PSYCHOLOGICAL VISITS

OK MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN TALKING TO SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS THAT HAVE LOVED ONES THAT HAVE HAD SOME KIND OF GASTRIC SURGERY MOSTLY BYPASS AND THEY HAVE TOLD HIM THAT THEIR LOVED ONES SHOULD HAVE BEEN GOING TO SOME KIND OF COUNSELING BECAUSE THEY GOT ALL DOWN AND DEPRESSED. HAS ANYONE FELT THIS WAY AND GONE TO COUNSELING FOR THIS? I DON'T THINK I AM BUT HE IS CONCERNED FOR DOWN THE ROAD. BLESS HIS HEART HE JUST WANTS ME TO BE OK IN MY HEAD AS WELL AS MY HEALTH. I KNOW I HAVE TO SEE DR KELLER SOME TIME AFTER SURGERY BUT I'M NOT SURE WHEN THAT IS. I FEEL LIKE THIS FORUM IS MY MENTAL HEALTH HELP BUT MY HUSBAND WANTS ME TO AVOID BECOMING DEPRESSED OR DOWN. ANY HELP AND ADVICE YOU GUYS CAN GIVE US WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS!!

I haven't experienced that at all. However, I'm not normal anyway. My depression was pre-surgery and the loss of my mother.

I can tell you, though, that many people do change after surgery. I am more confident and outspoken and even sassier since surgery. Some people, though, do become completely different. Like every  major life trauma, people do change.

I think we are a good source of mental health. I would also say that if you felt yourself getting overly depressed that Dr. Keller would be very helpful.

I didn't have "buyer's remorse" at any point in my surgery or a bad day 3, etc. I never regretted the surgery even through battling an infection.

You have a sweet, caring husband. I hope he knows that he can help. Mine has carried me through the whole say.

OH YEAH HE IS A SWEET,CARING HUSBAND AND HE JUST WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR ME. HE HAS BEEN WITH ME EVERY STEP OF THE WAY AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE. I AM AN OUTSPOKEN AND VERY FRIENDLY PERSON AND I AM  USUALLY VERY HAPPY GO LUCKY AND I DON'T THINK HE WANTS ME TO LOSE THAT. I DON'T THINK I WILL BUT I GUESS YOU NEVER KNOW HOW THIS WILL AFFECT YOU. I THINK I AM DOING WELL IN THAT DEPT.

That was my biggest concern pre-op because I'm a very happy person and I didn't want to lose that.  I didn't want to lose the personality I already had.  But how could I be depressed when I'm down 59 pounds?  I do know that when you're depressed you don't always recognize it yourself.  That's why we have each other and why we have loving spouses.

I wouldn't worry about it!  Just keep on being your little happy camper self!

That's great. Some experience hormone fluctuations, but I had a total hyster (everything is gone) and don't take hormones for it. I don't experience any different mood swings or anything and am always cold.

I think with a caring family and people here, you'll be fine. If not, Dr. Keller can help. I'm betting you'll still be the same you.

The only time I have been down post-op was during the stalls from hell.  I think part of my down feeling was hormonal.  Depsite a hysterectomy I am experiencing hormonal issues all over again.  I thought there for a fwe days I was going to have to put Dr. Keller on speed dial.  Unfortunately he was out of town.

I think you will know when and if you need a psychological tune up.  I suspect it may be more important down the road when we all get a little complacent about using our tool.

Denise

I heard seeing someone after surgery was a good idea to help you deal with all the changes.  It is also to help you deal with issues that led you to being obese in the first place and to help you not transfer addictions.  I know there has been people who have transfered their addiction to food to alchohol, drugs, and sex. I am sure there are others who do experience depression because losing food is like losing a friend.  I have to say I have not been depressed since surgery.

Sherri

I would suggest seeing someone.  I am a month out and pre-op I would have never dreamed that I would be this depressed.  I have major mood swings.  I dont want to eat because I cant have what I want.  I cry when my family are having things I cant have.  It is awful.   I question my decision over and over again.  But there is no turning back.  Just make sure you are mentally ready to do this, because I know now that I was not.  Hope this helped.  Sorry for all the negitivity. 

Heather, I hope you're seeing someone now so that they can help you feel better as you're getting healthier. You must eat, even when you don't feel like it. I'm glad that I'm making healthy choices and have the freedom from so much of my life revolving around food.

Also, for me, good daily exercise has made a MAJOR difference in my ability to cope and have a positive attitude. It has truly helped with my long term history of depression and I credit exercise with my ability to stop anti depressant medication since surgery. Whenever I get blue or nervous, I put on my tennis shoes and exercise .. it's hard to get started initially, but now I am at the point that I can't wait to get in my daily exercise. Start slowly and just increase every day and you'll see that it helps everything be in a better perspective.

Another thing that hleped me was the fact that I was so physically unhealthy before surgery with severe high blood pressure that was frequently medication resistant. To be rid of the high blood pressure and have a healthier long term outlook was so positive for me that the permanent lifestyle changes have been welcomed and been much easier for me. I was so sick of my previous lifestyle and choices that it has been freeing for me to dive into these healthy choices without regret. I literally believe my surgery and lifestyle changes have lengthened and improved the quality of my life ... and now I can concentrate my efforts and focus on so many other things rather than food or my previous lifestyle choices. 

I am keeping you in my prayers every day. I feel confident that things are going to be improving for you daily as your health improves and you work through these initial feelings after surgery. You might also need a regular check in with your personal doctor to make sure you aren't having major hormonal changes that may need to be checked or treated ... which are common after WLS. (I think being 52 kept me from having to deal with that post op ... one advantage of being post menopausal.)

I'm glad your husband is concerned.  I have suffered from depression for about 15 years now.  It's an animal if you don't have control over it.  I'm not taking as much medication as I did before surgery, but still have some very "blue" days for no good reason.  I'd say, just keep an eye on yourself & also have your husband keep his eye out for you as well.  I will vouch for the fact that you do change after WLS.  I have found that I'm not quite as tolerant as I was before.  I think it was because before surgery I just didn't feel like I was worthy of having an opinion, but now I guess I feel like I am "more" worthy.....I know this doesn't make a lot of sense, but take it for what it's worth.  Hope you never experience any of it