Question:
Please help!

Hi. I posted the other question about mental illness. Well, I just came from my psychiatrist appointment, and he is very worried that after the surgery I will become more depressed. He said he doesn't know enough about the surgery to tell me to do it or not to do it. He just wants me to maintain close contact with him after surgery. My doctor (surgery doctor) assures me that I can take my psych meds a couple days after I have the surgery. I won't have any tubes or anything. Just when I thought I was so-so-sure about this surgery. And now? I'm scared that I will become more depressed after surgery!!!! Please someone, anyone, give me some "tips" on this. I would sure appreciate anyone's feedback on this. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 15, 2000)

May 15, 2000
Well, if the surgeon says you can take you medicine a few days after surgery, then you will be able to take them. You obvisouly trust your surgeon as you have expressed your concern about your medicine. I dont have any problems swallowing pills at all. I even swallow those big horsepills that are vitamins. some pills can be split in half so that we can take them. So that might be an option just spliting them so you can take them. Also, it is normal to get depressed after surgery. But, most people bounce right out of it. I am a very happy type person and I got depressed too, but got out of it in a couple of weeks. I hope this helps and I do wish you lots of luck in your decision. For me, it was the best thing to do. ((((HUGS))))
   — Lee Ann B.

May 15, 2000
I have struggled with clinical depression on and off for YEARS! I would find myself exhibiting symptoms, go to the Dr., get on meds for 1-2 years, take myself off the meds for 3-4 years, and start over. I don't like the side effects of the meds, so I keep trying to live without them:) 2 years ago, I weaned myself off of my meds and did fine. I had surgery 1-19-00, open RNY with GB removal. About 4 weeks postop, I hit the "postop depression". I didn't think it was anything like the clinical depression I have suffered with for years, so I sat tight and didn't go to my PCP for meds. I decided to wait it out. I think it was Ray Hooks who posted awhile ago that the depression many of us go through after surgery is due to the body getting used to the low calories and changing its fuel source from our food intake to our stored fat. (Sound right, Ray?) We tend to get tired and depressed from that physiological change in ourselves, and the advice I received was to just hang in there and "get through it" which I did. I am not sure if you will get "more depressed" after surgery, or if you will just endure a period of physiological adjustment that the meds you are on will help you cope with. As long as you are aware of the possibilities (and your Drs seem to be aware of those), you can go into surgery with a battle plan for complications, IF they occur. By the way, losing 55 lbs. in 3 1/2 months has done WONDERS for any depression I have felt recently! Good Luck!
   — M B.

May 15, 2000
Your psychiatrist doesn't want to get sued. How can you be mentally healthy when you're morbidly obese. It's impossible. This surgery is a risk and god I hope everything is victorious for you. You really need to assess your sense of hope. If your hopes are realized and you lose the weight due to surgery then you will be less depressed. I'm not talking about 2 weeks post-op when it's hard to walk- of course you'll be blue then- but several months post-op you'll be on top of the world given that you do what you're supposed to do. I am a psychiatric patient and went off prozac 2 months post-op. I just did not need it anymore. And if you do need your meds then by all means take them. You probably love your pills, I know I do (my risperdol). And that's ok. Anything worth anything in life contains risk and with surgery you're getting the full meal deal (no pun intended). If it is just the notion that there will be physical pain and you'll be depressed over the decrease in food that is making you anxious, that is completely normal. If you were to take a poll I'd wager that most are less not more depressed 6 months post-op.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 15, 2000
One of the things your phyc. should be doing is re-enforsing your decision to make a change in your life!!! You have to decide if you want to stay where you are now or take a step forward into the future with a new attitude of "yes I can if I set my mind to it". I have been in couniling for over a year and I am making more progress since I realized that it was me holding me back!!! So decide what you want then don't let anyone talk you out of it not even yourself!!! always remember "To thyne own self be true" keep the Faith. Big Hugs!!! Jo
   — Jo M.