Surgeon Says No To Surgery.

[scarybird 1]

I am so very disappointed. Today, my surgeon decided not to do the surgery. I have insurance approval, my family doc and my psychiatrists approval... I even had a surgery date.

But I am bipolar and take a handful of psychiatric meds every day. I have switched meds frequently because of side effects. The surgeon is not comfortable performing the surgery as I haven't been on the same consistent meds for over a year. A year would show that the meds are working, and that I am stable.

But the thing is, I *am* stable. My moods are VERY stable. I still fight depression and anxiety some - but they do not hold me back from living life. I am totally compliant with my medications and my doctor's appointments - and I have a long, documented history of this. I have NEVER been on the same meds for over a year, and I doubt I ever will be.

But she is worried that I am not stable enough to handle the hormonal changes after surgery.

My heart is broken. This blow might affect me more than the surgery itself might have.

[Heyher 581]

Is there another surgeon you can talk to at a different location? Maybe find someone who has expierences with this situation? Don't give up. Worst case, call insurance and ask about out of network doctors.

[delta_girl 931]

There is a very real period of depression that happens for many of us after surgery. Your surgeon is acting with an abundance of caution, but is also probably truly concerned for your health and is being true to the spirit of the oath she took when she began practicing medicine.

You may want to talk to your psychiatrist again. I know of someone who was on anxiety/depression meds and even with those had a horrible experience with severe depression a few weeks after surgery. It may be different for different people.

[traceyc 89]

I agree, don't give up. Search around for another surgeon and get a second opinion. Or maybe get your doctor who you work with for your bipolor medications to talk to your surgeon about your situation.

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

I do understand why your surgeon decided to not do the surgery. My surgeon's took me off my medications a few weeks before the surgery and for quite a while after the surgery. And after surgery there is hormonal reactions that can trigger some severe episodes that will cause havoc for you. wishing you the best.

[scarybird 1]

Update: I talked with the surgeon again, and she agreed to look into it more.

Well after many, many hoops to jump through, multiple appointments with my psychiatrist and THEIRS, and personality testing... both psychiatrists are saying that they recommend me for surgery and I am stable.

The surgeons office will receive the other docs' reports by the end of the week... so the surgeon will make the final decision then. I hope my insurance approval is still valid and didn't expire.

Cross your fingers for me please!!

[Karishero 57]

i suffer from depression and anxiety and was honest with my surgeon about this, i am a little worried about becoming depressed also after surgery.. but i figure it can't be any worse than hating my self into depression to begin with. I am keeping close wraps on my phychiatrist and therefore if i have problems we will address them at that time. I hope everything works out for you. Pray about it, if it is good for you and God's will then it will come to pass!