[serratneednewlife]

i do have a question i saw the psychologist for the evaluation she told me that due to my depression she cant clear me to have the surgery inmediately but she want me to work on that the months i will be in the process to get approve that is 6 months she want work with me 5 months. I am scare that the surgeon say to me that i cant continue that i have to wait until i be fine. is that possible or they work with me hand by hand at same time. also is that a risk for me in terms of insurance approval i ma desperate. thank you

[DocSanae]

I am copying in my reply to you in another thread of yours, I am nervous .

If the psych dr asked you to come back for therapy until your surgery, my advice is to do so as asked.
A lot of thie journey will be mental, not physical, and if you are already diagnosed as being depressive, then do not be surprised that the post op adjustment you need to make about food and your lifestyle will be a stressor that will temporarily make your depression worse before it gets better. There are a number of people, both pre and post ops, on this board are on anti depressants.
Besides, if you are scared your surgeon will not give you a date because of your depression, then what better reason is there than to have it treated and taken care of beforehand, even before he gets a chance to say something about it.

If the psych has already told you that you won't get psych clearance unless you get treated first, then insurance will not apporve unless you comply, and the psych dr considers you are ready.
Believe you me, once you have had the surgery, and are on the weight losing stage, you will be glad that you had your depression taken care of beforehand.
I strongly advice you not to try to find a way around things, but instead, tackle whatever comes up head on, and one by one. That is actually the shortest route to your goal, no matter what. The more you try to cut corners now, you will find what you cut out, will come back with a vengence later on, that will have you have a much harder and longer time dealing with them then, than how it can go now.

((((((HUGS))))) May your journey go well.

[fr1endly2]

hugs...i am sure once your treated the surgeon
will be fine with proceeding
ITS for your well being i know i battled horrible
moods since the surgery. ONE would think
i would be dancing on cloud nine with all the
weight gone but it doesnt do that.

hugs! get the help now while you do the
supervised diet!
good luck
and do keep in touch

[A new me]

It think that its good to do both. My journey took almost 9 months to get thru all teh hurdles before surgery. ITs better to do all this now and be prepared ahead of time. Hang in there.

[Rachael]

Right now it is open enrollment so I was checking the various insurance companies to see their criteria for WLS.

You probably should check the specifics of your company, but one said that if you have a mental illness, it will not automatically disqualify you, they just need to know so they can determine the best way to help.

Another company does not disqualify you if your depression is because of your weight - going so far as to say that depression doesn't count if it is because of your weight.

Another doesn't automatically disqualify if you have depression, but like above, just want to know to help make your treatment plan.

[mlg78]

Having a diagnosis of depression will help you get approved by insurance but you also have to be getting help for your diagnosis. I have a diagnosis of depression but I occasionally utilize counseling and I've been on Zoloft for years. My depression is treated but I still have the diagnosis following me which will help me in getting approved (in the next two weeks -- pray for me! :P).

[lezlyrs]

I have bipolar depression and my psyc dr. cleared me because i have been stable on my meds for 3 yrs now. But i would try to get the depression under control before surgery. The first 3 weeks after surgery were very emotional for me i cried alot. But its so better now. I have finally got to the point that i can be around people that are eating my favorite foods and not cry. WLS is a very emotional journey. I didnt think it would be, but it is.

[LittleLisaMarie]

I am very happy to hear that the docs are taking your situitation seriously. Not happy thats it is harder for you but happy that they are making sure you are in the right state of mind prior to surgery. This is such and emotional roller coaster of a ride. I think the most important clearnace we can get for this surgery is our psych one . We have surgery on our tummy not our brain. So alot of the issues that are causeing our emotions prior to surgery will still be there . I am an advocate for therapy and medications when needed. I have worked in psych for many years as a registered nurse. I am in therapy and will continue in therapy prob for the rest of my life.....i know that it helps me. This is a scary journey a life changing one. Get the depression under control and eliminate some of the post op stuff .....Best of luck and keep us posted.

LittleLisaMarie

[myavt]

I have said several times (so it feels kinda like I'm going blah, blah, blah to me)... ...that 1) I'm a Mental Health Professional; 2) I also suffer from depression. I've never been specific that mine is the same as Lezly's, the bi-polar form.

My most recent surgical/medical eval was pain management for my degenerative spinal disorder to 1) have surgeries when necessary; 2) be put on maintenance morphine!!!!!!!! ...a pretty big deal. When I saw the required psychologist he diagnosed me a CURRENTLY ACTIVELY depressed BECAUSE of the pain and my inability to "do life" anymore. So...

Assured that I would be safe with meds and stay in treatment, the diagnosis actually JUSTIFIED the surgeries, meds, etc. If your psychologist is following normal protocols, as long as you're not suicidal and have the emotional strength to cope with surgery, it ought to be the same for YOU.

In the meanwhile, think of this: the amount of time the therapist wants to see you is about the same as the amount required for paperwork to clear!!! So, you could kick back, work with her and pass the waiting time.

Please just relax and try to breathe. Consider things rather than being impulsive with words and actions. If you seem extremely desperate and upset all of the time, certainly your providers will want you to reliably RECOVER from that state before your operation.

Best to you!!!
XOXO
Mya