Question:
Has anyone had surgery that also has Disociative Identity disorder ?

My family dr. says no to surgery yet I need to know if you can have surgery even with Disociative identitiy disorder.I currently disociate sometimes weekly. any knowledge of this would be very helpful.    — Nancy H. (posted on April 30, 1999)

April 30, 1999
Helen, I have not had surgery yet. I am hoping to soon. RNY/Distal if I can find a doctor here. I too, am D.I.D. I have been through years of therapy,and it finally all came together last summer. I finally found a hospital that actually"worked"on the problem instead of herding everyone through. I only Dissociate every now and then. Basically, we have merged and my Bi-Polar Disorder is finally under control as well. Journaling really helps, because it gives them the voice they want. I hope I haven't went overboard here. i am well over 400 lbs myself and still under psychiatric care and therapy. I just wanted to let you know you're not alone. Good Luck, and I'll say a prayer for both of us.
   — [Anonymous]

May 1, 1999
I dissociate. My former therapist said that I'm the "queen of dissociation". I have bipolar disorder. I have anxiety disorder. I take a number of psychiatric meds. AND I had wls (RNY) in January (1/25/99) with the support of my psychiatrist. I've really had no problems, I just had to change the form of lithium I take (from long-acting Eskalith to lithobid). If you're basically in pretty good shape emotionally (yes, I still dissociate in spite of the meds and 13 years of therapy!), I would not let that be the determining factor. Zoe
   — Zoe S.

May 30, 1999
Hi Nancy, I would think like any other illness, DID would not in and of itself preclude the surgery. Your health in general would. Dissociating can work for you too. As for your doctor labeling you "the queen of dissociation" I don't think that is something you have to live up to. This surgery is to save your life because your body is not built to carry the weight and will break down. If your support systems include a therapist who knows you well and you are functioning on a daily basis within the norms of work, eat, sleep, dress, I don't see why you cannot continue on the road of self improvement. I do not know you or your situation, so it is hard to say. I have DID, I dissociate often, but I am not physically dangerous and have been on a combination of meds. that really helps me. Depakote, Klonopin, Zoloft and Desryl. Zyprexa is I absolutely need it, but I haven't for almost a year. Only you can say if you are ready. A year ago, I would not have been. Today, I am scheduled and ready to go. My positive thoughts to you, J.
   — [Anonymous]

May 30, 1999
Zoe, The queen of dissociation comment was for you. Sorry, I got a little ahead of myself. I think if I was seeking approval from my therapist, which I often am and they refered to me as the queen, I would want to retain my crown. But that is me and you is Zoe. Take is easy, Me.
   — [Anonymous]

May 21, 2000
Fellow DID/WLS friend. I am DID, pre-op & 6/26/2000 is my scheduled surgery date. I am glad that I read your postings, as well as the others who ansered. My "Kids" hold a belief that they are all layers of the body and that by having the surgery, they will be cut out. One of the littles thinks that she will be flushed down the toilet when we lose her layer.This is very diconcerting. I have been in hterapy for 10 years and am a very high functioning multiple. I recently "graduated" from therapy. But I have had to do a lot of inner counseling and moderating to reasure the littles that all will be fine. One thing that I remind them of, is that the body will be able to play and run & fly kites and sit cross-legged again. We will be able to wear frilly clothes and jeans again. I even bought a baby spoon & fork, some very small nice glass bowls and a lovely single cup tea pot with cup, that is porcelin. They like having tea parties, so this appeals to them and is wisely economical, since our food servings won't look so small on a porportionate plate or bowl. I know that this surgery is the right dircetion for me to take. I am done with the dance with food. I want to eat to live, not live to eat. I see this surgery as the finale of my healing. This I do inspite of my abusers!!I hope that you realize that the person that called you the queen of whatever, isn't a very professional person! A good therapist/ Dr wouldn't ever say that!! It's obvious that this person is illeterate concerning DID and thinks that "it's all in your head!" I think that you should look for a new DR. and plan to go on with the surgery, if you are sure that all of your parts are prepared for the consequences of the up coming changes to the body. S
   — Sharon C.

October 1, 2000
Hi everyone's everyone, Yes, I'm DID / 6 weeks post op. NOTHING happened without a lot of work inside and with the outside therapist. (10 years next month.) Most of the adults have merged and many of the littles have not and will not. The littles are the most excited about playing at the park and sliding on the slide, roller skating and just playing in general. A teen or two is probably going to have to learn a lot of restraint about shopping (still working on that one...) and the littles have been bossy emotionally all week because we want a bike and we want one right now. I think the dissociation has an advantage in pain managment... JMO. However, everyone inside totally agreed to the 6 weeks post op of letting the bigs make ALL the food choices and rest choices... we did have to get some "bed toy's" (colors, books, paints) and things for the littles to do while resting. Lately we have been really grouchy, mean and snappish. Everyone inside... or almost everyone and we never acted like this in a long long time so we don't like it but we get so angry and can't eat about being mad so we snap or grouch at outside people. We don't quite know how to deal with this part yet... didn't know the emotions / feelings were going to be so strong :-( The surgeon had a problem with my med's and said we couldn't swallow them post op but we did and haven't had any problem with it. We bought a purple (outside) teddy bear that went to the hospital with us. All the littles went inside the bear to wait until the body finished with the surgery and the most part of the pain. We never understand about people (mono people) who talk about being alone at the hospital I guess because we never really feel alone... the outside husband came but many more than that and a room feels really crowded. We don't have total black outs anymore unless we choose to. We did go back into that place right after surgery for a while just to let the body / mind / rest. Someone stayed out but I don't know who exactly... maybe no one. Many things we don't remember we just don't want to remember. The outside therapist agree's that we don't have to remember every single thing about the past or even about now if it is really painful as long as we know it is a memory... just one we don't want to know about by choice. Can't put my name... We don't like to be "known" for our disorder so much anymore as for just who we are now... all together with as many beautiful facets as a diamond. Safe hugz to all DID's doing this... If you get your insides in order and EVERYONE agree's that this is a good thing then you will all do well. ~The Staff~~
   — [Anonymous]

August 6, 2002
I too have DID and have finally been approved for gastric bypass. My psychiatrist gave me a time frame to work within. For instance,in May he told me if there were no major "incidents" from then until September, that he would approve the surgery. It is now August and I hope to soon have a surgery date. It has been frustrating knowing that I am approved yet cannot have the surgery until the psychiatrist says so, but I know deep down that it is for my own health and well-being. One problem that I have run into is not feeling comfortable talking to my therapist or doctor about my feelings because I do not want to give him any reason to have him postpone the surgery even later. Good luck and try to be patient. I initially wrote my psychiatrist a letter so he could see how I actually felt, and see that I understood the surgery and I felt like I was ready to proceed with the surgery. Hope this helps you out. Good Luck!
   — Angelia V.