Does Having Depression Ruin my Chances?

[Madam Bomb 0]

Im getting mixed feedback in regards to how depresssed candidates look to those evlauating them for this procedure. On one hand obesity can cause depression or make it worse and this procedure can help relieve people with depression. Then on the other hand im getting the impression they dont want people with emotional issues getting this done. I'm really scared on which approach to take on this because I do have depression and I have been treated for it for several years now. Alot of my depression does seem to be weight related but not all of it. I'm not sure if my regular doctor is going to play a roll in this evalutation process and expose that information or if she isnt't consulted and I just keep this to myself when I undergo the psych eval. I'm doing this purely because I believe it will help me acheive a happier life , free from a prison inside my own body trapped by food and fat. I dont have voices telling me to do and im not doing it to make anyone else happier, this is for me.

[lisah25 3]

Im getting mixed feedback in regards to how depresssed candidates look to those evlauating them for this procedure. On one hand obesity can cause depression or make it worse and this procedure can help relieve people with depression. Then on the other hand im getting the impression they dont want people with emotional issues getting this done. I'm really scared on which approach to take on this because I do have depression and I have been treated for it for several years now. Alot of my depression does seem to be weight related but not all of it. I'm not sure if my regular doctor is going to play a roll in this evalutation process and expose that information or if she isnt't consulted and I just keep this to myself when I undergo the psych eval. I'm doing this purely because I believe it will help me acheive a happier life , free from a prison inside my own body trapped by food and fat. I dont have voices telling me to do and im not doing it to make anyone else happier, this is for me.

In my evaluation, we talked about my depression. I've been taking anti-depressents for about a year now. It wasn't at all a problem for getting approved for the surgery. The only strong suggestion was to stay on my meds for at least a year post-surgery, since my body was going to go through a lot of changes.

[StephM 0]

Im getting mixed feedback in regards to how depresssed candidates look to those evlauating them for this procedure. On one hand obesity can cause depression or make it worse and this procedure can help relieve people with depression. Then on the other hand im getting the impression they dont want people with emotional issues getting this done. I'm really scared on which approach to take on this because I do have depression and I have been treated for it for several years now. Alot of my depression does seem to be weight related but not all of it. I'm not sure if my regular doctor is going to play a roll in this evalutation process and expose that information or if she isnt't consulted and I just keep this to myself when I undergo the psych eval. I'm doing this purely because I believe it will help me acheive a happier life , free from a prison inside my own body trapped by food and fat. I dont have voices telling me to do and im not doing it to make anyone else happier, this is for me.

Do NOT hide your depression during the psych eval. I thought I would be thrown out too because I was "psycho", but I actually think it helped my case. I have been on anti-depressents since I was about 12. Addtionally I was abused as a child which I thought would throw me out as a candiate as well. Well guess what??? I was approved with flying colors. She did mention that as a victim of abuse, I needed to watch that I don't sabatoge my weight loss down the road thinking I'm not worth this. She also suggested that I stay on my meds at least a year past the weight loss if not the rest of my life.

If you are concerned, bring it up during your evaluation. I think as long as you realize you are depressed and are willing to get help you will be just fine.

Good Luck!

[louise162 0]

I have suffered from severe depression since 1994 but have been stabilised on medication since 2003. My surgeon was initially concerned about the depression but after talking to me at length he deduced that I was very rational and wanted the surgery for the right reasons. The lap band won't make your depression better only you can do that with therapy and the right meds. Best of luck to you!

[Madam Bomb 0]

I really do want to be honest about everything and it would make me feel better to do so and have them see I'm of clear thought and focused. It's good to know they can see around that and not just cast you off as a nutcase or something. LouiseR, the lap band can help me lose weight there fore give me a happier life where I dont have to be depressed about having nothing to wear and not feeling good in my clothes. It's so depressing to be tugging on my clothing all day because this part or that part is exposed or my t-shirt snuck up on me, my pants fell below my belly. The other day a co-worker asked if i wanted his belt because he observed me pulling my pants up every other minute. My belly is now pushing my pants below it and i hate that feeling so i pull them up because it feels like it pulls it in a little. SO uncomfortable, so depressing. Now that I could do with out.

[mypov 0]

MANY overweight people have some sort of emotional issue, so there would be a drastic reduction in the amount of people getting weight loss surgery if they didn't operate on people who had emotional issues IMHO.

I have had depression for years that has been treated fairly well over the past couple of years. However, since surgery things have gotten tougher for me. I think that I felt a major source of my depression was my weight- but lately it is seeming the other way around. Without the foods to dull the emotional pain I feel sometimes- it has been difficult. It hasnt' stopped me from losing weight though.

Another thing is that I think my antidepresants aren't working as well. I attribute this to the major hormonal changes that are happening in my body as a result of the weight loss. I've got a doc appt to help me change things up a bit as far as my meds.

Also, talking to my gorgeous, thin, 5-year-post-op-from-bypass neighbor, she attributes having kept off all that weight by having a great therapist who has helped her not turn to the food again when times got tough.

I'm going to start seeing a therapist regularly now per her advise.

Be honest with your dr.'s and have a plan of action to show them you are prepared for the issues that will come up- cause I'll be honest- This has been very hard for me emotionally despite the success I'm having.

Good luck!!!

[juliegeraci 7]

I am getting treated for biopolar and depression. I had no issue getting approved by insurance. It only came up in my psych eval and he had no issue with it. Good luck.