having second thoughts please help me

Soon to be approved for D S with Dr Chu in Lafayette.La and wondering about a lot of problems with this WLS . I have huge problems with my diabeteas ,using 1500 units of R insulin a day and very resistant to insulin and was told by my doctors this D S  will rid me of diabetes .

I am concerned with even tho i do conform to the right protiens and Vits,will my energy level go way down or will it return ?. My biggest concern is Severe Depression also. I'm not usaully a depressed person but i heard it could be bad after the DS surgery. Am I worrying to much. Please please respond respond.

Thank You very much

Gary

My energy level was fine after a couple weeks.  I wasn't severely depressed - although I did feel a little sad that I could no longer comfort myself with food and I had TONS of food dreams.  Yes, there is a little frustration with trying to eat and drink enough - but that goes away after a short while.  Yes, you think it's never going to get better or easier, but it does.  And now, just 5 months out, I'm down almost 110 pounds, my energy is considerably greater (I can hardly sit still at work and at home) and there are tons of things I can do now that were a challenge just 5 months ago.  I am grateful that I did this, it made me feel like I can control my food instead of it controlling me, and if I never lost one more single pound, I'd still be happy.  I didn't have diabetes, but I've seen what it does to people, and just that alone would make me want the surgery regardless of any of the other inconveniences.

I wish you luck and peace with your decision!!!

I'm not sure where you're getting your information but it seems pretty off to me and I've been on these boards a groups for almost 6 years. People who already suffer from depression may still suffer from it, but the DS and the life style doesn't normally create new depression. I see issues with other surgeries but not so much with the DS. We return to normal lives pretty quickly and normally the energy comes back within a few weeks post-op. You do have to do your part with the protein, vitamins and lower carbs as you mentioned. You do have to learn to deal with the morning poo routine and gas that comes with too many carbs, but that's all manageable. Hang in there. Diabetes is usually "cured" with the DS but some folks can take a couple of months before they can actually come off the insulin. You can do this.    

You might want to read up on the DS on www.dsfacts.com. That site was put together by some pretty knowledgeable DSrs.

--gina

My DS cured my diabetes.  And that was the major reason why I did it. 

I could no longer lose weight, even when my doctor had me cut my calories to 600, carbs to 10 or less, and working out 4-5 times per week.  Now I lose weight like I used to when I was 20 or 30 years old. 

My energy levels are triple what they were.  For one, 60 lbs gone means I am carrying a lot less tonnage around all day.  Secondly, my insulin is working correctly again so my cells are able to absorb the blood sugar and give me energy.  I feel better now than I have in the last 20 years. 

There are going to be mental highs and lows.  This is a life changing surgery, and your body burns through the fat cells pretty quickly.  I had complications after my surgery, so I was pretty sick for about 6 weeks afterwards.  Since then I've had one time of mild depression for a couple of days.  The rest of the time has been all highs.  I'm very happy, very productive, I'm exercising every day, good things are happening to me, my whole life is changing for the better.  I'm not normally this happy - so I know it's the hormones in the fat cells.  Too bad.  I wouldn't mind feeling like this for the rest of my life.

The DS is a very big surgery, and it's only natural that you will not be energetic immediately after.  It took three good weeks before I truly felt like doing much of anything.  I also had a problem with eating, but an upper endoscopy with a little strretching fixed that.

As with any major surgery, it's going to take time for your body to bounce back.  It's also a process of getting familiar with your immediate post-op eating plan, and vitamin supplements along with protein.

I've read that there is "food mourning" that goes along with WLS, but the good news is that most DSer's don't expeience that, because our eating plans are so varied, and allow us to eat like "normal" people, only in smaller portions. That  took working up to for me, but I know some who were eating small portions of steak and chicken their second week out.

The post-op recovery period is different for everybody.  The most important thing is to not rush yourself into solid food until you are absolutely ready.  It will take some trial and error, but still, give yourself time to heal.

 

Just my observation....Think about this....Diabetes is known to cause depression. Obesity can cause depression. The DS cures diabetes and obesity....

I live with depression and have on and off over the years. I have learned to deal without medications because of my medical training I know when I am depressed and use therapeutic methods to deal with it. Obesity depresses me. Having diabetes depresses me. Not being able to move around like I should depresses me. The things that do make me happy such as being healthy and being able to walk without pain are the things that make me happy. The DS will give that to me. Looking forward to surgery. 

Probably anything you have read about depression and the DS is with people who already have depression and or with major food addictions that use it for comfort. Good news though...with the DS your diet is less restrictive than it is with other WLS. In order to lose weight and keep smelly poop down you will have to lower your carb and sugar intake. I guess for sugar addicts I guess that could be a bit depressing. 

Anytime someone has something major like surgery they go through a down time. Your hormones will be off and your life style will change. Once you get through the recovery stage you will be fine. If not then get yourself a psychologist to help you deal. For anyone that has depression issues they  need one anyway. 

I would weigh the pros and cons...if your diabetes is seriously that bad (and it sounds pretty bad if you are taking that much insulin) then I would not let the possibility of depression keep you from having the DS. Diabetes that bad is a death sentence at some point and so is obesity. 

That is just my opinion....

The DS part of this surgery has been used in Europe for years to cure diabetes.  This is tried and true.  I believe it is Larra who had a great post about her husband.  I remember her saying he even probably lived longer for it. 

I don't know about the depression part of it. 

I do know that my complications and then now issues have caused me a lot of energy problems.  I take my vits & get my protein in although struggle with food at times.An observation I have noticed, men seem to do better than women with this surgery ...  the one's I met in my surgeon's office (3 of them to be exact)... No issues no problems.

 

Will your energy level go down? Yes...temporarily. It's major surgery and major metabolic changes. But once you recover, and lose some weight, and your diabetes domes under better control, you will be amazed at how much MORE energy you will have. Lugging around all those extra pounds takes a lot of energy. Imagine how much easier life would be without that burden.

 

Take the time you need to read and learn more about the Ds. dsfacts.com is a great place for accurate info about the DS. While you may still be nervous about having major surgery, you should walk into the OR confident that you have made the best decision for yourself that you possibly can.

 

Larra

I have never heard of the DS causing depression, like MajorMom said, but in most cases, diabetes disappears. There are people who talk of personality changes, particularly in the first year. Some of those changes are hormonal and are attributable to weight loss. They are exacerbated because of the speed of which the weight is lost. Secondly, people will treat you differently, and your reactions to them may surprise you and be different than the "old" you. Lastly, you will have a new confidence level which will result in changes in how you treat others. So you will definitely notice some changes, but nothing that has to do with depression.

Good luck! If you can commit to taking care of yourself post DS and follow the DS regime, the surgery will be life changing, both in length of life and quality!

All you folks have really really helped me ! Thank all of you for your wonderful insight !!!!

I'm gonna do it

Thank youuuuuuuu

Gary