Is anyone else autistic and having or have had WLS? Or knew an autistic that has had surgery?

I have Aspergers and am currently pursuing VSG. I'm down to my three final clearances but struggling with getting psychological clearance due to my disorder plus depression and anxiety. I've been in therapy and doing extensive journals for months. It feels like I'll never get approved. My psychologist appears more concerned about me dealing with life after surgery because of my autism than my depression (which I'm getting treatment for). As in, she's specifically mentioned that because I am autistic that she feels that I'll struggle horribly with post op. Did anyone else experience this roadblock?

@cajunredpanda, that is great news! I think you are making the right choice with the reflux. I would have gotten RNY if I had had any issues with it.

1 hour ago, cajunredpanda said:

Okay, I went to my latest appointment this morning. This was the most optimistic meeting I've had since starting in March. She looked over my logs and had no concerns with it. She liked that I was exercising, that I was taking my medicine, that I was getting back into old hobbies. Her main concern was still my support group at home. She wants one or both of my parents to attend my next meeting on the 29th to know their perspectives and that they'll at least support and understand my decision. My mother supports it, albeit being slightly skeptical (she thinks I'll be one of the people that eats through the surgery immediately), so I think I'll be approved then.

I was also notified that the surgeon now believes that RNY would be the best for me. He originally considered RNY but was concerned about me dealing with the lifestyle change as an autistic, so he recommended VSG for me at the initial consultation. I guess either something in my earlier food logs or very mild reflux when laying down changed it back to RNY. The reasoning wasn't explained to me. I'm a bit wary of the malabsorption but not to the extent of my father. He was barely okay with VSG because it was the least invasive. I wish he could come to the appointment but it looks like only my mother would be able to attend; my father just got a new job and he won't be off until either Thanksgiving or inclement weather since he works outdoors. It does get stormy this time of year so who knows.

Keep fighting the good fight and do the best you can, you deserve good things. It can be hard feeling like you don’t have support but this is for no one else but you and it’s not fair for your mother to judge before you have even started, especially since you are already doing well making changes in the right direction. Hopefully she can at least support the effort. Because long term it’s not up to her anyway. We all worry we will mess up, but better to have the RNY tool to help us on the journey than to try to go it totally alone. You can always come here and vent frustrations or seek advice.

All the best to you at this next meeting.

My apologies for never updating. I was finally approved by my psychologist right before Halloween! She said that I made great progress and just wanted one meeting with one of my parents to make sure that I had at least one person's support. My mother attended and all three of us discussed my case. At the end of the meeting she told me that she would discuss her recommendations to the surgeon on the following Thursday and wished me the best. I have RNY scheduled for December 11.

Thank you so much to everyone here that supported me and gave me advice. It really helped during my pre op journey.

8 hours ago, cajunredpanda said:

My apologies for never updating. I was finally approved by my psychologist right before Halloween! She said that I made great progress and just wanted one meeting with one of my parents to make sure that I had at least one person's support. My mother attended and all three of us discussed my case. At the end of the meeting she told me that she would discuss her recommendations to the surgeon on the following Thursday and wished me the best. I have RNY scheduled for December 11.

Thank you so much to everyone here that supported me and gave me advice. It really helped during my pre op journey.

cajunredpanda that is awesome news! Congratulations.:) it’s the first steps to a long journey and we all hit some bumps in the road but I knew you would finally get approval, you’ve worked so hard to earn it. And now as you head to the steps toward surgery you have a place to share and people who care. Thank you for sharing the good news!

My apologies for never updating. I was finally approved by my psychologist right before Halloween! She said that I made great progress and just wanted one meeting with one of my parents to make sure that I had at least one person's support. My mother attended and all three of us discussed my case. At the end of the meeting she told me that she would discuss her recommendations to the surgeon on the following Thursday and wished me the best. I have RNY scheduled for December 11.
Thank you so much to everyone here that supported me and gave me advice. It really helped during my pre op journey.

Fantastic news. So happy for you and best of luck.

Wonderful news!!