HomeBreaking WLS NewsWeight Loss Surgery Increases Suicide Risk gwhqadmin October 8, 2010 Breaking WLS News 2 Comments 2 Responses Teresa Talkington October 20, 2010 I’m about 5+ yrs post RNY; Dr Provost did my surgery in Dallas. My preop weight was approximately 500#, my lowest weight was 265# and I fluctuate 30-40lbs. I have gotten rid of all of my “fat” clothes so that I have to keep my weight controlled, otherwise I have nothing to wear. I can certainly understand why one would become suicidal after WLS. I battle with depression, both before and after my RNY. As far as feeling suicidal, I have had those thoughts and feelings several times, but never acted upon them. My biggest issue is the body image difficulties that I now have as a result of all of this redundant skin that is hanging off of my body. My breasts are so saggy that I have difficulty finding a bra that works; my abdomen hangs and swings when I walk. When I look in the mirror, I still feel like the ugly fat person I was before surgery, just a bit thinner with all this skin. And being intimate with a partner is difficult when one looks and feels like I do. I struggle with infections in the skin folds that are a constant battle for me to keep under control and are probably the cause of the multiple infections I’ve had since 2002. I have been wanting to get re-constructive surgery, but no one will touch me because of my history of recurrent infections and because I still have more weight to lose. Over the years, my pouch has gradually stretched so that I no longer feel full. It’s a constant battle to not overeat. I know that I need a revision but I’m not sure if Medicare will authorize payment for the revision as well as a body and breast lift. I could probably argue that it’s medically necessary with all of the infections that’s I’ve had over the years. To get back to the topic of the post, I think there are many factors that would cause one to commit suicide after WLS…..my theory is negative body image, being disappointed in one’s weight-loss results, continuing depression, and lack of support at home. admin October 31, 2010 Teresa, get your doctor to document the recurrent infections caused by the redundant skin. If you have insurance coverage, this should be sufficient to have your insurance carrier pay for plastic surgery to have the excess skin removed. This can help tremendously with your body image, as well. But remember, you are not your body — you are amazing as a person, inside and out!
Teresa Talkington October 20, 2010 I’m about 5+ yrs post RNY; Dr Provost did my surgery in Dallas. My preop weight was approximately 500#, my lowest weight was 265# and I fluctuate 30-40lbs. I have gotten rid of all of my “fat” clothes so that I have to keep my weight controlled, otherwise I have nothing to wear. I can certainly understand why one would become suicidal after WLS. I battle with depression, both before and after my RNY. As far as feeling suicidal, I have had those thoughts and feelings several times, but never acted upon them. My biggest issue is the body image difficulties that I now have as a result of all of this redundant skin that is hanging off of my body. My breasts are so saggy that I have difficulty finding a bra that works; my abdomen hangs and swings when I walk. When I look in the mirror, I still feel like the ugly fat person I was before surgery, just a bit thinner with all this skin. And being intimate with a partner is difficult when one looks and feels like I do. I struggle with infections in the skin folds that are a constant battle for me to keep under control and are probably the cause of the multiple infections I’ve had since 2002. I have been wanting to get re-constructive surgery, but no one will touch me because of my history of recurrent infections and because I still have more weight to lose. Over the years, my pouch has gradually stretched so that I no longer feel full. It’s a constant battle to not overeat. I know that I need a revision but I’m not sure if Medicare will authorize payment for the revision as well as a body and breast lift. I could probably argue that it’s medically necessary with all of the infections that’s I’ve had over the years. To get back to the topic of the post, I think there are many factors that would cause one to commit suicide after WLS…..my theory is negative body image, being disappointed in one’s weight-loss results, continuing depression, and lack of support at home.
admin October 31, 2010 Teresa, get your doctor to document the recurrent infections caused by the redundant skin. If you have insurance coverage, this should be sufficient to have your insurance carrier pay for plastic surgery to have the excess skin removed. This can help tremendously with your body image, as well. But remember, you are not your body — you are amazing as a person, inside and out!
