Does anyone get refused for gastric bypass surgery? If so, why? by Dr. Sharon Orrange/Primary Care Physician: at DailyStrength Doctors and Advisors

Dr. Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California, San Diego, and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…

More About Me >>

FAST FACTS

LOCATION: Santa Monica, CA, USA

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

AFFILIATIONS:

Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of Geriatric, Hospital and General Internal Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

YEARS IN PRACTICE: 15

WEBSITES:

More About Me >>

Does anyone get refused for gastric bypass surgery? If so, why?

Posted in Gastric Bypass ... by Dr. Sharon Orrange on May 27, 2010

"Does anyone get refused for gastric bypass surgery? If so, why?"

Yes, there are people who may not meet the criteria for weight loss surgery or be evaluated and turned away. Here are some of the known contraindications to weight loss surgery:

1) Untreated major depression or psychosis may lead someone to get rejected from having a gastric bypass procedure. With most weight loss surgeons part of their multidisciplinary team will be a therapist who will evaluate your readiness prior to approval for the procedure.

2) Binge eating disorders are not an absolute contraindication but you will need to show resolution of that issue prior to approval for the gastric bypass procedures.

3) Current drug and alcohol abuse.

4) Severe cardiac disease with major anesthetic risks.

5) Severe coagulopathy (bleeding disorders).

6) An inability to comply with nutritional requirements including life-long vitamin replacement.

7) Gastric bypass surgery in advanced (above 65) or very young age (under 18) is controversial, but can be considered.

8) Generally you must have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 to be considered.

Dr O.

Related Discussions on DailyStrength:

My wife is living with bipolar... I was wondering if anyone with bipolar has had gastric bypass and if it would be safe with the medications she is on. two of these meds are depokote and risperdal... Posted on 01/06/09, 10:44 am

Gastric bypass... I was thinking of have this done, dose it work,should I have it done? Posted on 03/09/08, 12:14 am

Gastri bypass. I was told to lose 60 pounds before they can perform the surgery. Has anyone had this experience? Posted on 04/22/09, 08:45 pm

Send to a Friend

Share This

Digg

Del.icio.us

furl

StumbleUpon

Facebook

Yahoo!

Google

Previous: Could my symptoms be multiple sclerosis (MS)?

: How can I stop smoking crack cocaine? What treatments are there?

CATEGORIES: Answers

CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES: Bipolar Disorder • Bipolar Disorder - Teen • Depression • Depression - Teen • Depression in Children • Depression Supporters • Fibromyalgia • Gastric Bypass Surgery • Obesity

TAGS:

MEMBER COMMENTS

TOTAL COMMENTS: 11 - View All Comments »

Add a Comment

Displaying comments 11-1 of 11

I don't recommend Gastric Bypass because I lost my mother to it. Before she had, she was healthy; she was out going, funny and kind. But now, after she had it, she lost the weight, but lost herself as well. She became so weak, have anxiety attacks and mood swings over everything and started abusing medications and wine. I would give anything to have my old mom back again.

By lonelysith66 Jan 23, 2012

""There are many health issues that does make it extremely difficult if not impossible for some people to loose weight. For those people, gastric bypass saves their life.""

I do appreciate this side of situation, tho. SO, I do have mixed feeling about, but am certain it's not right for me.

By Terranova0 Jul 03, 2010

"""An inability to comply with nutritional requirements including life-long vitamin replacement"""

Wondering how they might determine this pre-op? Clearly the first requirement is in question by evidence of the patient's obesity.

The second example is just plain scary... "life-long vitamin replacement" because you've damaged your digestive system...?

I've actually been pressured to have this surgery, and then left to feel like I don't care enough about my health if I don't do it.

Someone said WLS reminded them of aversion therapy for gay folks- I am inclined to agree.

By Terranova0 Jul 03, 2010

Gastric bypass isn't an easy solution.... and for some people it does have huge repercussions, but for most it is a life saver. There are many health issues that does make it extremely difficult if not impossible for some people to loose weight. For those people, gastric bypass saves their life. There are people out there that do get the surgery for all the wrong reasons and for them it is a waste of time, money and a risk to their health, but for the ones who really benefit from it and really need it... it is a blessing and a life saver. I had some serious health issues and the surgery not only improved most of them.. but reversed them so I no longer have them. Congrats on your weight loss doing it your way... but don't look at gastric bypass as being a magic easy solution... it was far from that for me and I'm sure a lot of other people out there too.. it was a very well thought out and difficult choice to make.

By msmouse1 Jul 03, 2010

I think people need to learn to eat properly, no fast foods, no processed foods, and exercise. I lost over 80 lbs in 2 years this way, and I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. My husband just lost 30 on my whole food diet, and his blood sugar is improving. Gastric Bypass is a magic, easy solution, with huge repercussions. I don't care what the weight is. This is just a way for surgeons to make money.

By Angela53510 Jun 03, 2010

My Mother was declined for Gastric bypass because she has too many health issues. On top of being morbidly obese, she has diabetes and lung problems. They have already removed some enormous fibroid tumors from around her female organs and they had to leave the trech tube in her throat after that surgery. So they were afraid to do the By pass on her because they didn't think she would survive the surgery. I don't think my Mother would have followed the eating requirements anyway, so in her case it was probably a good thing but it still made her mad. I wish she had been able to get it because then she may have been able to recover. At this point we are just trying to keep her comfortable until we lose her.

By themnicozene Jun 02, 2010

I weigh about 300 and just had my gall bladder
taken out. I personally will not have it done.

By Uther672 May 31, 2010

yea and I had a supervisor died from this procedure. The lapband procedure is much safer. I am thinking aobut getting it due to my weight being a hindrance plus health risk...
no more gastric bypass operations...

By pitters971 May 30, 2010

I had gastric bypass June 2001. Different insurance companies have different critria to approve the surgery. I weighed 252 and my doctor gave me such a hard time, telling me I wasn't fat enough to have the surgery but after 9 months he finally referred me to a surgeon. I lost 110 pounds in 3 months. Since then I've gained back 15 pounds but still feel good.

By dc6289 May 29, 2010

find a different doctor if you've been denied by the doctor. I had an insurance company that for years refused to pay. Finally got my own insurance instead of hubby's and I had the surgery Sept 2010. So far I've lost 75 lbs it hasn't been a miracle cure I limit myself to 1200 calories a day. I would do it again in a heart beat!

By mjwildon May 28, 2010

I was turned down, the Dr. acted like it was her money not the hospitals. Of course I am on the hospitals program so they wld pay for it.

By starbright1949 May 27, 2010

Got a Question?