Hello all, I'm going through the process of getting approval for a gastric sleeve. I'm about half way done and I'm expecting to have surgery in by July. I've always been a generally sad and gloomy person and since starting my journey it has only gotten worse. I have some positive moments but they are soon clouded with negative thoughts like maybe I'll get denied and just ballon up more. I want this so bad but if something bad can happen it always will. This surgery will be a huge improvement for my life and I'm afraid it will slip through my hands because of something stupid and I just don't know how I will deal with that. How do you guys stay positive? Another contributor to my depression is my psoriasis that has been flaring up and the ointment is breaking out my face and I feel generally gross. Not to mention school stress. Has anyone dealt with psoriasis and did their surgery improve it? Sorry for such a long sob story but I had to vent.

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First, I'm so sorry you're feeling this way. I hope you know that just because you feel this way, that doesn't mean anything is wrong with you.

Depression is a dick, and depression lies.

When I finally learned that, I was able to move forward. Everyone is different, and everyone suffers differently. What has helped me was several months in therapy last year, combined with an anti-depressant (Wellbutrin). It's not a miracle cure, and I still have days that are just all around terrible, but I have far more good days than bad. And in fact, it was the idea that I couldn't "fix" myself on my own, that I needed tools like therapy and medication, that made me realize I should have WLS.

The main thing is to remember - depression lies.

I've been there/am there - I see an excellent therapist and psychiatrist who have saved my life more times than I can count. I doubt I could navigate all the upcoming changes without them and my medications. Hell, I doubt I could navigate life without WLS without them!

I'm also in school and have psoriasis...can't speak to the effect of surgery on my skin because I'm still pre-op, but I have had it on my face at some points and it's awful. It does tend to wax and wane, though, on its own terms rather than mine.

First, I'm so sorry you're feeling this way. I hope you know that just because you feel this way, that doesn't mean anything is wrong with you.

Depression is a d**k, and depression lies.

When I finally learned that, I was able to move forward. Everyone is different, and everyone suffers differently. What has helped me was several months in therapy last year, combined with an anti-depressant (Wellbutrin). It's not a miracle cure, and I still have days that are just all around terrible, but I have far more good days than bad. And in fact, it was the idea that I couldn't "fix" myself on my own, that I needed tools like therapy and medication, that made me realize I should have WLS.

The main thing is to remember - depression lies.

Thank you for you kind words, I was on Wellbutrin a few months ago and although it helped my mood overall when my mother was mean or having an anger fit -which she does often- I would get really upset and cry rather than get angry or ignore her and according to her it's much easier to stop my antidepressants then for her to try to be less of an harsh abrasive person. I think I will definitely need to get some therapy and I know a lot of the anxiety will go away if I get an approval.

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I've been there/am there - I see an excellent therapist and psychiatrist who have saved my life more times than I can count. I doubt I could navigate all the upcoming changes without them and my medications. Hell, I doubt I could navigate life without WLS without them!

I'm also in school and have psoriasis...can't speak to the effect of surgery on my skin because I'm still pre-op, but I have had it on my face at some points and it's awful. It does tend to wax and wane, though, on its own terms rather than mine.

I am definitely considering seeing a therapist and psoriasis is terrible. I have it on my scalp and Patches on my body that keep popping up more and more everyday. I have a terrible diet and I'm hoping the surgery will be a vital tool in eating a cleaner diet with much less preservatives and junk, which might help my psoriasis.

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I'm afraid it will slip through my hands because of something stupid and I just don't know how I will deal with that. How do you guys stay positive?

I think from an early age I realized that I have to become an unmovable force. You have to plant your feet firmly on the ground and resolve to go forward no matter what.

During the approval process, there were many challenges. So I just put blinders on and continued forwards. When I went through the 6 months of medically supervised weight loss and exercise program required by my insurance company, they refused to pay for my doctor visits. Maybe a more accurate statement was that they paid for the first but not the second. They paid for the third but not the fourth. They paid for the 5th but not the 6th. When I challenged the insurance company, they claimed they made a mistake but would not try and take the payments they made to the doctors back. It made no common sense. They mandated this medical requirement.

Also when I choose a doctor for one of the specialized tests required during the second round of pre-op tests, I choose this doctor based on the fact that he was within network. But the insurance made payment as if he was out of network. When I challenged the insurance company and told them their own online list of medical personnel listed this doctor as within network, they still objected. They said it must be some clerical error and they were not responsible for the payment.

So don't give up but be prepared to dig your heals in and then move forward. Set your fears to one side and focus solely on your movement forward.

I'm afraid it will slip through my hands because of something stupid and I just don't know how I will deal with that. How do you guys stay positive?

I think from an early age I realized that I have to become an unmovable force. You have to plant your feet firmly on the ground and resolve to go forward no matter what.

During the approval process, there were many challenges. So I just put blinders on and continued forwards. When I went through the 6 months of medically supervised weight loss and exercise program required by my insurance company, they refused to pay for my doctor visits. Maybe a more accurate statement was that they paid for the first but not the second. They paid for the third but not the fourth. They paid for the 5th but not the 6th. When I challenged the insurance company, they claimed they made a mistake but would not try and take the payments they made to the doctors back. It made no common sense. They mandated this medical requirement.

Also when I choose a doctor for one of the specialized tests required during the second round of pre-op tests, I choose this doctor based on the fact that he was within network. But the insurance made payment as if he was out of network. When I challenged the insurance company and told them their own online list of medical personnel listed this doctor as within network, they still objected. They said it must be some clerical error and they were not responsible for the payment.

So don't give up but be prepared to dig your heals in and then move forward. Set your fears to one side and focus solely on your movement forward.

thank you you are absolutely right, even if I do get denied the first time or go through a tough time with insurance if I try hard enough in sure I'll be able to find away through it.

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@@Amurillo04, you've got a lot on your plate. And you have some very significant issues not related to whether or not you have WLS.

First, whether or not you take an antidepressant, and which one, is NOT up to your mother! It's up to you and your psychiatrist. Second, if you are not currently in therapy, I heartily recommend finding a therapist that uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - these are techniques you can learn to handle stressful situations so that they don't spiral out of control.

Third, if you are not seeing a specialist about your psoriasis, you need to. Psorisis often has an autoimmune component and a specialist needs to work with you on this.

These things need to be dealt with BEFORE you have any life-changing surgery. Why? Because having the surgery itself is stressful. You need to know what medications work for you for both the psoriasis and the depression before surgery. You need some tools to use in order to work your way through the immediate postop period.

You've got a lot going on and I really, really hope you are able to get the help you both need and deserve for it all. Good luck to you.

@@Amurillo04, you've got a lot on your plate. And you have some very significant issues not related to whether or not you have WLS.

First, whether or not you take an antidepressant, and which one, is NOT up to your mother! It's up to you and your psychiatrist. Second, if you are not currently in therapy, I heartily recommend finding a therapist that uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - these are techniques you can learn to handle stressful situations so that they don't spiral out of control.

Third, if you are not seeing a specialist about your psoriasis, you need to. Psorisis often has an autoimmune component and a specialist needs to work with you on this.

These things need to be dealt with BEFORE you have any life-changing surgery. Why? Because having the surgery itself is stressful. You need to know what medications work for you for both the psoriasis and the depression before surgery. You need some tools to use in order to work your way through the immediate postop period.

You've got a lot going on and I really, really hope you are able to get the help you both need and deserve for it all. Good luck to you.

Hi, I do have some problems I do need to address, I agree. I am seeing a specialist for my psoriasis. I was on a very painful injectable for over a year that worked wonderfully before it just stopped working, I tried to go to ointments right now and it works ok on making the spots go away on my scalp but is not helping the spread on my body. It is a very stressful situation that very hard to treat and I'm starting to lose my fingernails as well. It is very frustrating to have a problem that is seemingly impossible to fix as I've been to many dermatologist. It makes me feel very helpless. As for a therapist I am definitely going to take you guys advice on it because I cannot handle the stress very well and it affects me very badly. Thank you for your advice

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There are many other antidepressants than Welbutrin. If you have no choice but live with your mother's behaviour then perhaps trying another one would be a good idea. I have a bi-polar husband and bi-polar children. Over the years they tried many meds before finding the right ones. During that time I had to live with their moods and found taking meds myself really helped. Lessening your stress load with meds and therapy might make a big difference in your psoriasis. Good luck.

I use to have a skin condition similar to psoriasis that has cleared up completely due to a better diet, hormone balance, and overall effect of surgery.

In fact, one of my worst inflammation days was the actual DAY OF SURGERY. It was so embarrassing because it made my face terribly splotchy and I felt like the ugliest and fattest person on earth. Upon my release from the hospital two days later, the nurses were amazed how clear my face looked. It may have been just due to lowered anxiety and stress, but it has still never returned to this day.

I use to have a skin condition similar to psoriasis that has cleared up completely due to a better diet, hormone balance, and overall effect of surgery.

In fact, one of my worst inflammation days was the actual DAY OF SURGERY. It was so embarrassing because it made my face terribly splotchy and I felt like the ugliest and fattest person on earth. Upon my release from the hospital two days later, the nurses were amazed how clear my face looked. It may have been just due to lowered anxiety and stress, but it has still never returned to this day.

Thank you! This give me a lot of hope that the surgery may help it get better

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