[Cherry73]

Hi all. I've been in recovery since November 2005. I went for a presurgery psychiatric exaltation yesterday. I have to have multiple surgeries in order to not be in a wheelchair permanently. The psychiatrist has issues signing off on me having surgery due to past drug and my mental health issues. I currently have a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. I have not had any issues related to my diagnosis in years and have been taking my medicine as instructed for years. She said due to my past problems which were over six years ago, I may not be a good candidate for surgery. This is very upsetting to me. I am a single mom of two young children ages 3 and 5. First and foremost I strive to be the best mother I can be. I feel guilty every day for not being able physically to do all the things other mothers can do. If I don't have these surgeries in approximately six months our so I will be permanently in a wheelchair and have done permanent nerve damage. Which means I will be even less capable of taking care of my kids not to mention we will no longer be able to live in our current residence. We live in a trailer which is too small for a wheelchair to fit thru doors and hallways. In my opinion I have done really well over the past six years. I find it extremely unfair that the psychiatrist is holding this against and by doing so will make my life exponentially worse and could possible make me permanently disabled. I understand that what I did was wrong regarding the drugs but I have done everything possible to make up for that. I don't think that mistake is grounds to punish me forever. I could understand if I wasnt stable and had relapses over the years or if I had psychiatrist hospitalizations but I haven't. It's very discouraging to do the right thing and get my life together to just have this mistake being held against me. How long do I have to pay for my mistake.

[madisgram]

it's my understanding when surgery is needed the doctor only needs to keep you a liittle longer to assure the medication you have is out of your system. i had a severe back operation and that is what was done. if i am not mistaken it is the acceptable and perhaps legal-insurance companies-procedure. they need to cover this ad-on cause it's treating your other disease in an appropiate way. if it were me i'd get a second opinion.
congrats on your sobriety time. you earned it.

[Leed]

I agree. Can't you get another psychiatric exam and have that psychiatrist sign off that you are just fine and have been clean/sober for 6 years? You have more than paid for your "mistake" and you definitely need this surgery. It would be a crime to leave you in this condition and sentence you to a wheelchair permanently.

I'd do anything I could. Get another opinion. Appeal that first decision. Keep fighting this until you get your surgery okayed! Get a petition started -- whatever you have to do!!

I wish you the very best. Please let us know how this turn out. We really want to know. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

[layla11]

Hi, this psychiatrist is for the insurance purposes? I would defiantly demand an appeal. That doesn't make any since at all, not being able to walk is not going to effect you mentally? This psychiatrist sound likes shes really out there.. When something like this happens, try and stand up for yourself, you have every right to. You dont have to pay for anything you did 5 or 6 years ago. Thats was, this is.
Keep us posted.

[Cherry73]

Well I went back to the surgeon and he said because I take over 16 different medicines that would all have to be made into liquids post surgery, he thinks the gastric sleeve is a better option for me. Apparently after the surgery you are only allowed two medicine cups full of water and my medicine would be alot more than that and would fill up my pouch. So I had to call the psychiatrist back and tell her to write the evaluation based on the sleeve not the bypass. Only hold up is Medicare they haven't decided if they want to pay for it yet. They make their decision on October 31st. So until then.