Situational Depression & LapBand

MollyBrown · October 6, 2007

As I wait for my psych eval to finally schedule my lapband, I find myself at a weird stage in my life. The idea of having this tool put in place to help me get to a healthier and happier weight gives me hope, but I am stressed out with work, being a parent to a teenager (a good teen, but a teen none-the-less), being very active with volunteering at church, etc... And my husband and I have been so wrapped up in our daughter and being there for her and her activities, I am afraid we don't have much in common anymore. He is VERY supportive of the weightloss surgery, has not done anything to undermine it, but he is showing a bit of insecurity that is getting on my nerves.

I guess I might be going through a bit of situational depression because of all of these stressors, and I am worried if I am honest about it during the psych eval they could possibly say no to the surgery.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

tillykins · October 6, 2007

As I wait for my psych eval to finally schedule my lapband, I find myself at a weird stage in my life. The idea of having this tool put in place to help me get to a healthier and happier weight gives me hope, but I am stressed out with work, being a parent to a teenager (a good teen, but a teen none-the-less), being very active with volunteering at church, etc... And my husband and I have been so wrapped up in our daughter and being there for her and her activities, I am afraid we don't have much in common anymore. He is VERY supportive of the weightloss surgery, has not done anything to undermine it, but he is showing a bit of insecurity that is getting on my nerves. I guess I might be going through a bit of situational depression because of all of these stressors, and I am worried if I am honest about it during the psych eval they could possibly say no to the surgery. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Mollybrown, the only reason they do an evaluation is to see if you are a good candidate. There are certain type of eaters that the band will not do anything for them. It is a tool and some emotional eaters will be very disappointed if they continue unless they can face their problem. They also want to find out if you suffer with depression that causes thoughts of suicide. It was very interesting to me to find out why I eat the things I do. I doubt you will have any problems. They had me read a book called Emotional Eating by Edward Abramson. Very good book! Except for a couple comments that I found that was contrary to what I believe as a Christian. The other thing I wanted to comment about was your husband. My husband was very concerned not 100% OK but a wonderful support. Is this what you are saying? The doctors will want to know who your support people will be.

It sounds to me that this is a good step for you. Don't get discouraged and go for it.

MollyBrown · October 7, 2007

My husband is 100% supportive, and he is not just saying he is, he really means it. I have come across a few associates (sort-of-friends) who are saying they are supportive but are a little judging about it (hard to explain). But the insecure thing with my husband is the, you are going to get skinny and leave me kind of thing. He brought it up once, and then I was talking with my sister-in-law about possibly getting a breast lift when I get the extra skin removed, and he mentioned it again. Other than that he has been great.

I guess it is all swirling around in my brain, super stressful job, teenager getting ready to fledge the nest, needing to readjust our focus back onto our relationship versus all attention being on the child, etc....

Thanks for your supportive words though, I really appreciate them.

Daisalana · October 7, 2007

Just because on Big Medicine the other night, I disagreed with how the psychologist denied the patient due to depression.. (If I had seen this before my eval, I totally would have made sure I sounded bright and kipper).

But.. I'd not bring up anything depressing at all. That's just my opinion for the anxiety of being denied for depression which stems from being overweight!!!

My psychological eval, I didn't feel like getting into anything 'deep', so I just followed his lead.. I am a happy person, I don't have low self-esteem and I really needed this surgery for my back problems. THAT did make me suicidal. I tried to cut my legs off with a knife one night.. from delirium (sp) of the pain. I didn't bring that up of course.. those are the kind of things I avoided.