Question:
Does anyone out there have a history of BI_POLAR disorder that has had a WLS?

I am a Morbidly Obese 34 year old Female. I have a long history of BI-POLAR DISORDER and have finally found the right combination of medicine to keep it under control. I still have therapy sessions every week. I am afraid of having things get out of control after I have found stability. I feel that I have to go on to my next big problem. My weight. It has started having adverse affects on my health. My son is 100 pounds overweight as well. I am over 400 pounds. Please help.    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 1, 1999)

April 30, 1999
Hi- You are not alone. I too have bipolar disorder and my doc assured me as long as my medicine works and I follow my post-op instructions I should have no problems.Go to a gastric surgeon ASAP your son too! You definately qualify and your son should to -(but sometimes the insurance deny claims if the weight doesn't have co-existing medical problems) If you want to live.... go get the surgery anyway you can! Take Care- Paula ([email protected])
   — Paula S.

April 30, 1999
Hi, I had my wls in December of 1998. Prior to that I was taking Zoloft for post-partum depression. I had it so bad that I would think terrible thoughts about what "could" happen to myself or others around me. I was also seriously depressed about my weight. The day of my surgery, I weighed 294. Today I weigh 220 and haven't had to take Zoloft since 2 weeks after my surgery. I was on the medication for over a year. I'm not sure if this helps you, but all I can say is that everything has changed for the better since my wls. God bless you and your son, Cathy
   — Cathy K.

April 30, 1999
I am 30 years old and have had bipolar disorder since I was a child, although it wasn't officially diagnosed until six years ago. I had RNY surgery on 1/25/99. My bipolar disorder has been challenging to treat as I have the rapid cycling variety, and co-existing anxiety disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. My psychiatric medications have required a very slight adjustment (i.e., I've switched from controlled release Eskalith to Lithobid -- just a different form of lithium, and the others have stayed the same). My pschiatrist is requiring more frequent blood levels until my weight stablizes. I stay in relatively close communication with my psychiatrist, who I see every couple of months, and my therapist whom I meet with weekly and things are going rather smoothly. Zoe
   — Zoe S.

April 30, 1999
It depends on how steady you are in your therapy. Do you still have a desire to do self harm? If you do then this could be a tuff surgery for you. I was able to decrease my meds quite a bit..but I've been out of therapy for 5 yrs before having surgery. It was still a tuff road. Carole in oK
   — Ben R.

April 30, 1999
I think you need to begin with your doctor. Since you are 400 lbs. you probably have no problem getting cleared. I started at 428 and have lost 43 lbs in 4 weeks. Your doctor would be the best to start- since he would know how your metabolism would react to the surgery. Get in touch with a Bariatric Teatment center. GOOD HEALTH- SHEILA
   — Sheila W.