Someone please help...bipolar=no wls approval????

 I've seen this in some posts on this site...is it true? I have very severe bipolar disorder and anxiety...ill be devastated if this keeps me from having surgery.

I know of no hard and fast rule about psychiatric diagnoses preventing surgery.  I believe a lot of it depends on how compliant you are with your treatment regimen, meds and therapy.  How stable you have been in recent years.  Ask your psychiatrist to write your psych evaluation for the surgeon.  Mine did.

 Thank you...I didnt want yet another reason for anxiety...lol. Great advice, thanks for taking the time to reply to me! 

I've been diagnosed as being bi-polar since 1990 and my shrink listed it as a comorbidity on my psych eval when I had my RNY in 2000.  I thought that was strange since my mental illness is largely hereditary but it had no ill effect on getting the WLS.  I think the ins companies are trying to weed out people who are currently suicidal.  Why should they pay for an operation if the patient is just going to try suicide.  That being said, I know several people who were suicidal in the past and have rec'd proper treatment.  They were then able to get the WLS and are doing fine.

I'm bipolar and had my surgery 10-07 (sleeve) my insurance approved me I just had to have my psychiatrist write a letter that I was stable enough to have the surgery.  I will tell you that I now have what they call "transfer addition".  I drink everyday and have gained half my weight back because of the alcohol.  Be aware that bipolar people have a higher incidence of transfer addition.   Otherwise good luck
Mary Jo

I have the same fears, but the Dr told me that as long as I'm complient with my medications and my mental health issues are being treated and controled it won't stop me from having surgery!  

i have the same issues and, frankly, when i was getting my RNY in late 2006, i simply cose not to disclose them (mind you, i was self pay and had my surgery in mexico so i don't know if you have the same option if you insurance company already has your psych history.)

In any case, this is, after all, your body and you are an adult who is able to make informed choices. I hope you get your wls without having to jump through too many hurdles. in my case, RNY did not cure bipolar or anxiety but i am now thin, no longer have eating disorders and my self and body image has improved dramatically. it also has made me much less prone to severe depression, which was a result of poor body image..

good luck to you
Nat