Scared- Will long past Bulimia disqualify me? Should I admit to it?

[bellabloom 2,467]

Hello ladies-

I am at the beginning of my journey towards a healthier life. Next week I have my first appointment with my surgeon! Everything looks good for me- my weight qualifies, my insurance covers, my family supports. The only real fear I have at this point is being disqualified for STUPID past behavior.

6 years ago I have a 6 month bought with bulimia. I stopped on my own realizing I was being ridiculous and putting my life at risk. I never had the true urge to throw-up, it was only a desperate try to loose weight, which ultimately failed anyhow.

I wouldn't even be concerned about it except it is in my medical records, as I sought treatment for at "eating disorder" later on. Again, hoping that would help me lose weight! I didn't and now this little fact of my bad decisions is on my permanent records.

I am so terrified the doctor or my insurance will say no way because of this period of my life!! So unfair, I can't even say how awful that would be.

I haven't had even a second of bulimic behavior in the past 6 years. I received intensive counseling on the subject and put it in the past. For being overweight I am actually a pretty responsible eater, I just have major problems with potion control and yummy sugary things.

Have any of your wonderful ladies gotten approved after admitting a past eating disorder to your doctors? Do you ladies think this will disqualify me?

I am really scared it will.

Would love and appreciate your insight!

[James Marusek 5,244]

Part of the surgery evaluation performed by the doctor will be to determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery. As a result, most have candidates undergo a psychological evaluation. I would think being bulimic and then correcting that behavior would be a plus on that evaluation.

I don't know how the insurance company will react.

[Chelly 364]

My gut feeling is yes you should say something and tell them how you overcame it and that you've had counseling for the past few years.

Part of the process is having a psyc. evaluation and they from talking with you will find out if you are ready for this surgery and understand that you have to work at making this work. That the surgery is not a magic bullet and will fix everything, that it is a tool to help you.

Just take the process one step at a time.

I think you will be fine.

Good luck.

[smiley922 447]

I admitted in my psych eval that I had used bulimia on occasion many years before when I had binged on a diet, wasnt something I was comfortable with and didnt want to do it again ever. The psychiatrist still approved me for surgery and advised that if I started to struggle with anything to seek counseling asap.

Hope that helps.

[dc0520 263]

Always be upfront and honest. I was documented for 6 years bulimic and overcame it. This was 10 years ago. I could have ignored this piece BBC of the time lapse but I was very honest. They asked me my reasons I stopped which was my first pregnancy (kids have a way of bringing you down to reality). I was told by the surgeon that I would not have been approved had I not been honest which happens a lot. They want you to tell the whole story not tell them what you think they want to hear hope that helps.

[Bronxmerci 312]

Hello ladies-

I am at the beginning of my journey towards a healthier life. Next week I have my first appointment with my surgeon! Everything looks good for me- my weight qualifies, my insurance covers, my family supports. The only real fear I have at this point is being disqualified for STUPID past behavior.

6 years ago I have a 6 month bought with bulimia. I stopped on my own realizing I was being ridiculous and putting my life at risk. I never had the true urge to throw-up, it was only a desperate try to loose weight, which ultimately failed anyhow.

I wouldn't even be concerned about it except it is in my medical records, as I sought treatment for at "eating disorder" later on. Again, hoping that would help me lose weight! I didn't and now this little fact of my bad decisions is on my permanent records.

I am so terrified the doctor or my insurance will say no way because of this period of my life!! So unfair, I can't even say how awful that would be.

I haven't had even a second of bulimic behavior in the past 6 years. I received intensive counseling on the subject and put it in the past. For being overweight I am actually a pretty responsible eater, I just have major problems with potion control and yummy sugary things.

Have any of your wonderful ladies gotten approved after admitting a past eating disorder to your doctors? Do you ladies think this will disqualify me?

I am really scared it will.

Would love and appreciate your insight!

i have a similar story to yours, i omitted that on my psych evaluation because i was never diagnosed and i wasn't addicted to it, i just thought it would make me thinner which it did. i was 16, so about 7 years ago, and i stopped on my own and never did it again. since you say that its on your record, i would be honest but if not i'd keep it to myself unless you felt you would do it again. my honest opinion. i hope everything works out for you.

[bellabloom 2,467]

Thank you ladies! I am pretty sure it will be okay!!!!

[viktoryalynne 28]

I have fought eating disorders majority of my life. I was honest with everyone involved and was approved by my insurance company. (Humana PPO) The surgeon and I discussed it and he still thought I was a good candidate for the surgery and would be beneficial for me!

[viktoryalynne 28]

I have relapses about every ten years.

[Beni 1,484]

My bariatric doctor stated that WLS surgery has the same outcomes for patients with eating disorders or not. I thought that was interesting. I am more of a Portion Control kind of person. I think the crucial point is your ability to follow the diet protocol. From everything I have read (a lot) the best you can do is be organized about what you eat. Your WLS will do the rest at least in the short term. Later on, making good choices will be crucial. The hope is you will develop good habits in the first year that will carry through.

[bellabloom 2,467]

In case anyone has this same issue_ I was honest with both my nut and psych about this problem and about getting treated for it. They saw that I had been treated as a plus and actually felt I was a better candidate for the surgery because I had already been through therapy for food issues.

So it wasn't a problem for me and I would suggest being honest.

My insurance is still in the approval process but I don;t think it will be a problem for them either.