Depression?

[kmbrlycool 214]

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?

[lowe1961 45]

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

[kmbrlycool 214]

So does the sleeve generally help depression?

[mdefabio 73]

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!!!!

[changes4me 4]

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.

[jh5497 105]

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.

[kmbrlycool 214]

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

[hmswsu 0]

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.

[Cookeeeeez 269]

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

[Rootman 1,101]

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.

[Amandazee13 57]

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

[mdefabio 73]

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.

[mdefabio 73]

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