Lap Band Surgery And Mental Health Issues

[Lori Voss Green 93]

I suffer from depression and anxiety. For me, I had a few very hard days post op. The depression came back and attacked me like a rabid dog. I was feeling frustrated and just blue and miserable. I wanted to eat real food. I was sick of Soup. At my 1 week follow up. I was sure to talk to the doctor. I was assured it is normal, but I would definitely talk to them ahead of time for ideas and suggestions to be prepared.

[WendyMay 13]

Just joined the forum. I go for my consultation app. next month. Will my depression anixity disorder not look good when making his decion to grant me the surgery? Im on medicaid. I currently see a pysch and am on daily medication for those problems but dont want to hinder my surgery decision. What to do? I know u have to have a mental evaluation done. So i dont know. Helpp!!

The mental eval wasn't very difficult. They will probably ask for a letter from your psych and counselor to see if you are stable. And then that's about the extent of it. I hope this helps.

Wendy

[WendyMay 13]

No one offended me, Jen. No worries.

Wendy

[gina418393 1]

Can someone please tell me how to start a new thread? Im a newbie w a consultation app nxt month and hve a few questions. Please help i cannot figure it out for anythingg!

[hookieluv 11]

Just joined the forum. I go for my consultation app. next month. Will my depression anixity disorder not look good when making his decion to grant me the surgery? Im on medicaid. I currently see a pysch and am on daily medication for those problems but dont want to hinder my surgery decision. What to do? I know u have to have a mental evaluation done. So i dont know. Helpp!!

Just be honest on the test, the only problem I had was that I was going for gastric bypass, but the doc decided because of my mental health issues and depression that the bypass would not be good for me , and decided that the band would be , other then that , I don't see it causing any problems ,

[gina418393 1]

Thanks for the advice. I started a new thread so maybe others will respond to.

[Sojourner 2,446]

I'm sure she is seeing a doctor or she wouldn't of made it this far, and I also have mental issues and I also have the band , if any thing the band has help with my mental issues . I now can leave the house and go into a store for few mins . Very scary , but I wasn't able to do that before . As I'm sure she is seeing a doc , so am I , and omdoung just fine , and truly belive she will also .

One's state of mind may improve over time, with or without professional intervention...so to make the assumption Ms. Wendy is presently "seeing a doctor" is presumptive at the very least. No two individuals will have the same experiences as they prepare for the surgery, or identical post op experiences.

Projecting your experiences or perception of improved emotional health onto another individual is never a good idea...unless you are "in the mind" of the other individual you are referencing. It's essential that the individual speak for themselves...IMHO.

I'm pleased to read that you are seeing a therapist, and that your emotional health is improving.

[Sojourner 2,446]

First of all, thank you all for responding. Secondly, I already have a psychiatrist and therapist and my worries are more based on what I will do when PTSD rears its ugly head after the surgery. I AM having the surgery, it's just the question of: "Have you had mental health issues, and if so, how did YOU deal with them after you were banded?" and "Did the symptoms get worse?" So, if you could help me with that, I would really appreciate it. Hookieluv has the right idea, telling me her story and how she deals with it. I do very much appreciate all your input, but I need those two questioms answered the most. Thanks very much!

Wendy

In answer to your questions...Yes, I have been treated in the past for treatment resistant mood disorder. We finally discovered by base-lining my medications that the beta blocker I was prescribed for hypertension was causing my depressed mood. Once my medication was changed, the mood disorder resolved, and has not returned. That all happened about 12 years ago.

I can tell you, as both the patient, post op, and as a licensed professional counselor, that it is entirely possible for there to be a resurgence of your mood disorder...and also the possibility of the exacerbation of your PTSD symptoms.

Your body and mind will be making many adjustments to your "new life", where many of the old "rules" which you were accustomed to following cannot apply.

Your hormones will be gyrating, your relationship with food will need to change if you want to be successful with your weight loss. If food was a source of comfort and/or security for you, you will no longer be able to use food to provide solace. Many individuals will actually go through a pseudo "grieving" process as they say goodbye to their friend, "food".

I did feel mildly depressed post op for about a week. My mind was in a good place, but I suspect that it was due to the chemical changes in my brain and body which were responsible for my mood. But, yes, my band surgery did exacerbate my symptoms of depression. You also may find that your coping skills post op will be seriously challenged while you go through your initial post op recovery and are not feeling well or in pain.

These issues are ones which I sincerely hope you will discuss with your therapist and/or psychiatrist prior to your surgery. Identify a coping strategy in the event that you may need it.

You will be able to successfully do this...but understand that you may need to rely on your emotional support system to assist you through the post op adjustment period. Rely on them; that's part of their responsibility to you.

Best wishes as your journey begins...

[WendyMay 13]

Gosh, Sojourner, it hardly seems worth it. I have been eating well, and have lost 10 pounds since I began on the 9th, and only the past couple days have been difficult for me because I have been lonely. I will definitely talk to my counselor about these things. Thanks. And thanks to all who responded!

Wendy

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

Just joined the forum. I go for my consultation app. next month. Will my depression anixity disorder not look good when making his decion to grant me the surgery? Im on medicaid. I currently see a pysch and am on daily medication for those problems but dont want to hinder my surgery decision. What to do? I know u have to have a mental evaluation done. So i dont know. Helpp!!

No, mental health issues like depression and anxiety will not disqualify you from surgery. And one of the reasons that band surgery is suitable for those of us on psych meds is that the band doesn't cause malabsorption of medication or nutrients. On the other hand, your surgeon is probably going to want to see you stay in therapy because WLS doesn't cure mental health issues any more than it cures obesity.

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

Gosh, Sojourner, it hardly seems worth it. I have been eating well, and have lost 10 pounds since I began on the 9th, and only the past couple days have been difficult for me because I have been lonely. I will definitely talk to my counselor about these things. Thanks. And thanks to all who responded!

Wendy

Actually, is is all worth it.

Sojourner's a smart cookie and she did you a favor by being so honest with you.

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

I was diagnosed with PTSD and major depression about 20 years ago. Since the coping mechanisms I used to deal with the PTSD symptoms generally didn't involve food, I can't say that my PTSD affected my WLS recovery in a significant way. What did help was (first) 7-8 years therapy with a trauma specialist and (later) periods of counseling with a therapist experienced with WLS and eating disorder patients.

In my mind, the drawback to dealing with WLS as well as PTSD is that my PTSD contributed to several psychotic episodes. Pyschosis and impulse-control issues are considered contraindications for any kind of WLS.

Finally, I have to say this. I used my excess body fat to cushion me against other people, especially men. Five years into trauma therapy, the idea of losing weight scared the bejeezus out of me because I felt so vulnerable and unprotected. Now I'm glad I took both healing routes - trauma therapy and WLS. I had no idea before that life could be as wonderful as it is now.