Sunday, September 18, 2011
I recently applied for gastric band surgery. Went through all the work with the dietician, counseling and so forth. Came back to the surgeon to try and set up an appointment for surgery. He told me I couldn't have the surgery and when I pressed him as to why he said the counselor had said I was "mentally not competent".
How many doctors out there (excluding those in the mental health field) have this type of backward and hurtful view of their patients suffering from depression. Even though I suffer from bipolar I am able to take care of myself, interact with people and so forth. Depression is NOT mental incompetence-for all you doctors out there
Hi, there. I'm so sorry this happened. I'm wondering if you would be allowed to get a second opinion from another psychologist. I've had gastric bypass surgery and I know all about going through the hoops; the psychologist I had to see wouldn't okay me until I "passed" his little depression quizzes - well, after a while, you know what they're looking for. I know they worry about depression getting worse after surgery, but I don't know if it's the same for the band type. I felt like being overweight was contributing to my depression. I have gained some of it back and it DOES make me depressed! Anyway, if you really want this, I'd see if you couldn't get another opinion or talk some more to the surgeon. I wish you all the best.
I'm allready crafting plans to try again with a different surgeon and hopefully a different psychologist! There aren't too many bariatric surgeons here, but there are a couple. Wish me luck.