Depression and WLS

Hi all! I'm just beginning the process and hoping to have surgery after the first of the year. I wish sooner but you have to bow down to the be insurance monster : -o I have suffered with depression for years. I found out this year that I am bipolar. Has anyone found that losing the weight has helped you get off of some of your meds? Has it made a difference with your depression? I know I'll be on some meds for the rest of my life because of my bipolar disorder but I just want off of some of these meds!!!! I'm on 7 meds for my depression, bipolar and anxiety!!! I have a great psychiatrist but I'm so sensitve to my meds that once I'm on them, I struggle coming off of them. thanks for listening! Janie : -D

Hi Janie, I don't know anything about the bipolar or anxiety, but my depression sure got better! I started feeling great after about the 4th month of WLS. I still get a little teary once a month, the hormones get out of whack, but that's just a sign things are getting back to normal for me... I was like this before all my weight gain. I wish you the best, Janie..I hope someone has a better reply and some answers for you!

Janie, My closest friend has Bi-Polar disorder that she has been successfully treating for about 15 years. she has also had a weight problem most of her life....but the Bi-polar meds made things worse...She gained a great deal of weight on some of them. She considered RNY, but in consultation with her long-time psychiatrist, she decided that LAPBAND was the better option. Apparently, many of the drugs used to treat bi-polar disorder are not well absorbed after RNY. She is doing quite well with LAPBand and is losing weight at about the same rate as others who have had other forms of WLS. Personally, I took anti-depressants for years, and nearly three years post op, I am down 280 lbs and I no longer take any anti-depressants. I do take Buspar for anxiety. I think a lot of the personality issues that effected my depression were relieved by losing weight..I also think that the diet change..That is lower sugar and less processed food has had a positive effect on my moods....But I think depression is generally a clinical problem that requires careful monitoring from a psychiatrist, and that you and others like us will be required to take some form of medication regardless of weightloss.... I think my personal outlook is better, because many of the psychological stressors...fear of death by obesity...are just not with me anymore...But I wouldn't look to WLS surgery as a cure for psychological problems...It helps, but its just not the cure you may be looking for..... It is courageous to face these issues...Stay strong...Make an informed decision.. Kelly