Women versus Men and Depression

I was just wondering what the guys thoughts were on the subject of depression in women versus men.  It is amazing to me when I look on the regular RNY forum and see so many women talk about how they are all Bipolar or have some form of depression that causes mood disorders.  I can't really say I have seen anything like that on the mens forum side.  I realize medically it happens to both men and women ( Lord knows I have seen my share show up in the Emergency Room - I just haven't seen it discussed here in detail like the women do)  Now I could attribute all of these depression discussion tendancies to many things  - like how most women are able to open up more than most men, especially when it comes to discussing feelings of love/hatejoy/fear/abandonment, etc, etc. - you get the picture of what I am trying to say - the ability to be in touch with one's self.  My question is this - do you think most of the depression we see/read about on the womans side stems from weight issues pre/post operation?  Have any guys on the board here had issues with depression pre/post operation?  I understand if you don't want to discuss.   Me personally, I have never had any mental issues up to this point in my life, been pretty well adjusted.  I hope and pray that this surgery won't magically turn some switch on that makes me decide to go mental.  My psych. evaluation went great - no hidden closet issues.  I can't really say food has been my crutch - when things go bad in my life ( to the point of causing me to be FAT) - it has basically been related to making poor food choices when I no longer lived the active lifestyle I used to live when I was younger.   I hate the word FAT, but I am hoping very soon to scratch that word out of my vocabulary forever. Sorry to be so drawn out.  I'll sit back and learn from you guys the "sensei masters" who have been here a while.   Taz

Well Taz, part of the reason I lurk more than post is because I don't seem to have the mental issues either, and if you say anything that overly sensitive people sense as "negative", they get all up in your grill. In my case, the few times in my life I am sad, I change scenery. Go to the beach, walk in the woods, just get outside. I was also a paltry 280 on the day of surgery, so I never approached the super morbidly obese area, and I suppose there are seperate issues there as well. I hate therapists, shrinks, and I find no use for them at all, but then again, I obviously don't need them. By the way, I am coming up on 4 years post RNY and I eat chocolate, protein, and only do minimal exercise (hate it), and I am still hovering between 205-210#. Best of luck.

I am so glad you responded to my post.  It is quite gratifying and inspiring to know that you are 4 years post-op RNY and you are able to eat chocolate, protein, and do minimal exercise, and then still be able to hover around 205-210.  My surgery is right around the corner - next Thursday the 28th to be exact - hope I can have your success and live life somewhat normal as time goes on.   As far as the shrink thing goes, I know they have their place in the medical field, but I, like you, have my doubts when it comes to someone else trying to crawl around in "my" head and give me advice.  I know therapist are a good outlet for many people to be heard from though, just not me.  I really feel most people just want someone to hear their voice, not necessarily give them advice all the time, but just plain old listen.  Taz

It is right around the corner! Best of luck to you! My advice is to walk as soon as you can. I had almost no pain, but I was walking laps around the nursing floors just a few hours after my surgery. Moving around seems to aid in a quickened heal time, and seems to relieve some of the surgical pain. At first, you'll be really nervous about your new stomach, but remember it is as much an art as it is a science. When I went to real food (3 months after my surgery), turkey and beef made me hurl everytime I ate them. It took about 12 months for beef and 16 months for turkey. I take it you are a RN? I am sure you already know everything you need to medically speaking. Best of luck to you!

Yes, I am an RN (so is the wife - I will be in great hands), so I feel pretty well prepared - medically  speaking of course.  You hit it right on the head with the walking, I have told my wife to slap my ass and get me out of bed ASAP when I wake up - I know this is one of the most important things to do above all else during the Post-op period.  I won't hesitate to medicate on the pain meds either so that I can walk comfortably.  Most people avoid taking the pain meds when they should in fact be taking them to help get themselves over the hump - so that they can walk and exercise.  Anyways, thanks for the advice and encouragement.  Every little bit helps.  Taz

And the shrink comment, I absolutely agree. I think some people could benefit, but I am not one of them. I have always been able to handle my issues in life without talking to a stranger, it just creeps me out. There are things crawling around in my head that would scare most therapists. Think naked midgets infiltrating a Roman Orgy while eating vanilla pudding out of the velvet curtain.

Now that is some funny ASS **** right there my friend .  Taz

And the shrink comment, I absolutely agree. I think some people could benefit, but I am not one of them. I have always been able to handle my issues in life without talking to a stranger, it just creeps me out. There are things crawling around in my head that would scare most therapists. Think naked midgets infiltrating a Roman Orgy while eating vanilla pudding out of the velvet curtain. Hmmmmm . . . were they actually midgets or could they possibly be dwarfs? This would make a tremendous in the psychiatric diagnosis, ya know.  Also, I see you didn't tell us if they were wearing boots either

They actually wear the hooker boots, and when I am a bad boy, the heel pierces my brown eye. Also notice the pudding is vanilla, if I said it was tapioca that would be just plain disgusting and wrong.

Hooker boots, eh? Verrrrrry interesting. Do they by chance carry riding strops or have body piercings? And yes, tapioca would definitely be disgusting and oh soooooo wrong!