Bipolar disorder is a comorbidity with any other illness when doctors write patients' diagnoses.  It just means an accompanying illness.  Like, when I had my surgery, my comorbidities included arthritis, high cholesterol, prediabetes, and acid reflux, along with my bipolar disorder and alcoholism.  Genetic or not, it is considered a comorbidity, meaning an illness you have along with the need for surgery. 

Doctors have to make sure they document all of the comorbidities to cover their anatomy if the state agencies inspect the records.  Better to have all your diagnoses on the paperwork, than miss one and not be accountable for it.

My surgery was pushed back a month because of my mental health history. My surgeon wanted letters from my primary, my psychiatrist stating that I was stable, med compliant and I understood the importance of what I was getting into and what was required of me post op. If you have been stable, seeing a Dr. regularly and compliant you shouldn't have an issue. I thought for sure I'd have a problem but the Dr. just wanted to make sure I was safe and that I was not going to go into a manic spiral because of the trauma of surgery. I'm a year post op, the meds haven't been an issue and have been reduced since surgery and have been able to come off some of the meds. We can't take Extended release meds so if you're on those they may want to change them before you have surgery.

 If your depression is really that bad, you should get hold of CONTACT which generally runs through your county.  You may want to see if your county has a deprssion hot line.  Sometimes we just need to be able to talk to somebody.  I'd also see if there is an outpatient low cost or free group that you can go to while waiting to see the psych.  That's only apossible suggestion but I know I don't do well in the groups. 

About 5 years ago I had to go to an outpatient group program while my meds were being changed.  I had thought of suicide but had never attempted it.  Half the people in this group had attempted it and many of them had bee inpatients at mental facilities.  I told my wife I'd rather be dead than go through that experience again.  However, the positive  part of the whole ordeal is that I met with a shrink at least once a week and eveything was fine with 6 weeks.

Right now, May 13 seems like a long time to me.  If you can't get anything sooner, you may want to call the shrink's office and tell them just how bad you are.  This is not a time to be calm and complacent.  I'm not advocating that you yell at the people in the office but let them know how serious your condition.is.  They may be able to give you hints on what to do in the meantime.  They'll probably have the shrink call you back just to talk to you a little.

Nixmommie why do u feel so miserable? Is it the wls or not having the food or just your bi-polar flaring up?? I will be praying for u

i did have a surgeon deny me based on my diagnosis of bi-polar. the shrink I had my psych eval with said I had missed 2 dr appointments the previous yr. He said that showed me not being consistent. He told me to come back in a year. I sought another surgeon. I was approved and had surgery in record time. I do have to say I am quite the miserable puppy these days. Everyone says its it natural but I am feeling pretty depressed these days, and I do not have my food buddy to console me.