kmbrlycool 214 Posted September 12, 2012 Is depression a side effect of the sleeve surgery? My mother suffers from depression in general and has been taking medications for it and has been doing pretty well. She got sleeved this past Wednesday and since the surgery she has been very depressed. Any ideas? Suggestions? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lowe1961 45 Posted September 12, 2012 I have taken meds for years for depression. Since I have gotten the sleeve I dont have it anymore. Im off my meds. I was sleeved July 11 2012 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmbrlycool 214 Posted September 12, 2012 So does the sleeve generally help depression? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdefabio 73 Posted September 12, 2012 I think it's a side effect from the anesthesia and not the sleeve. I felt some depression even on my anti depressant but it passed within a couple of weeks. Tell mom to hang in there. Good luck!!!! 1 kmbrlycool reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
changes4me 4 Posted September 12, 2012 I am almost 4 weeks out and take Lexapro for depression. Up until this week, my depression symptoms were pretty good. This week though, I'm sad, tired, weepy, etc. No idea why, but I hope it gets better soon. Tell your mom she's not alone and I don't think this is uncommon. Best of luck to her. 1 kmbrlycool reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jh5497 105 Posted September 12, 2012 Is depression a side effect of the sleeve surgery? My mother suffers from depression in general and has been taking medications for it and has been doing pretty well. She got sleeved this past Wednesday and since the surgery she has been very depressed. Any ideas? Suggestions? Depression is a mental illness. Mental illnesses can not be caused by surgery. HOWEVER, if she was using food to cope with her emotions, she will have lost her coping mechanism with the surgery and could be struggling because of that. VSG is a huge life change and with all changes comes a certain amount grief. Often a relationship with food is a big priority and this surgery forever changes a person's relationship with food. If feeling down persists, I would contact my prescribing doctor/psychiatrist, explain that since post op I don't feel my medication is as effective as pre-op, OR talk to a counselor. Amazon has some great books on this as well. 6 Cookeeeeez, Red597, Rootman and 3 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmbrlycool 214 Posted September 12, 2012 Depression is a mental illness. Mental illnesses can not be caused by surgery. HOWEVER' date=' if she was using food to cope with her emotions, she will have lost her coping mechanism with the surgery and could be struggling because of that. VSG is a huge life change and with all changes comes a certain amount grief. Often a relationship with food is a big priority and this surgery forever changes a person's relationship with food. If feeling down persists, I would contact my prescribing doctor/psychiatrist, explain that since post op I don't feel my medication is as effective as pre-op, OR talk to a counselor. Amazon has some great books on this as well.[/quote'] Very good points Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hmswsu 0 Posted September 12, 2012 I haven't had my sleeve done yet but I have had two other major surgeries within the last two years and have noticed that as I began to reduce my pain meds each time I was extremely depressed. That was the only thing I could link it to was the pain medication. Just a thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cookeeeeez 269 Posted September 12, 2012 I think short term it can exacerbate symptoms, you will feel tired, run down, weepy etc from the anaesthetic and so lying in bed all day can psychosomatically make people more down than usual. Eg: try putting a pen sideways in your mouth between your teeth like this <-----> you are smiling. Then put the end in your mouth like a lollipop (•) you are frowning. Studies have shown peoples moods change in relation to these physical tests. So, try getting some sun with your mum to help her feel better... 30 mins of gentle walking = low dose antidepressant If symptoms continue or if she expresses suicidal thoughts or ideation then she should see a dr for assessment as it may be underlying issue she was treating with food (as mentioned above)! Good luck and keep in touch cheers 1 mdefabio reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rootman 1,101 Posted September 12, 2012 What JH said above, mine got a LOT better and is now a LOT worse. It is independent of WLS but CAN be affected by surgery or anesthesia, there is no "rule of thumb" or "rule", each person is different. 1 mdefabio reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amandazee13 57 Posted September 12, 2012 Ever since the sleeve ive had a depression I cant shake, ive cried everyday since my surgery, it seems to be getting slighty better but i really miss my old life Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdefabio 73 Posted September 12, 2012 I think short term it can exacerbate symptoms, you will feel tired, run down, weepy etc from the anaesthetic and so lying in bed all day can psychosomatically make people more down than usual. Eg: try putting a pen sideways in your mouth between your teeth like this <-----> you are smiling. Then put the end in your mouth like a lollipop (•) you are frowning. Studies have shown peoples moods change in relation to these physical tests. So, try getting some sun with your mum to help her feel better... 30 mins of gentle walking = low dose antidepressant If symptoms continue or if she expresses suicidal thoughts or ideation then she should see a dr for assessment as it may be underlying issue she was treating with food (as mentioned above)! Good luck and keep in touch cheers Cookeeeez, I agree with you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdefabio 73 Posted September 12, 2012 What JH said above, mine got a LOT better and is now a LOT worse. It is independent of WLS but CAN be affected by surgery or anesthesia, there is no "rule of thumb" or "rule", each person is different. I also agree with you Rootman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites