Advice needed pleeeeease!!!!

katieo · May 8, 2006

Hi everyone

I'm new here and thinking of going for the lapband op but there is one thing worrying me. I have been seeing my gp a lot lately about my depression and i have a feeling that i may be suffering from binge-eating disorder, i have been referred to an eating disorder specialist and awaiting assessment. I know that i have a lot of emotional and self-esteem issues to work on but i am finding it extremely difficult to be at peace with myself when i am so uncomfortably over weight(need to lose 140lbs)

I checked out a clinic in Belgium yesterday and they say on their website that they will not perform the op on someone with psychiatric problems but the thing is a lot of my problems are down to my weight.

I am really worried that they will turn me down and I wil struggle with this for the rest of my life, any advice anyone?????:help:

x Katie

sheryl · May 8, 2006

I don't struggle with clinical depression, thank gawd, but I can tell you that I have been so depressed about my weight for most of my life. And I think many of us are binge-eaters. I don't know too many overweight people who have a high self-esteem...

I had more than 160 pounds to lose and I was depressed and I binged like crazy. But I wasn't suffering from clinical depression. I think there is a difference. Most clinics will do a psychological test to determine if you can handle the band, and to see if your expectations are in line. I don't think depression caused by being overweight is the abnormal.

Hugs to you!!!

jcbydesign · May 9, 2006

I have clinical depression and I am scheduled for surgery May 23rd. I passed the psych exam with no problems. I think that they are looking for people with major psyhiatatric problems who may hurt themselve or that their depressiion might interfere with their complliance or ability to take care of themselves post-op. Just talk to the psychiatrist or therapist about how you are depressed because of your weight.

I'd call the surgical group and ask them if they do surgery on people with depression . If they say no then find one that will. They are out there.

Good luck,

PhotoNut · May 9, 2006

I was almost denied because of depression. I failed my first psych evaluation. I had started taking Effexor, an anti-depressant, about 4 weeks prior to that evaluation. Typically, it takes 6 weeks before the Effexor is stabalized in the bloodstream enough to see the full effects. So the psychologist told me I could re-take the test after two more weeks. My test showed that I was still depressed but it was under control now. Severe depression, in remission was his notation on my approval.

I think that many of us have weight related complications, both physically and mentally, which need to be under control in order for the surgery and following journey to be a success. Giving up food and the extreme lifestyle change that happens with weightloss can be overwhelming. And if we are already teetering on the edge, well... they don't want to push us over.

Talk to your doctor about getting some medical help with the depression and find out if you can be evaluated after you've had time for it to really begin working in your body. Best of luck to you in your journey.

Sincerely,