Need help please. Cannot find a WLS program! Health in danger...

[ladywolfsong 1]

Hello. My name is Heather. I tried to start my WLS journey 3 years ago. I have been denied even admission to a program, much less surgery, due to my diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. I was initially denied in 2011 due to my history of psych hospitalizations (all voluntary, where I asked for admission) for depression/Borderline resulting in suicidal thoughts. I asked for reconsideration in the last couple weeks due to my recent diagnosis of Stage 3 Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. I was told the NASH is progressing rapidly, and unless I can get the weight off, I will have cirrhosis of my liver within 5 years. The programs I have contacted so far are now telling me that the Borderline diagnosis precludes me from surgery permanently, because "Borderlines have poor coping skills". This may be true of the general population of Borderlines, but no effort was made at speaking with me, or with my treatment team, including my psychiatrist and therapist, who have known me for more than 5 years and support me getting the surgery. I feel that my health and my very life are in danger, and I cannot lose the weight on my own. I have been to 2 different dieticians, and tried Weight Watchers. I have a problem with self-motivation and I also have a major sugar addiction. I think the Roux-en-Y will help with the sugar addiction, and there is a lot of support and encouragement within a good wls program, I have found. I have done a lot of research into the RNY over the last 3 years...books, articles, websites, YouTube videos....I am so glad to have come across this site, and hope someone can point me in the right direction!

[Sparklingbeauty53 202]

I am a newbie so I can't help you but I am glad you are here and maybe someone here can help you out! Nash is scary and is what killed my mother so my prayers go out to you. That is serious! I hope your doctors/therapists can consult with WLS and find a program for you! Good luck!

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

Wow... it seems weird that they wouldn't consider your case specifically -- just saying if you have BPD you can't even be considered. I would think they would evaluate you based on your psychiatrist's recommendations.

When you say you've been denied, was that from your insurance or from a surgeon? If your psychiatrist is supportive of the surgery, it seems he could appeal to a surgeon or to insurance on your behalf.

Wishing you all the best...

[ladywolfsong 1]

I have been denied by the programs themselves. Never even got to speak with a surgeon directly, the program coordinators and nurses are telling me absolutely not. You'd think there would be someone, somewhere, willing to work with me, but so far no.

[jtickle 295]

I don't have borderline personality disorder, but I do have severe bipolar disorder. It is so bad that if I am not on my meds that I am a harm to others, not myself. My personal psychiatrist wrote a letter to my surgeon stating that I am capable of making my own decision about surgery. Another option could be have your therapist contact your surgeon personally.

[Writerjennifer 107]

I wish I had some advice for you. It's one thing to chose to not have surgery, but to be denied unequivically must be nerve wracking.

The only thing I can think of to tell you is not what you asked about. You can do this. If you believe you can lose weight with the surgery, for your health, despite any mental issues of the past... then you can show the doctors you have control. Find and follow the post-surgery diet. Document your progress. See if your insurance covers "weight management" and take advantage of the help they can offer. Weight Management could be regular meetings with a nutritionist, and or psychologist to asist you with your dieting efforts. Maybe after several months of following this track the surgeons and or WLS centers will reconsider.

Good luck and keep trying to lose, one way or the other, you can affect change.

Oh, and the light at the end of the tunnel... I was once told, even if you are eating healthy only half the time, it's better than not at all.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[Natasha Estrada 36]

I have well treated bipolar and no one has suggested that it will be a problem but I also didn't call up and ask they took bipolar patients. Just make an appointment for a consult and go from there. If the surgeon is willing to operate on your then that trumps most of the rest of the team.