Question:
I am on disability for anxiety and depression..

Is this going to hurt my chances of getting through the psych exam? I just have been full of anxiety and depression the most since gaining the weight and was overweight when i got on disability. I lead a normal life just when I get in a working enviroment I panic and put a lot of pressure on myself then get so nervous i can't do my job I believe it is alot about my self esteem...Any advice appreciated    — JenLynn (posted on September 24, 2003)

September 24, 2003
I think if your depression and anxiety are to the degree that you are disabled, your surgeon and your psychologist will have quite a bit of concern about you being a good candidate for the surgery. My insurance, and my surgeon, both have guidelines about patients with debilitating mental disorders. My level of depression and my OCD are very minimal (well controlled for about a year now), and my psych doc thought I would be a great candidate. My surgeon told me that he would allow me the surgery only because my psych doc (whom I've known for years) thought I would be safe for it, but that he usually considers patients with these problems very carefully. The stress of being on such a rigid program postop can be difficult for people who are not already challenged, so those of us who are especially challenged in this need to be evaluated carefully as to what is in our best interest. If you have these issues, you should already be seing a therapist - are you? Someone whom you've worked with at length will be better suited to gauge your ability to handle the postop regimen than someone you just meet once or twice. If your issues really are only work related, and you have a psych doc who agrees, you should probably still be able to have the surgery.
   — bethybb

September 24, 2003
hi i have both depression and axsity and im on paxcil 60 mil and wellbrutrineb sr 200 mil and i went to my own dr for evaloation did fine 5 weeks post op good to have counsiling e mail me if you have questions
   — Linda D.

September 24, 2003
This might be a problem but hard to know for sure till you talk to your psychiatrist about it. The big question will be "do you really understand the changes to be made and what will be done to you and how will you deal with some of the things that can come up". The depression part of it is less of a concern as long as you are taking your meds and things are under reasonable control and you are in counseling. It's the anxiety that may be the culprit here. Since this is severe enough to put you on disability the docs will be concerned as to how you will deal with everything and will it set off your anxiety worse. <p>You have absolutely nothing to lose to talk to the doc about it. One of the issues with having WLS is that it does not fix all of the things that we used food to hide behind or not deal with. Those issues are still there and are forced to the front and center because now the weight is taken out of the picture. Take it from one who lost 200 lbs back in 94/95, ragined it because of severe depression, and had WLS in 2003. Depression and anxiety can sabotage your success, even after WLS. You will need to be in close contact with your counselor and psych doctor to adjust meds etc. While losing the weight will make you feel better about yourself and help with your self-esteem it will not fix everything.
   — zoedogcbr

September 24, 2003
Jennifer, I have depression and anxiety and am disabled due to it, however, I was approved for surgery without any problem. I was required to consult with my psychiatrist prior and he thought that I would have no problems. I do have head hunger at times, but nothing I have not been able to able. I wish you luck on your journey and God bless. Only you and your doctors can decide for yourself about your condition and the risks involved. Hopefully you and your doctors will make the choice that is right for you. Janice
   — betterfitness

September 25, 2003
heya jennifer.. i have bipolar disorder, and panic anxiety.. i was still able to get the wls ..but i was able to do my psych eval with my own psychiatrist..is this an option..?..also..i did councling to help my mental state..which probably helped me out with my eval..hope this helps..feel free to email me..best of luck..
   — johanna F.

September 25, 2003
Jennifer, Hi, I have Bi-polar and OCD. Any how, I just spoke with my Pyschiatrist about wls and he said no problem I think it would be helpful, some of our mental health is due greatly to our physical health, I am still pre-op (4 days), and he has already taken one pill away and slowly reducing Lithium before surgery, he wrote up whatever they needed right away and faxed it right over. He is a Godsend. Sometimes having some of these can be helpful. God Bless and good luck, Patti 9-30-03 314/290? I'm hopeful...
   — pateblkbrn

September 25, 2003
Hi Jennifer, I am bipolar and have anxiety/panic disorder and depression. I wanted to use my own psychiatrist (who is very supportive), but I had to use a psych my surgeon wanted. When I went to the appt. he told me we aren't here to decide if you are crazy or not (he was joking with me)but just to decide if you are informed enough about the surgery to make a conscious informed decision. I passed and am having my surgery on 10-10-03. Good luck. Oh I think it helps if you are currently treating your conditions, ex. meds and therapy. Lisa
   — Lisa H.