Bi-Polar Disorder, does Gastric Sleeve help at all?

[pinkbunies 359]

I found this forum while looking up information on a place in Mexico. I have tried really hard for the last three years straight to trim down and get to a healthy weight and I keep failing. I do really well and then I gain the weight right back.

I'm 29 and 6 7' and weigh 274. My ideal weight is 220. My BMI is 31.5.

Yes, I know I'm tall but I'm still overweight and I can't get it under control.

I also suffer from Rapid Bi-Polar disorder which is what brings me to post this question.

Has anyone had the Gastric Sleeve Surgery that also suffered from Rapid-bi polar depression and if so, did you notice any improvement after your surgery?

I'm wondering if my bi-polar depression will improve any if I can get my weight under control. I was at 310 pounds so I have improved but I can't drop below where I'm at right now. I walk 5 miles in the morning, 3 to 5 miles at night, an average of 45 miles a week.

I watch what I eat, but my job ... sometimes I can burn a ton of calories and other times its slow.

I have both the cash and credit to get the surgery either in the States or Mexico.

I've talked to my Psych doctor and she tells me... your tall, your not over weight... but I have man boobs like no other and as she tells me this, she complains about her own weight and how she has tried so hard. So I don't know if its her job to tell me what I want to hear, or what.

In short, I work hard and I can afford to pay for the surgery out of pocket as my insurance won't cover i. I'm just wondering if anyone has any input on the bi polar issue. I do take meds for it and have it under control. My family also has a history of diabetes, cancer, brain cancer, high blood pressure etc. I don't want to follow in their foot steps. I want to change things for the better.

[roundisashape 712]

Have you had a body analysis done? Sounds like you're extremely active, and that can throw the BMI off. Your fat mass might be a lot lower than you think it is. At 54 pounds overweight, even paying cash you might have trouble finding a surgeon willing to operate.

As for the bi-polar disorder, I'm not sure. You could probably expect to need your medication fiddled with if you proceed anyway - you've probably been down that road before, so it might feel like things are worse instead of better for a while.

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck!

[pinkbunies 359]

So far, I haven't been declined by any of the surgeons I've spoke with. I've made it very clear that I'm not extremely obese and its just something I want.

I'm looking at the specials the forum sent me when I signed up.

The only part of fat I have is in my mid section. Legs and arms are total muscle... like solid muscle.

[woo woo 872]

At the very least I would think it would enable you to eventually reduce the dosages on some medications.

That can't be a bad thing, given that many of the bipolar meds have some fairly bad side-effects.

[DarkerIncubi 0]

I am 49 and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder ~10 years ago.

I started this thread back in November, check it out: http://www.crazymeds.us/CrazyTalk/index.php/topic/27707-bipolar-and-gastric-sleeve-any-success-and-failure-stories/

In all likelihood the surgery will not help your mood. If you're down from 310 to 274 you would probably feel some relief already. If not, don't expect anything new.

Don't look for permission from your pdoc. You can ask her questions such as "Do you have any patients who have done this, and what was their experience?" or "Do you think the surgery will have any impact on my medication dosages?". You should have her take blood levels on all meds possible (probably just the anticonvulsants) prior to the surgery so you will have baseline levels in case of mood troubles.

Good luck with whatever direction you choose.

[Stevehud 1,790]

Personally I would think that any doc who would perform a gastric sleeve for a 50 pound loss on a guy as tall as you would be medically irresponsible if not downright negligent.

[JerseyCityGal 231]

Removing most of your stomach will neither cure nor improve a brain disorder. That's magical thinking.

What will help your stomach and man boobs is going to a personal trainer and working with him or her on your diet and exercise routine to target the layer of fat on your abs.

Your man boobs can be corrected with simple plastic surgery IF you still have them after you hit your goal.

[nugirl402 4]

Bi polar here. Just got sleeved. Pm if you want.