?? Pre WLS Psych Eval?? (long)

So my Dr required the psych eval when I went through the process- I remember some crappy survey and a brief chat.  No big deal... So my DH went to another WL group because they are in the same hospital system has his gastro Dr (and his other specialists); he thought it would make it easier for them to work as a team (cause he has Crohn's Disease, spinal deformity).  Anyways--the psych eval lasted 2 sessions and she told him- she thinks he has ADD and that he has an anxiety problem not depression for which he is currently being treated.  Okay- he agrees to chat with his current medical team---which the ADD thing was in process (long process for adults; especially when the Dr's / therapist disagree with each other).  Soo--- he gets a letter denying him for the WL program because of his psych eval results-no details (we can presume the issues she brought up).  They really deny people because they have anxiety / depression issues? 

His over eating existed WAY before the depression / anxiety things.  OMG.  He literally is so disappointed and feels like he'll be stuck for the rest of his life.  He has pre-existing conditions that are usually helped or resolved with WLS (hypertension, Chronic Back  / Joint Pain, Sleep Apnea, Poor self esteem, high cholesterol, etc).  I just can't believe the ration of crap they put him through just to not even give him a reason or a course of action for treatment.  I hate to tell him to Dr shop-- for another clinic....but he is trying to get this under control and get his life back on a healthy track.  I feel really sorry- and scared for him- if he could do it on his own- he would have done it.  Then his GI Dr is a huge help when she says only if he has pre-existing conditions that warrant the WLS--- um yeah lady; look at him, his meds, his history and physical.  Any thoughts?!

That is awful - I cannot believe what people are put through!   If I would in his shoes, I would appeal the decision, which is his right.  I would have his regular psychiatrist write a letter that says he can handle the surgery.   I would insist on the rationale from the eval and steps he can take to address the concerns.  Finally, I would make an apptmt with a surgeon (not a GI doctors) who is versed in WLS.  If nothing else worked, I'd get a lawyer.

Amy

 

They dont even allow you to see the Dr's at the weight loss clini****il you go through all of these things---phsyical from family Dr, psych eval(s), general information session. Now the clinic that I used had me do most of those things but that was after I at least got to talk to staff and see a Dr at the clinic.  Ugh.

 I was told you could be diagnosed with any slew of mental issues as long as you were medicated and controlled. Maybe if he seeks medication/therapy you can resubmit?
How disappointing! So sorry it happened to you guys!

The psychiatrist comment was something about why do you take all of those antidepressants (he takes a combination of 2)...so he tells her because he has been battling depression since he was injured and can not work--She tells him basically you can take all the antidepressants in the world but if you have anxiety they won't do anything to help; and then tells him that she believes he has anxiety and ADD from how he completed the survey.  Now he has been in counseling, and actively attends his medication checks and is compliant with his medications.  The ADD thing is being handled---but because he had a head trauma (he fell down the stairs) they want to make sure with a MRI that he doesn't have a brain injury verse ADD.  This is after going to the psych (his own; not the clinics) 2 times to try to talk to him about medication for ADD as his routine therapist recommended, the family Dr, and then a neurologist.  So---he scheduled for the MRI (to check  brain injury question) and they refused to do it because he has / had a piece of metal from welding in his arm.  So he had to see a surgeon and have surgery to get the metal removed (which happened today actually).  It makes me shake my head--After the stories of all the people who are non compliant and brag about the bad foods they eat and things they do to damage the WLS and some people can not even get their foot in the door- people who honestly want help, demonstrate an understanding of the commitment and knowledge of what it means.  **frustrated** Thanks for the kind words.

 I think you can have his personal therapist psychiatric a letter of recommendation for the surgery it might help. One of my friends had her therapist submit her clearance, but that might have been along side the other one... can't hurt to ask, right?

Again, I am so sorry to hear of your trouble and I hope that you are able to get things to work out.

Many of us have anxiety conditions - it is a question of whether the condition is being managed properly. This consultant sounds like an idiot. I really hope he can get this psychiatrist to write a letter.

I worked in insurance many years ago. They count on people giving up. The squeaky wheel definitely gets the grease. I hope he challenges them every step of the way armed with facts. I wish him the best with the MRI but I cannot believe that anxiety, depression or ADD means that one cannot succeed with WLS. This rationale is ridiculous and, frankly, discriminatory. I wish your friend the very best.

Amy

I have anxiety problems and my psych came back ok. What if he just tried another psychiatrist? And I'd absolutely try getting his own therapist to send a recommendation. I can't believe they did that to him. What absolute crap. I understand, I was denied for surgery in 2003 and have waited all these years for this opportunity (just got insurance in November).

Good luck and tell him to keep trying. There are tons of doctors and options and don't let him get beat down by one power hungry idiot.

Hugs!

Thank you for the advise---I think I might suggest him just go to the clinic that I used---they can request all his medical information for the sleep apenea, hypertension, etc or have a new studies done if needed.  I mean he did not even get the oppertunity to know if they would do a restrictive surgery with his Crohn's disease. 

Keep us posted, I wanna hear how this turns out!