Depression

Hi to all! Haven't posted in a while. Not doing too good. Very depressed. Thought it was because of my fiances surgery (which went very well-he is home recouperating...thanks for the prayers), but I am still not doing good. Crying a lot, no energy, not sleeping, trouble concentrating, not eating right, etc, etc. Saw my therapist yesterday and psychiatrist today. He added a new medication and increased my sleep meds. They both wanted me to go into hospital but I really don't want to right now. Has anyone had problems with depression post-op? I am 8 weeks out and down 40 pounds. Take care, Kim

Hi Kim: I suffer from clinical depression and take antidepressents for it. However, post-op I would find myself crying for now reason. On my 3 month check up I had not lost any weight for a month, I was already down 96 lbs. in 2 months and I started crying terribly in the surgeon's office. I think woman who have this surgery are subject to hormonal swings. I had to really do a reality check with myself and get things in their right perspective. You are doing very well at 8 weeks. 40lbs down. Try to celebrate that. Things will fall into place, you have a lot on your plate right now and your chemistry is not helping. Good luck. Jeanne

I had a melt down around the 8 week mark. My therapist said that it was no wonder with all the changes going on in my body. I use a light box sometimes when I need some cheer. It is something you can look into. Please send a personal message or a post if you need to talk to someone. I am also on meds but for anxiety. Take care, Donna

Hi Kim, I'm about 10 days pre-op so reading posts and trying to learn as much as I can about other people's experiences. I guess my first reaction, based not at all on actual experience is that struggling with depression after a procedure of this magnitude has to be almost likely. I've been spending a lot of time thinking about my dysfunctional relationship with food and how I use it to cope with all emotions - good and bad. While I'm looking at this surgery as a release from that relationship, I'm worried about what other coping strategies I'm going to have to develop in order to recover more fully. You mentioned that you're not eating right, not having any energy etc. and I can only say from this position as a pre-op, it's been drilled into my head that I must make every effort to get adequate nutrition in and seek help if that becomes too difficult. I've read quite a few posts by people post-op who say they recognize they're not following their doctors/nutritionists advice and are experiencing negative outcomes and I can only say that I think it's very important to follow their advice. And to reach out. I think post-op, it is really important to keep in touch with people who have been through this process and with your health care team. My own doc and his team have really emphasized how this is a group effort that requires all manner of support and expertise. Maybe you should pull out your paperwork and reread the initial recommendations on food intake etc. I think once you're done with the first few weeks it's easy to fall into habits that won't support your body to the extent it needs to be supported. You've got to take care of yourself better. Lots of people here to help you. Post more....your opening statement was that you hadn't been on in a while.....don't let that happen. The support of this group is so so important. I'll be thinking of you. Susan

Hi Kim Depression is not that uncommon among ladies that have had the surgery. ONE of the many reasons is that estrogen is stored (partly anyway) in fat tissue, and losing fat tissue with the speed that bariatric surgery allows CAN (not always but sometimes) lead to hormonal swings. Ask your surgeon about it? Also see what testing for chemical or trace element imbalances might be available. I was tested (blood work) at both one month, two months, six months, one year (and I should get tested again now that Im at two years). I was a member of another board before coming to the NJ board right after my surgery, and a lot of the ladies mentioned the hormone swings.. that is how I know anything about it. It doesnt always happen.... but it can and does sometimes. The best bet is to be totally up front with your surgeon and your therapst... and dont feel alone. I am obviously not a lady with hormonal swings due to estrogen loss... but I DID experience my own periodic **blue** periods during my first year. I would encourage you to seek out a support group and become a regular attendee... mostly because you can learn SO darn much from others taking this journey, and also for encouragement. Nothing is as encouraging as talking to someone that is or has gone through what you are going through... but has conquered it and then done better? Be encouraged... and congratulations on the weight loss : )) Good luck.. God bless and keep you Timmy Ray S.

After posting I wanted to come back and say... whatever you do do NOT isolate. Keep involved... keep plugged in. Your NOT alone in this... and reconsider maybe going to the hospital? I had to go to the hospital last night due to a tooth that I had yanked out... needed an antibiotic... hospitals are not that bad a place really. Now that you had the surgery... your body is changing drastically... we all... *all* of us have these blue times sometimes...and you need your peeps... your family.. your friends... and others you meet along your weight loss journey... to stay okay. Write and tell us SOON.. post here and tell us how your doing? We will keep you in our prayers Be encouraged.. Hang in there. Timmy Ray

Because we are morbidly obese , we've got estrogen stored in our fat cells and when we lose weight rapidly it's released rapidly and voila we've got instant depressior or pms like symptoms, it only lasts like 12-14 weeks. Be Well, ANDI

yup yup...that is why its so easy to get pregnant after losing weight like that. (That is how I got Rachel--she is now 10) Doc told me to be careful after the banding (this last september) that I could get pregnant. I told him to bite his tounge---i already have 2 teens and then baby surprise came after Phen-Phen....yikes.

Kim, you might also ask your psychiatrist and/or surgeon if your meds are affected by malabsorption. I used to take certain meds for depression twice a day, but now have to take them three times a day to have the same effect. It makes sense to me that if our bodies aren't absorbing enough nutrients, they might not be absorbing all of the medication.

Hi Kim, Totally been there! I couldn't understand why I was crying all the time. Aside from the estrogen loss I was psychologically morning the loss of my weight loss. I was hiding behind it for so long, I actually realized that I have to use my personality more (that was a shock). "this too shall pass...." Amy