depression after surgery?

[SexyMama 28]

Ive heard that people go through depression and serious mood swings after surgery... Some people 'change'.. Any idea?

[5DoxieMom 87]

For me it lasted about 8 weeks. Just crazy out of my mind, some say its the hormones released in stored fat. Whatever the reason, it was real for me. Be very careful and don't say anthing to people that you'll regret! And don't make any big decisions....I did and was real sorry. Good luck.

[Macy6 356]

I have had it happen in the past when I lost a significant amount of weight. I think the important thing is to not be afraid to ask for help, seek the help of a counselor and your PCP if necessary. It took a long time for me to come around and in the process I ended up gaining back all of the weight plus more. In the end it was with the help of a counselor that really helped. I think it is difficult to process all of the emotions related to weight loss, the excess hormones and the physical changes you are going through.

[MsVictorious1020 497]

This is very helpful information thank you. Do you guys mind if I there was a history of depression before or was the first time u experienced depression? I ask because I'm bipolar and I need to closely monitor behavior/mood changes. I've been stable for 3 years on meds.

[sharonintx 1,275]

I've had various emotions running rampant since the surgery. I haven't even really been overjoyed by my weight loss so far. I do know that there is an adjustment period and am simply hoping to get thru it so I can continue down the path easily.

It is hard but I think if you just take the moodiness as it comes and recognize it for what it is - this too shall pass.

[swimmom 124]

I have a history of depression and anxiety, and have been very stable on meds for the last 8 years. I am now 10 days postop, and still on my paxil. I HAVE had some mood swings and mild depression in the last 3 or 4 days - but it has been pretty mild and short-lived (compared to what I have experienced in the past). My big trigger for it yesterday was that I was going to a 40th birtthday lunch for a friend at a fancy restaurant. I had already planned to eat ahead of time and drink only iced tea at the luncheon. But my clothes are already fitting funky, and the button on my pants was irritating an incision sight. I felt like I looked horrible, and I didn't feel great. At the luncheon, I felt a little awkward only drinking an iced tea while everyone else was eating (and I felt bad because I felt like it made them feel uncomfortable). I spent the rest of the day feeling irritable and depressed and frumpy. This morning, I woke up in a much better place. I was a little shocked at how badly I felt yesterday, especially since I thought I would feel so great after the surgery (and seeing some weight loss!). But I DO think there are some hormones at play, AND I think there are a lot of new triggers in this phase of the journey. I am sure it will settle down with time, but you will defintely need to be in tune with your moods - and perhaps schedule some extra time with a regular shrink to help navigate the new territory. I am going to see my shrink this Friday to discuss some of the new issues and feelings.

[SexyMama 28]

Hey Ladies...

I'm sorry to hear about what some of your are feeling and going through.. I really hope it doesn't last long and that you begin to feel much better with the great results you will be achieving!!

Well honestly the reason why I brought up this whole topic is because my younger sister got the Sleeve two years ago. She lives over seas so ever since she got it I haven't really been around her for more than 2 weeks. But according to the rest of my family who live in the same city,, they say that she has really changed.. much more depressed... extremely moody and anything can trigger her..

I did kind of notice the changes but I know that when I am in town she is on her best behavior around me because we are excited to be with one another... She was the only person who knew that I am in the process of considering the Sleeve and at first she was against it.. she told me to be careful b/c she had serious complications.. but she also told me that it did change her.. so she admitted it to me.. she feels the change in her.. she said that sometimes she looks at her self in the mirror and cant recognize her own self! .. like it's not her.. Even though she lost 100 pounds and looks GORGEOUS.. i mean seriously she is stunning.. she says that she was happier before...

HOWEVER, there is a difference between us... My sister was always over weight even as a baby.. me the opposite.. i was always skinny but gained so much weight during my first pregnancy and had my second gained more and its not coming off.. I tried all the diets out there.. nothing worked.. i couldn't stick to it because i never got use to depriving myself and i'm not really an emotional eater..

I finally talked to my older sister about this.... now she's the second person who knows.. and she also was against it... she told me that all the people she knew who had gotten WLS are different.. it changes them... they become more depressed.. moody.. unpredictable...

but the problem is.. this is me now.. i'm depressed, i'm moody.. i'm unpredictable.. i'm even angry sometimes and all b/c of my WEIGHT!!... i am so miserable about how i have let myself go and not able to get myself back... I feel like it's the only thing missing from myself.. i am very grateful i have a wonderful husband two beautiful kids almost done with grad school and a bright future ahead of me.. but sometimes i can't see any of that b/c of my weight issue.. I hate myself sometimes b/c the way I look....

[katieb 80]

Well. I like your sister don't recognize myself either. I am 11 months post op and have lost 115 lbs. everyone compliments me and tells me how great I look. I don't know myself. I have been heavy my whole life. I feel bones I have never felt before. I am on anti depressants, but have been on and off of them for Years. I'm very depressed. I haven't been like this for this long of a period forever. I never want to go anywhere or do anything. Just thinking about doing certain things gives me bad anxiety.

If you haven't battled depression or anxiety before. You should be fine.

I'm no happier now thn 115 lbs ago. I thought I would change and be super happy. But. I'm not.

[MsVictorious1020 497]

This makes my heart ache for those of you who are suffering. Im glad ive kept my psychiatrist involved from the beginning. Ive always been very self aware and in tune with my feelings. Perhaps it wont be as hard. Everyone is different and reacts differently. Id encourage you to find a good support group and prepare your friends and family now. You have to do what's best for you. I dont think you should base your decision solely on your sister's experience. If you go in with eyes wide open you may not be impacted near as bad if at all.

[SexyMama 28]

This makes my heart ache for those of you who are suffering. Im glad ive kept my psychiatrist involved from the beginning. Ive always been very self aware and in tune with my feelings. Perhaps it wont be as hard. Everyone is different and reacts differently. Id encourage you to find a good support group and prepare your friends and family now. You have to do what's best for you. I dont think you should base your decision solely on your sister's experience. If you go in with eyes wide open you may not be impacted near as bad if at all.

You are absolutely right.. Maybe my experience will be much more different than hers.. after all, we are two different people...

I think it's great that you have a psychiatrist that you can speak to about all of this.. I am honestly considering the same, but I really don't know where to start.. I've never been to one before and I don't know how to find a good one.. Any tips.. ?

[SexyMama 28]

Well. I like your sister don't recognize myself either. I am 11 months post op and have lost 115 lbs. everyone compliments me and tells me how great I look. I don't know myself. I have been heavy my whole life. I feel bones I have never felt before. I am on anti depressants, but have been on and off of them for Years. I'm very depressed. I haven't been like this for this long of a period forever. I never want to go anywhere or do anything. Just thinking about doing certain things gives me bad anxiety.

If you haven't battled depression or anxiety before. You should be fine.

I'm no happier now thn 115 lbs ago. I thought I would change and be super happy. But. I'm not.

I'm so sorry you are feeling this way... I wish there was some magic pill that you and my sister can take to help you get through this... What do you think your depression is from though ? You mentioned that you had it even before surgery.. Did you think that it might have been weight related and that the surgery could probably help you over come it... ?? Would you say that it has gotten better or worse? or just different ??....

I'm really interested to know b/c after having my second baby I was very depressed... I think i still might be actually.... i had so many plans.. vaginal delivery like my first, breast feeding for atleast a year... and so on... well none of that happened... I actually ended up having an emergency C SECTION because he was too big and they accidently hit a nerve during the operation and that kept me in sever pain with every step i took for nearly a month... i was so sad, so depressed, i couldn't connect with my beautiful son.. and worse of all i couldn't breast feed him past 4 months.. I was also doing GRAD school full time at that time.. it's been a few months now and I do feel much better... but my weight has not changed and nothing went as planned.... that makes me sad...

So I wonder if what I am feeling now is just related to my delivery experience, or if it's something I have always had inside me but that certain incidents would trigger it.... does that make sense ???

can you relate to any of that ?

[MsVictorious1020 497]

If you were in Dallas I could totally help you find one. Some employers offer what is called an Employee Assistance Program and they can offer guidance on counselors and psychiatrists. Another resource could be your ob/gyn and primary care physician. Most OBs deal with postpartum depression so they have referrals. Your surgeon may also have some recommendations for you. Just some thoughts.