Question:
hi i have a condition whitch is depresion and i am planning to have a surgery but
i dont know if they decline my petition because of this condition but at the same time i really want to have that surgerry done — luijess (posted on February 24, 2009)
February 24, 2009
Hi Jessica... I have been diagnosed with clinical depression and Bipolar,
type 2. I am taking meds to control it, and have not had any major
depression for over 5 years. They did not deny my surgery. Are you
working with a therapist or are you on meds to correct your depression? If
so, I wouldn't think it would be an issue, unless you indicate to the
person who does the psych eval that you think the surgery will cure your
depression, because that's probably not going to happen.
— Erica Alikchihoo
February 24, 2009
Depression is a big concern since the surgery can triger depression in
people who did not have it before. Jsut be sure you realize that the
surgery will not cure or treat the depression and giving up comfort foods
may make it worse.
If you have it controled with meds you should be ok.
— trible
February 24, 2009
Many obese people suffer from depression. Depression is not necessarily a
reason to be declined. What most doctors will do is to have a phycological
work up done to see if you are the type of person who is going to sabotage
his own weight loss. There are some people who become depressed after
weight loss surgery because of the side effects of the procedure that they
have chosen, because they can no longer eat their favorite comfort foods,
or because they can no longer eat the same AMOUNT of food that they could
before the surgery. These are the people that these tests are designed to
find. If the tests find that you are one of these people, you will likely
not be a good candidate for weight loss surgery, and you will be declined.
Sometimes weight loss surgery DOES help with depression, but usually it
does not. It HELPS when the depression is caused by a person's poor self
image due to obesity. When the weight is lost, often the depression goes
away. If your depression is caused by OTHER factors, do not expect much
relief from weight loss surgery for your depression. Sometimes the
chemical changes from some procedures can aggravate depression if you are
suffering from it when you have the procedure done, and some people who
have not been known to have depression have become depressed after surgery
for unknown reasons. I suspect that it is because of a chemical imbalance
due to the procedure that they had, but that was not part of the study that
I saw. Those are just my suppositions. I am not a medical professional,
but merely a patient, so take my thoughts for what they are worth. ;-) It
is VITAL that you do your own research! YOU are ultimately responsible for
your own health, and the doctors and other patients that you come into
contact with each has his or her own agenda. It is rare that you will find
someone who will have YOUR best intent at heart. Let me tell you, the
insurance companies certainly do not. Their purpose is to try to save
money. For MANY doctors, the goal is to try to MAKE money. The BEST way
to do that is to have REPEAT CUSTOMERS! To do that, many doctors may push
procedures that have the patient coming back for follow up care. I am a
FIRM believer in the K.I.S.S. Principle. Keep It Simple, Stupid! The
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy does just that! I have lost 112 pounds since
March 2, 2008! I have only about 30 pounds to go to make my goal. I have
had NO problems with the VSG, and I HIGHLY recommend it. If you want to
find out more about the various weight loss procedures available, check out
my profile page at: http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/hubarlow/ . Look for
my post titled "Surgical Comparisons." If you don't see it on
the main profile page, look for it in the March 2008 archives. I hope this
helps. Hugh
— hubarlow
February 24, 2009
I have depression and anxiety and that issues are a reason for approval.
It can be considered due to your overweight. Remenber one thing if you one
to be qualified you need to answer what they want to heard. Play the drama
queen on you appointment that you are so fat, everyone discriminates you,
you feel sick, bla,bla,bla. And he will qualify you
— reborning
February 24, 2009
There will be a psych evaluation done before the surgery, medication will
be discussed. In my case, I had to go on a different medication because my
pills had to be crushed for 6 weeks after surgery. All basis have to be
covered but it shouldn't be a problem. Best of luck to you.
— Corina C
February 25, 2009
I'd be careful in trying to "fool" the psychologist during your
psych evaluation because they are trained to look for that and it will not
sit well with them if they feel they're being manipulated. Also, if the
psych gives you a MMPI test be careful and answer truthfully because
questions are asked in such a way that deception is picked out right away.
You'd be best to be yourself instead of doing an act.
— Muggs
February 25, 2009
I agree with the other posts! Be honest during your psych evaluation.
Depression is another reason to have the surgery. Medication is an issue.
In fact it was the first medicine I was issued while still in the hospital.
I had my Lap RNY on 12/9/2008 and haven't suffered from any major episodes
of depression but have been taking depression meds and anxiety meds from
the day after surgery! Good luck to you!
— Fircrkr64
February 25, 2009
Is you depression under control?
Do you have a good doctor who is following your depression to make sure it
stays under control? your meds stay right?
The only problem I had is that I had to make some changes in my medication
until we found a good balance after my surgery. I was on a long-acting
form of my medication and have had to alter that for awhile until all
heals, when we will try to go back to the original script. I don't care
which version I take as long as it's doing it's job....grin
Other than that, you should have a psych evaluation prior to being approved
for surgery and if nothing else that would be a good topic to talk with
that psychologist about.
— angelvh2
March 1, 2009
Hi Jessica, I see you've gotten lots of responses but just wanted to add
my 2 cents re: depression. As someone said previously, depression and the
meds we take because of it do not help with our weight. I have dealt with
this sometimes roller coaster all my adult like. I had the band surgery
12/9/08. I have not had a major episode of depression since the surgery.
I have come to realize (no pun intended) in the last 2 months that it is
the fact that I took control of my life enough to do this for myself that
I'm feeling better. My surgeon, Dr. David Kim, and his staff told me up
front that the band was only a tool. And I have always like working with
tools. Enough about me. If the insurance company declines coverage, ask
again and again until they cave. You are worth the effort. Good luck.
I'll keep you in my prayers. Gail
— Gail G.
March 1, 2009
Jessica.. congrats on your decision. I appreciate the fact that you are
asking alot of questions and trying to find out as much info as you can.
On one of the other answers I gave you some suggestions for some books to
read. Check them out. I had depression prior to surgery and still have it
to some extent now. One of the requirements for being approved for the
surgery is to have a psychological evaluation. They look for conditions
that would keep you from being unsuccessful. While despression is
significant, it is NOT a reason for denial. You have to realize that the
surgery is only a tool for you to use. You still have to make healthy
choices in what to put in your mouth. The other thing that I recommend all
people who are thinking about surgery is this. Get some counseling. There
are all different ways of getting it.. from the county mental health to
private counselors. Speaking from my own experience only.. I was / am an
emotional eater. I used to find alot of comfort in food. When I was
considering surgery and was serious about going through with it, I sought
extensive counseling. My thought process was this... if I am using food to
"self-medicate" myself when I am upset, what will I turn to or
how will I handle it when I am unable to use that "crutch" any
longer? I didn't forsee myself turning to drugs or alcohol (which there
are people who do), but I could see myself trying to shop my family into
the poorhouse. I still struggle, at times, with healthy choices, but I
have learned to stop and THINK about what is bothering me that is causing
me to want to make sometimes unhealthy food choices. It is also easy to
blame your problems on your excessive weight. Things like, I would have a
better job is I was thin, I would have a better relationship if I was thin,
I would go out more if I was thin.. you get the idea. But, what happens
when you get thin and maybe you still have the same problems? I guess the
bottom line is that you have to come up with some good coping mechanisms.
You also have to learn to develop healthy relationships with not only food,
but the people around you. If you want to talk more you can look me up
under Kari_K on this site... good luck to you... Kari
— Kari_K
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