Question:
Has any one ever had difficulty with the psych. evaluation due to depression or ...

Has any one ever had difficulty with the psych. evaluation due to depression or bipolar disorder. I'm worried that I will be denied due to my history of mental illness, even though it is now very well controlled, with few problems in years.    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 27, 2000)

January 27, 2000
I didnt have a problem with my shrink, ive had panic attacks and depression for 15 yrs. im sorry, but ive been seeing on here a couple of people with the same problem. my advice would be for you to go to another dr. one that is afilliated with your surgeon. allthese people doing the testing i believe are just making more money they are hopping on thwls bandwagon..best of luck to you
   — bobbie M.

January 28, 2000
I know this sounds crazy, but, try to answer the questions as you feel on your best day. Don't think about long term. Think only about your best day and think of you life in these terms. Don't think of yourself as depressive, your no more different than anyone else. You just have a small disability. If you have any questions, just think of how you feel on your best day. We are not freaks, we just have a chemical embalance much like a diabetic. Remember, your best day always your best day. Go slow, take your time and remeber there is nothing wrong with you, just the small minds of little people.
   — Jen L.

January 28, 2000
Last year, I was evaluated by a teaching hospital surgeon and was told that he did not have a good success rate with bipolars. I was further evaluated psychiatrically and turned down for the operation; their fear was that I would rupture the staple line. They had this experience with some bipolars they had operated on. At the time I was not emotionally stable, having had a recent episode. But I am much healthier, mentally and physically this year. Has anyone else ever been told that bipolars or ADD people have a hard time following the doctor's aftercare regimen???? Just wondering. They say it is not that you don't want to; it's just that you don't do it. I would really like some opinions on this if anyone has had any similar experiences. I have talked to Michelle (vitalady) about it and she has pointed out that the distal operation is a good one for people with such problems because there is so much less to have to remember. I think this is probably a good point, but I find it difficult to figure out who does distals and how well received they are at this time in the medical community. It just seems that people who don't get the radical operations seem to gain the weight back or don't lose as much as they should lose (perhaps I am speaking in too many generalities).
   — [Anonymous]

January 28, 2000
Hi. I just saw my psychiatrist two days ago about this same issue (approval for surgery for bi-polars). It was my bariatric surgeon who wanted the letter from my psych. stating that I would be able to "handle" the post-operative changes and lifestyle. This request was made despite the fact that I passed the screening test that the surgeon-recommended psychologist gave me early in my pre-approval run-around. I think it's good that surgeons are dotting their i's and crossing their t's when it comes to doing this surgery. They are taking the chance of losing prospective patients ($$$$) by making us jump through a few extra hoops. (I guess they are also covering their rear ends when it comes to lawsuits, too!) One more meeting with a doctor may cost us more money and take more time, but at least it gives us a chance to think more about how we will be able to adjust to life after WLS. At first, my psychiatrist was not enthused about the idea of me having this surgery. But, my bipolar II condition has been stable for many years and my depression is continuing to lift as I get closer and closer to a surgery date. He has agreed to send a letter to my surgeon supporting my decision to have surgery as long as I promise to keep in close contact with him about my "food issues". Isn't that the best combo anyway? Take care of some of the physical problems we face through WLS and let the shrinks keep us on the right track mentally? I just know for sure that once I have this surgery I'll feel better every day. This is NOT one of my manic whims!! Seven months of research is not a manic episode, is it???? : ) good luck to us all!!
   — f M.