Question:
Depressed After approval! Can I be Denied
I have already been approved, And I want to know if I can be denied or my date pushed back, Because I am starting to develop some depression, I am sure it is stress related 2 family illnesses,My best friend with a severe spinal injury, Work Problems, ShouldI bing this up to my DR. or should I wait till after surgery, Thanks Joseph — Joseph D. (posted on March 30, 2003)
March 30, 2003
Joseph, I don't know if your doctor would push your date back or not. What
do you think? How much depression are you feeling? Is it affecting your
work performance or your relations with friends and family? Are you
isolating - finding yourself staying away from events you normally would go
to? How far off is your surgery scheduled? Sometimes people have
mentioned going through some depression right after surgery. Is going on
some psych medications a possibility? Perhaps your doc could prescribe
something to help you through. Do you think you're getting more depressed
as time passes? I know I'm asking you a lot of questions here, but I think
your concern about it is valid. A lot depends also, on how soon your
surgery is. Do you think that the depression could keep you from being
able to take care of yourself properly? What if someone you loved came to
you with this question? How would you respond? Good luck finding your
answer.
— Judy K.
March 30, 2003
Joseph, I don't know if your doctor would push your date back or not. What
do you think? How much depression are you feeling? Is it affecting your
work performance or your relations with friends and family? Are you
isolating - finding yourself staying away from events you normally would go
to? How far off is your surgery scheduled? Sometimes people have
mentioned going through some depression right after surgery. Is going on
some psych medications a possibility? Perhaps your doc could prescribe
something to help you through. Do you think you're getting more depressed
as time passes? I know I'm asking you a lot of questions here, but I think
your concern about it is valid. A lot depends also, on how soon your
surgery is. Do you think that the depression could keep you from being
able to take care of yourself properly? What if someone you loved came to
you with this question? How would you respond? Good luck finding your
answer.
— Judy K.
March 30, 2003
This is a tough question...I don't think your approval will be removed, but
I think YOU need to think about if you want to put your body and mind
through the strain of this surgery now. I feel great now, but the first
three weeks after surgery were among the roughest of my life. Do you have
a therapist/psychiatrist? I'd recommend talking to a doctor trained to
deal with depression QUICKLY. If you talk to your surgeon he/she might
push back the surgery, but the underlying depression issues won't be dealt
with. Good luck, honey.
— Tamara K.
March 30, 2003
Go to your PCP and talk to him or her about how you are feeling. It sounds
like more of a situational depression than clinical depression and could be
helped with therapy and possibly medication quicker than severe clinical
depression. This is nothing to be ashamed about and is very understandable
with everything going on in your life. If you get started on meds now
hopefully you will be seeing some benefit even before surgery and it will
make after surgery easier to deal with, especially if you have even some
minor complications. I do not think anything would be delayed unless
someone was so depressed as to try to commit suicide. That would warrant a
delay as the extreme depression needs to be under some sort of control
before surgery. It does not sound like you are anywhere near this point.
Besides, even if someone decides to delay it will be because it is in your
best interest for a safe surgery and recovery. I really don't think you
have anything to lose to seek treatment now. I personally would not wait.
Untreated depression does not get better, just makes you more depressed.
<p>I got medical clearance for surgery and I have been treated for
depression since 1995. It took till about 3 years ago to fully come under
control. There is no way I would have gone through this surgery without my
depression medication. As well as I am controlled I have had 2 partial
days when I was down some and I have no reason why. Then I was back to how
I've felt for a long time - able to deal with anything. I've had
incisional problems and started throwing up at 5-6 weeks etc. yet I have
been able to deal very well with these things because my depression is
controlled.
<p>Get to the doctor now!! No matter what happens you will not
regret it!
— zoedogcbr
March 30, 2003
People may disagree with my response to this question, but I say go for
your WLS anyway...manage your depression as best you can before during and
after the surgery, but BELIEVE ME, as someone who was depressed pre-op,
once you start experiencing significant changes in your body, weight and
self image, you will start to feel better, all the way around. In my mind,
morbid obesity and depression form a vicious cycle...am I depressed because
I am fat, or am I fat because I am depressed? Nip the cycle in the bud,
and I bet a lot of your depression goes away - and the quicker you can
begin the process the better. At least that's been my experience. I am
not saying WLS is a pannecea or a magic bullet, but, bottom line, life
post-op is not that difficult at all, once you get past the first few
months. Good luck in whatever you decide.
— rebeccamayhew
March 30, 2003
The main thing in answer to your question that I should have said in my
answer below is don't share your depression with your ins. co or WLS
doc...don't lie, but don't volunteer the info - IF you are fully committed
to having the surgery.
— rebeccamayhew
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