophrenia) where they are unable to make rational decisions and follow a strict daily eating and vitamin supplementation plan.

There are MANY people here who have existing mental heath issues who have been approved for surgery and who have done quite well!  Relax, it will be fine.

Lora

Thank you so much for all of your posts.  They have really helped calm my fears.

I'm bi-polar too. My program shrink said that is a yellow flag for them (not red). I needed to get a letter from my regular shrink that she would continue working with me over the 12 months following surgery. Not a big deal, but it felt a bit like needing a note from Mom.