Hi,

I searched the forums and the search isn't that great so I couldn't find an answer. Here's the question:

I have bipolar and general anxiety and going over my paperwork with my mental health advocate (my therapist has already signed off on the surgery), she mentions that being bipolar and having general anxiety won't impede my surgery but it would be called off if I had borderline personality disorder (BPD), which I don't have.

The very, very short explanation of BPD is someone who cannot regulate their emotions and and typically have unstable relationships such as family, professional, and romantically. It can be managed a variety of ways typically with CBT or DBT but it can be controlled. My therapist, whose had WLS themselves, has no idea why BPD would be a limiting factor.

Does anyone know why?

From my experience with my youngest with BPD, there are also self-destructive behaviors that can be part of the deal. I imagine that could be a show stopper for WLS.

Good luck,

Tek

1 minute ago, The Greater Fool said:

From my experience with my youngest with BPD, there are also self-destructive behaviors that can be part of the deal. I imagine that could be a show stopper for WLS.

Good luck,

Tek

That's a good point!

I’m sure it’s just the insurance companies excuse to not pay. Bipolar disorder use to be an automatic exclusion not too long ago. Any mental illness would cause an issue if one was unstable but if they are stable it shouldn’t matter.

I’m sure it’s just the insurance companies excuse to not pay. Bipolar disorder use to be an automatic exclusion not too long ago. Any mental illness would cause an issue if one was unstable but if they are stable it shouldn’t matter.

Yeah, it depends on your insurance probably and the program but in my experience most programs just want to see that you're stable. I have bipolar disorder and when I went in for my initial consultation I was shocked the doctor did not give me a weight loss goal. He instead wanted me to go through 4 months of counseling with a psychologist and stay consistent on my mood stabilizers, then pass a Psych eval.

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3 minutes ago, fourmonthspreop said:

Yeah, it depends on your insurance probably and the program but in my experience most programs just want to see that you're stable. I have bipolar disorder and when I went in for my initial consultation I was shocked the doctor did not give me a weight loss goal. He instead wanted me to go through 4 months of counseling with a psychologist and stay consistent on my mood stabilizers, then pass a Psych eval.

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Sounds like a good doctor that really wants to set you up to be successful.

Sounds like a good doctor that really wants to set you up to be successful.

Haha yeah. I watched too much of my 600 lb life prior and was just expecting a weight loss goal XD

but yeah, I was in counseling prior but definitely wanted me to put the pedal to the metal on my mental health and get a whole treatment team on board. I'm glad I did. It really helped.

I think if your surgeon cares about you and you have a mental health diagnosis like bpd or bipolar you'll just need to show you're putting some work in to achieve some stability and learn appropriate coping mechanisms.

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