Question:
Can someone with clinical depression have the surgery?

I've seen recently that if you have depression or any other psych d.o. that you cannot have the surgery. Does anyone know if that is so? I have not found anything on this site that says as much. Can someone please respond?    — hibou21 (posted on May 16, 2003)

May 16, 2003
Yes, you can have the surgery if you have depression. Depression is very common with over weight people. You will be required to have a psych evaluation and they will talk to you about your depression.
   — Jane S.

May 16, 2003
I am being treated for Depression. I had surgery 4 wks. ago. I DID NOT have to have a Psych eval. It all depends on what your Dr. and you Insurance requests/requires.
   — Marilyn Kay J.

May 16, 2003
Don't know where you saw that, but it is definitely not true. The thing to remember is that, if you truly have clinical depression, having the surgery and losing weight probably won't help with it. I had high hopes for being able to get off my anti-depressants, but no such luck. However, I never had anyone even ask me about the depression when I was still pre-op, let alone tell me I couldn't have the surgery because of it.
   — garw

May 16, 2003
I had to have a psych eval (everyone who has surgery with my surgeon does) and I have been on anti-depressants for 7 years. I also had some suicide attempts, but I was cleared for the surgery because I have been stable on my meds for about 3 years now.
   — preferably A.

May 16, 2003
I have been on antidepressants since 1994. My surgeon just wanted a letter from my psychiatrist that I was cleared for surgery and understood all the physical, emotional, etc. changes that the surgery would require. He was also interested to know if the psych. felt I had adequate support from family and friends. No problems :)
   — Terri D.

May 16, 2003
The answer to your question is definitely "yes." I was diagnosed with severe depression fifteen years ago. There have been many ups and downs over the years, but I am currently taking 40 mg. of Paxil a day and visit the psychologist every 3 to 4 months for a "medication check." I am still considered severely depressed, but am regarded as stable. Although I have never attempted suicide, I've had (in layman's terms) two nervous breakdowns several years apart. The doctor in Pittsburgh who performed my lap RNY isn't big on lots of pre-op testing, and only asked me a couple of simple questions regarding the depression. Neither he nor my insurance company (Highmark Select Blue P-O-S HMO) required a psych evaluation, so I never had one, although I did briefly discuss the procedure with my psychiatrist; he was supportive and wished me well! I should point out that my weight definitely is not the cause of my depression, as I have not been overweight all my life. However, as my weight increased over the years, my self-esteem took a nose-dive. I feel better about myself and much more confident when my weight is within the normal range. I do not expect the weight loss surgery to "cure" my depression, but I personally feel better about myself when my weight is under control.
   — carsim

May 16, 2003
I have clinical depression and borderline personality disorder but can still have the surgery. I was told that as long as everything was under control there was no problem. I have suffered with depression issues since I was 9 and am now 32 so I don't really think you should have a problem.
   — Nancy S.