[Pookyl]

While I’m nowhere near the fattest person in the world I had been considering having bariatric surgery.
I had a consultation for a gastric sleeve a month ago and have just found out I’m not a candidate because of a medical/surgical condition but primarily because of my unstable bipolar. Condition of surgery is that I must have bipolar stability for a year to be considered. The chances for me being stable for that length of time are sweet FA.
Feeling discouraged. Just venting.

[Victoria'smom]

I'm sorry. My husband has been jumping through hoops for surgery for 5 months. Blood work, diet classes, sleep study, everything. He's already seen their psychologist and she says she's going to try and get him denied but that she's not the only one to make the approval. I think it's ****ed up to deny someone due to their mental health. Can you go to another surgeon?

Why you have to be stable for a year? If your doctor comes up with a BS answer, then I would find a new surgeon like Miguel'smom said.

I can't imagine myself being stable for 1 whole year. And even then, who's to say I wouldn't become unstable after surgery anyways? Sounds ridiculous.

[Blueberrybook]

I'm sorry about that. It might be less painful though if you can diet and do it on your own. I am by no means an expert, but I had stomach surgery for a perforated ulcer in February, and the gastro-doc told me part of my surgery was akin to getting a gastric sleeve (hence my reduced appetite). Now, I'm sure the recoveries are very different - I was only given ice chips for 5 days, sips of water only to swallow medicine, had an IV, tubes everywhere, but the worst of it was the pain. OMG, I did not know it was even possible to hurt so much. Of course, my surgery was more extensive as they had to do an exploratory lap, a washout, and repair a hole in the duodenum/small intestine. I have a 4 inch scar now from belly up. I honestly wished the ulcer had killed me or that I had died in surgery. I hallucinated for several days (from the pain, I think, not the bipolar). So, I don't know it could be a blessing in disguise. If that surgery is even half as painful as the one I had, it will still beat the pain of unmedicated childbirth by a million miles.

I had to have the surgery; it was not by choice. Without it, a perforated duodenal ulcer that doesn't self-seal (and mine wasn't) is usually fatal, so it is considered a medical emergency. You don't even get gastroenterologist surgeons; you get the trauma surgeon team because it's important to get the surgery done ASAP.

[pirilin]

My wife and Co., when she was in the board of cardiology, let a nineteen year old die because he had no family support post op.
Matching heart warm and waiting. She excluded herself from the board that day.

[Deejay14]

Originally Posted by pirilin

My wife and Co., when she was in the board of cardiology, let a nineteen year old die because he had no family support post op.
Matching heart warm and waiting. She excluded herself from the board that day.

I am not surprised. My brother just had a double lung transplant and the doctor told them that not having a very reliable dependable support system is their biggest reason for denying transplant. Luckily support was a big strength for my brother. The first three months is ALOT of care. It requires someone with you literally 24/7 for at least 6 weeks. As tragic as that was I am pretty sure that heart did not go to waste. When there is an organ available for a hospital, the transplant team calls two patients to assure the organ gets used.

[~Christina]

The vast majority of people who want the surgery has some kind of mental health issue trauma etc

I think it’s BS being denied

Is there another surgeon you can talk to ??

I’m so sorry you hit a ridiculous wall like this.

I’ve never been stable for a year and honestly don’t know any fellow Bipolar that has.

[99fairies]

Maybe your just not big enough.

[Pookyl]

Thanks everybody. I’m going to see if I can’t find a 2nd opinion.

99 fairies, I don’t look that big but my BMI is high enough to fit the criteria.