Really need help. Have been a patient at a methadone clinic for over 3 years for heroin addiction and take methadone daily. I'm not sure if I should tell my doctor. I am worried that either my insurance won't cover or he won't do the surgery since I take the daily methadone. I haven't touched heroin or any other drug in over 3 years. Anyone have any personal experience with this? Thanks!

Hi and Welcome. I don't have an answer to your question, but I did want to say congratulations on being clean for over 3 years. As we all know, addictions are tough to beat. I hope you do get the surgery and I predict you will do well if you do. Good luck to you!! Becky

Well, I have no personal experience, but you do need to tell the anesthesiologist and doctor about methadone because it may require special attention in the operating room. I don't know if they would have to disclose it to your insurance company, but you seriously don't want to risk your life over this. I applaud your efforts to become AND STAY clean and sober. It's an awesome accomplishment.

Perhaps you could investigate it anonymously and go to a seminar with a doctor other than your own and ask if the methadone treatment would prevent them from operating on you. That way, you wouldn't be putting the information out unnecessarily?

Tell your doctor! Insurance shouldn't have to know, it's the doc's call if he wants to do the surgery with your situation.

I agree...congrats and yes you should tell your doc. He's going to be operating on you; he needs to have all the info so he can get you through it safely!

:smile:HI, I am also on methadone been clean over 2 yrs. My Dr. knows I take Methadone he said he had patients before that was on Methadone. I am a private pay but I would not see why it would matter to the Ins. Good Luck D

afplott Would love to here how you are doing. My surgery 6/23 I have lost 12lbs. Hope you are doing well Debbie

Edited July 10, 200917 yr by debbied888

I worked in the substance abuse field for several years, so my recommendation comes soley from that experience. You really do need to tell your surgeon so that the anesthetist can safely bring you through surgery.

Here is the ONLY place there could be a problem/issue with your insurance: did you disclose this during your psych eval? If you did not, and you share that you did not with the surgeon, he is in an ethical postion to have you redo your psych eval. Addiction of any kind is a major factor in evaluating your readiness for life after weight loss surgery. If your insurance required you "pass" a psych eval...this is the only problem I might anticipate.

I do hope you at least tell the surgeon for anesthesia reasons and I do hope you have a safe successful surgery. WTG on getting your life back in your control!!!

It will only effect you if you do not tell him/her. Always safe to devulge all info to somone who is doing surgery on you.

Methadone is in the opiate class. Opiates can cause constipation and reduced gut motility. I don't know how or if that would affect your success with the band but your surgeon may keep that in mind when determining how much to put in your fills. Just a thought.