Mental Illness & the Sleeve

My son's long-time psychologist expressed extreme concerns about my son getting the gastric sleeve.  He is afraid that he would become suicidal if he loses the ability to overeat.  I told him that anyone who wants to overeat with the sleeve can overeat if they choose, maybe not so much in the beginning, but there are lots of slider foods, etc.

He said he would have no problem with him getting the lap band since it's reversible.  I told him about all the troubles people have had with the band and the damage it causes.  He repeated that it's reversible, and I disagreed that the potential damage could be irreversible.  He asked if I was listening to him so I took a breath and thought about it.  He wants me to discuss it with my son.  We have been discussing it for years, and my son seems ready.  I don't think he would have gone forward with the fasting and endoscopy if he was not ready.

I have gotten input from people in my support group and on OH previously, but if anyone has dealt with mental illness and the sleeve or lap band and has an opinion on the dangers/risks of either, I'd be interested in hearing.  This is my son's decision, but I want to make sure he has as much information as possible.

Wow, this is a tough one. How old is your son? I agree, lap band is worthless but your son will have to pass a psych eval to qualify. He can get someone else of course but is that the right thing?  Maybe he needs to spend 6 months tracking and developing healthy habits to show maturity to have the surgery. 

VSG made me not hungry at all for quite a while so I did not need to eat for emotional reasons (which I did a lot before) but everyone is different. Maybe your son should practice some of the vsg habits to become accustomed to it. 

Suicide possibility is scary  (I lost a nephew to it who was bipolar) but being obese is tough on a young person. Think this through carefully.  No need to rush as you can do it next year or thereafter. I had vsg at 58 and am not sure I would have been ready for it earlier . My thoughts are with you.   Diane S.

Thank you.  He is 25.  We are seeing a psychologist from the bariatric center tomorrow night but are not discounting what his regular psychologist says.  (He has been following the rules for a very long time, but I am not with him all day.) 

Joey, I'm hoping that someone will have more info than I do. 

But, I will say this:  part of my job is to work with behavioral health medication follow ups.  One time, in large meeting, a psychiatrist made a comment that lead me to believe that he was anti-WLS in general. I also got the impression that perhaps it was a general mental health professional opinion.  

I didn't follow up with him because it was a random comment, not related to the meeting topic, and I didn't want to draw attention to myself.  Whatever he said was just a sentence or two but of course it got my attention.  I doubt anyone else even noticed it.

I learned later, again randomly, that WLS is associated with increase suicide risk but I have no idea if that was the reason for the psychiatrist's opposition or not.   After all, lots of people (including MDs) are still anti WLS. 

I wish I could be more helpful!

If over eating is your son's coping mechanism, which it is for my son (bipolar), I would want to make sure other coping mechanisms are in place prior to surgery. If he can't control his eating (and at this point my son can't - he will steal from us for food) then I would say wait. Overeating could be life threatening especially if done early out.

We are starting Aikido lessons and I want him to pick up his guitar to take lessons again.

Joey, this is difficult one. One thing I would have to question is why lap band would be less likely to potentially lead to suicide than VSG? That doesn't make sense to me. And you are right about the long-term physical consequences of the band (which is why there aren't many surgeons doing it anymore). Perhaps the psychologist needs to do some more research about WLS to work with your son and you on this.  I know the breakup with food can be devastating for some people (I think it is why a lot of people don't have WLS), so Paula is right that your son probably needs to develop other coping skills before having WLS.  Good luck with this difficult issue.

No advice or experience to offer. Only virtual support and empathy!