I am 11 weeks post op and have had issue, after issue, after issue since surgery.  I spent all day in bed yesterday miserable.  Not for any particular reason, but miserable non the less.   I am tired all of the time, never want to do anything.  I couldn't tell you the last time I actually laughed and meant it.  This is way out of character.  I am starting to think that the issues I am having could be more depression related then food related.  Anyone else experienced depression after surgery that lasted this long?  I keep waiting to wake up and feel better but so far, it ain't happening.  

I am down 54 pounds so I am losing weight- but at this point I would rather be fat and happy then skinny and miserable... 

It could be.

It could also be: 1) your body releasing excess hormones that were stored in the fat or 2) your body just needing rest. You have been through surgery, your anatomy has changed, you have lost a tremendous amount of weight quickly and sometimes your body just needs rest.

I would track your moods for a bit and if it continues, see a medical professonal because it could be depression.

Lots of people talk about the hormones released from the stored fat really affecting them. Hopefully more people will respond here to give feedback. 

The behaviourists at my clinic made it very clear that we are more susceptible to depression post op than the non wls.

i would call your Bariatric clinic or primary care physician in the morning. It may or may not be depression, but it's worth following up on. Either way, feeling the way you do, for this long,  is not right. I'd suggest reaching out.

App 2-3 months post op I realized I needed some chemical help. I was miserable.  I talk to a doc and he put type on antidepressants - antianxiety drugs. They really helped me to feel more like myself..  Me ..before the surgery. 

Carbs helps our body to make serotonin. So ..really before WLS some of use use the sugary stuff to self-medicate ourselfs. . And caffeine. Once the carbs are removed and our body is releasing hormons - things can really hit us. 

I know it is hard to do - but beside chemicals - exercise can be really helpful - exercise makes the body to produce endorphins ...the feel good hormons.   

When I am really low - I know I need to start exercises...knowing and doing it - it 2 different things. 

Hope you feel better soon. 

If you feel out of character, get an assessment sooner rather than later.  There is no reason to suffer needlessly.  And yet, that's the hard part, you know?  I have depression and I put off the assessment for years.  It fuels its own inactivity.  It is a vicious cycle if true depression.  Best to nip it smartly in the bud if that's what it is.

I always suggest seeing a doctor first if you might be depressed, because a lot of medical conditions can simulate depression (and vice versa).  It could be: fat loss, food changes, thyroid issues, depression, anxiety, vitamin deficiencies, hormones, etc.  Thyroid and hormone issues are often misdiagnosed as depression.  Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia can cause anxiety, depression, and mood swings, too.  This is why I would consult a doctor ASAP.  It is impossible to tell without further assessments in person, as well as medical tests.  Eliminate the biological causes first, then that would mean depression is there.   If it is depression, I always suggest a psychiatrist instead of a PCP for meds, and a counselor if its possible (more on the latter, later).

I had horrible mood swings post-op, and now that my weight loss has started again they have resumed.  It is the hormones being released from the fat.  Fat stores estrogens in particular, and when we burn it, they flood the body and the brain.  Hormones have very quick access to the brain, so we get rapid and powerful mood swings.  Thanks fat for being an extra jerk!  

As Hala mentioned, we self-mediate with food when we are depressed or anxious.  When we stop using an unhealthy coping skill, like overeating, the anxiety or depression rises up because we are not engaging in behavior to avert it.  This happens with always-skinny and non-WLSers too.  Many people do not realize they have depression or anxiety because their compensating behaviors (shopping, eating, exercise, gambling, drinking, games, etc) cover it up and mask the true cause.

Depression has a strong behavioral component - and a cognitive component, which people don't realize.  What that means is, when we are depressed, it begins to change the way we think and see the world and we do not even realize it after a while.  This can be undone, but it is easier to take care of it immediately.  It makes for less work later.  This is where counseling comes in, and why counseling compliments medication management.  

I felt this way until the weight loss started to actually show to me, whether it be through clothes becoming much bigger and requiring smaller sizes or more people talking about it. We are our biggest critics and if you aren't seeing anything but the number fall on the scale and your mind is still stuck on all the things (particulary food and drink) that you can't have, it kept me in a huge funk for a while. It too****il about 6 months out where I started to feel slightly more normal, I still had to focus on what I could eat in comparison to all the stuff I actually wanted but my self image had improved and I enjoyed going out in public and dressing up and felt that I actually looked good and started to impress myself with my appearance. Believe me, my depression boiled down to how I felt about myself and how the process just couldn't move along quickly enough for me. I am 8 months out in the middle of a stall and starting to have the same feelings. But I don't worry too much because I know these feelings pass and I have this forum to refer to and to help see me through it. Good luck to you! 

Thanks ladies!  I will call my primary care doctor, because my surgeon's office isn't that helpful.  I also got a precert to see a therapist. Just need to find one that has experience in WLS. I am not going to let this get the best of me anymore! 

It's good to see a therapist so i'm glad you're going to see one! I suffered a lot of depression and anxiety post op that wouldn't go away (you can check my previous posts in this forum for reference). I thought it was due to hormone dumping but I also realized I ate a lot of sugar and carbs and that affected my mood. WIthout it, I'm actually quite down and anxious.

I am now 8 weeks into therapy and about 5 weeks into a low dose of anti-anxiety med, and I'm feeling better. I still have bad days, but nothing i can't manage as the meds give you room to cope and the therapy helps you develop coping skills. I love my therapist. Therapy will also help you adjust to your new life post wls, and understand the reasons behind your obesity (and hopefully learn to kick them to the curb).

Edit: I second Hala, it is good to exercise. I do about 10 min of cardio and 7 min of a yoga stretch every morning before work, and then I try to take a walk or two during the work day. I also go to the gym twice a week for (a very low impact) bootcamp class. But the walking and the yoga is great way to work off depression and/or anxiety. I also do adult coloring books and i journal if I need to. I also discuss things with my husband if its nagging me.

Hi I am currently 5 years out post surgery but I wanted to let you know it most definitely could be depression. I ended up with issues a little further out that you but I started noticing road rage, easily ticked off and once it happened I could not come back from it for days. I would recommend that you talk and mention to your doctor asap.... once I did they put me on something (yes I know another pill) but it helped and I actually still take it to this day.  I will tell you things will change, foods I once hated I love now, tastes for things changed and its an adjustment but its well worth it. Best of luck