WLS and Depression, first brush with it

I've read that WLS can cause depression. Well I had my first real day of it yesterday. I really don't know the cause maybe the stall I was on again. I was up and then all of a sudden I was crashing for no apparent reason.

It was so bad for me yesterday that I finally went to sleep so I wouldn't do anything stupid. I was feeling low, bottom of the barrel low. Unlike any depression I've had before. Just had an empty feeling.  So I woke up around 9pm and decided to go out.  I went to my local pub but not to drink this time.  So I ran into one of the local radio DJ's there. We have been friends for a few years but never on a serious level.

He told me he was getting married then moved on to how I am not limping anymore (had a bad leg ulcer), looking thin.  I then told him about the surgery and how much I lost. Then took the opportunity to talk about the feelings and just opened up a bit.. 

Glad I did cause what he showed me changed my view on things even suicide.  He stood before me and told me that he had tried suicide before. I was thinking ok he is blowing smoke and trying to make me feel better..  NOPE.. He showed me a scar on his chin and the exit hole on the top of his head. He always had a divot in his forehead but I always thought he got hit with a pole or something..  I was still a bit skeptical he says you want to see the hole? He took a retainer type thing out his mouth and tilted his head and sure enough he has a hole there.   The retainer keeps him from sounding like a hair lip, plugs the hole.

  He shot himself with a.45 in 2000 was in the hospital for 5 months and years of recovery. He has no side effects from it.  FUCK I didn't even know, **** we've hung out before played horseshoes. He goes on to say how it changed his life, not in a religious way.    Its not worth it. Take my advice if the WLS is getting you down just talk to someone. Never know what they might have to share with you. Don't talk to a family member, that can send you over the edge and you might say **** it..    I have a lot of friends who are in the mental health field and they are more ****** up then me.. Not a good choice of counseling in my opinion..  

Joe,
    I have been there! The changing hormones in your system play havoc during extreme weight loss. Estrogen, yes estrogen is released in huge amounts. The body converts testosterone into estrogen and the stores it in the fat tissues to bond the fat tissues together. During weight loss this estrogen is released into your system as the fat sheds away. Now, needless to say, we men are not set up for a huge estrogen dump! Get some therapy, if you can. It helped me through it. You are going through the same sort of hormone up-evil that women go through in menopause. 
     Joe, there is a description of my experience with this in my profile blog. Hang in there buddy, you have come a long was. besides I am holding a place open for you on one of my future antelope and boar hunts. Looking forward to taking that picture of the skinny you and your trophy. 

Nick,
Is that why my voice  changed.  My PCP could'nt figure it out and I do'nt see my surgern til the 18th.  My voice sounds like its a little above a whisper
Advise

Actually, could well be, but the estrogen flood diminishes and things do return to normal. I was astonished when my doctor told me that fat stores estrogen and that males convert testosterone into estrogen when we put on weight.

Good to hear.  Wifey is giving me strange looks.  Wont be on talk radio anytime soon, but do hope I can back to normal soon

Since I am "on the air" every day as a Ham Radio Operator, I can tell you that for a while other Hams around the world made comments about my voice during the time I was going through it. Today, my, "radio," voice is very much changed from what it was before. So it can indeed change your voice. They say mine is much deeper now, and I can indeed see a difference on my digital audio spectrum monitor. Since I was always a base, I could not imagine it getting deeper.

my voice got deeper it seems... 

the guy i was talking to said he just did a paper on the estrogen release that can cause depression.

 Thanks for the heads up.  If I encounter something like that at least I'll know what's going on.
Duane

If you get really desparate, call a suicide hotline.  They're trained to take that type of phone call.  If you are depressed but not suicidal, don't ignore it.  Depression can grow on you and immobilize you.  Unfortunately, most times the person who has depression is the last person to realize it.  If you are feeling sad or lost, talk to somebody.  You may be having a temporary low mood that most shrinks would not classify as depression.

For those of you who are somewhat religious, reading Scriptures may help you.  Praying may help, but oftentimes the depressed person does not even think of prayer.  Try and do any activity that you enjoy ( that's legal ).  If you are at work, you may want to just let your boss know that you're not feeling well--it usually doesn't make sense to tell them why unless this is a recurring problem.  Many employers have departments set up to help their workers.

If all else fails, call family members who you trust.  I know that, despite my meds, I used to get sudden bouts of extreme depression.  I'd call my wife at her job even though she couldn't do anything for me.  Just talking to her was usually enough to pull me out of my jam.  Of course, it kind of messed up her day so I'd call back when I was feeling better.

 the last time I talked to a close friend when I was depressed he got so worried that he called the police on me 900 miles away.. AND they showed up with those bullet proof shields and riot gear on..my place was surrounded.. haha didnt look good for me.. I have a nice blog about it on myspace... My mom had just died and he over reacted.. all I did was end the call, I was done talking and didnt want to hear more...


I would never call suicide hotline, they will come take my guns away then.  I am not that bad.. just had that lost feeling... too bad its not that loving feeling, haha