Question:
Depression vs a possible insurance denial

I have suffered with depression the bulk of my life. About 2 years ago i had a complete breakdown. I know it was depression over not having a life and all the miseries that accompany it. I hope to be scheduled for a consultation within a month or so. The date has not been set since the Dr wants to weed out those who may not know what all ppl experience who have WLS. So far I have had moments of depression but nothing like what happened to me a few years ago. I know whats to expect and whats expected of me. I am concerned that my previous psyche history will destroy my chances to get this surgery. I have noticed that the wait for the appointment has stressed me greatly. I come here daily and read the posts, but I want to be saying I have crossed over and I have lost X amount of weight. How did you all hold on during those months of waiting? The wait itself adds alot of stress. I made the mistake of telling friends I plan to have it and if I am not accepted it will be an embarrassment I will not be able to live down. Any advice would be welcomed.    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 13, 2002)

January 13, 2002
I had my Dr. put me on some anti-depressants while I was batteling insurance, because it did get to me. He also put me on an as needed anti-anxiety drug. I tried to commit suicide 5 years ago and was still approved.. because my current mental state was that of being able to deal with my life and the changes of surgery, they made sure I had a stable support network and had my t's crossed and i's dotted. I batteled insurance for 32 weeks.. and both denials put me over the top before I was approved, but I made it .. I also came here every day, read and posted when I had the knowledge (my angel went through the surgery 10 months before me so I knew a lot from her) it was a huge help.. Hang in there and check into the chat room here for the worst of times!
   — Elizabeth D.

January 13, 2002
I dont think your acting too much different than the rest of us post ops. We are addicted and need our daily fix of WLS highlights...and also the bad stuff that can happen and how we can get through it. This all keeps us on an even keel. I am very stressed playing the waiting game...I have gained weight and feel even MORE miserable. Yes, I take Welbuteran, but I think a majority of people on here take one kind or another of an antidepressant. we wait 9 months to bear children, we can wait this out too!
   — Connie M.

January 13, 2002
Hi there, I am still in the midst of this very slow process too. I know how stressfull it is and how you just feel like you're wasting every day that you're waiting for this surgery to happen. I think people worry 1000 times too much about the psych eval. Very few people get denied on the basis of it (so says a Psychologist who does them on a regular basis). They are usually looking for people with Borderline Personality Disorder and Biopolar Disorder (although there are plenty on this list who are Bipolar and have been approved). I myself went through a severe depression for many years and was medicated until about 3 or 4 years ago. I had a bit of a breakdown too and I thought I was literally going insane. I would sleep for half an hour but have terrifying nightmares, then wake up and be exhausted so I wanted to sleep more, but it got to the point I was afraid to go to sleep because of the constant nightmares. The sleep deprevation made me incapable of thinking clearly about anything. I had crazy (scary) thoughts all of the time. So I have a rather checkered history, but I have already gotten psychological clearance. The hard part is getting all of that pre-op testing, getting insurance approval, etc. You know, if you really think not getting approval is something your friends would not let you live down, they aren't very good friends! If they are your friends, I can't imagine them giving you a hard time about it. I am sorry I don't have any advice to give like "this is how I survived waiting for surgery", but I at least wanted to say that your psych eval is really something you shouldn't waste your time worrying about. Simply put there are many people crazier than you or I that have gotten approval ;) You'll be fine :)
   — [Anonymous]

January 13, 2002
Well I see I am not alone in this battle. I had ECT treatments better known as shock therapy to get thru that blackened hour a few years ago. I was so suicidal till it's pathetic. Wonderful news is, I have not been that way since...but my depression does still occur. The only way my Psyche Dr felt I would survive would be to perform those treatments. Actually he threatened to have me committed if I did not take those treatments. Well, I did and I lost a percentage of my long term memory. I had already lost a great deal of short term memory due to being assaulted years ago. When I was finally released, I found out I was diabetic, so I wonder if that was the underlying culprit all along. My problem with desiring this more is: I can remember to take my medicines, but my insulin injections is a different battle. My PCP and I have tried several ways to assist me in remembering to take it. Some days I take too much or take it twice...other days I forget to take it period. Memory loss is a horrible experience. I need my insulin, point blank. I was wondering if my PCP told this portion would that help qualify me with Medicare or kill my chances totally. I can put the psyche evaluation aside for a second, but then the waiting portion comes into play. Why is it we find something like this that's out there to help and we go bonkers and want it done PDQ? I have no choice but to wait, but I tell you, the suspense is killing me. Thanks for all the responses. I sure pray for those who are going thru this nightmare that the days roll by and we all look up and see that we're on the other side. Thanks, sorry about doing his anonymously I guess I am a bit scared my Surgeon might read this since I know he checks here alot, so I'd feel a bit more secure hiding under this veil of a mystery wls hopeful. Thanks again!!!
   — [Anonymous]

January 13, 2002
I am a very up beat person, have a bmi of 41,some great kids, lots of friends, a supportive hubby, and a great job. I go to school part time, and have a nice home,,,but this waiting for insurence approval is about to put me over the edge! I am so hopeful that this will set me free, that I am very obsessed bout it,,,and since ti cant give me any energy back,,at this time,,Im getting depressed!I am so sad, as I wait, that I stopped going to aorobics, and am not focused on my school work,,have been grouchy to kids and lost all sex drive. So, the only thing that I can say is that if this journey can pull me down,( miss mary sunshine, polly anna, martha stewert, etc,) then it can get to anyone. Pray, find your peace somewhere, and hope for the best! good luck to you! I will keep my fingers, hair, toes, eye lashes, and butt cheeks crossed for both of us! ps, I wouldnt tell anyone else about your wls,,,its none of thier business, unless they are very dear to you, this wls is all for you, about you, and is completely yours! HE is in control, anyway, we are just along for the ride.
   — [Anonymous]