The Good and the Bad

[My4Boys 34]

Hello all, its been awhile since I posted anything, summer comes, everyone is busier, etc. But also another thing-depression is back and worse than ever. Quite awhile ago I had posted on this same topic. I had been seeing a great psychiatrist for depression and anxiety for about 3 years prior to my surgery, and everything was very well controlled and he was in favor of me having my gastric bypass surgery. After the surgery, I made the mistake of deciding I was in such a good place, losing weight, feeling great about everything. I decided to stop seeing my doctor and gradually wean off the meds I had been on for years. BIG mistake on my part, which I can readily admit now. Jumping ahead, I did find a new doctor. She is wonderful, and leaving my other one may have been a blessing in disguise as he did not have much (if any) experience with bypass patients. My current doctor has at least 5 of us and is very familiar with the trials and tribulations that can go along with the surgery. Please be advised that if you have similar issues, the meds that work for you may no longer be effective due to the change in the way your body absorbs them. Oral meds may lose their efficacy. You may need to change to meds that melt in your mouth or under the tongue, or a patch that absorbs through the skin. Don't get me wrong, as you can see from my ticker, my surgery went great-I have lost 90 lbs since December 12,2012, and although the weight loss is slowing down, it is continuing. I guess my frustration comes with not being a little better warned about this prior to the surgery. My surgeon knew my history as well as the meds I was on, and I feel like it was a topic that should have been discussed with me. I feel like as long as you can pass the psych eval, nothing is really said about these types of effects following the surgery. Would I still have had it? Yes, no doubt about it. Physically, I have had absolutely no ill effects, it has been very easy for me in that way. Emotionally/mentally though-much different story. I am in the midst of major med changes with my doctor, hopefully something soon will start to make a difference, I am beginning to at least see light at the end of the tunnel. She assures me that with bypass patients, it can be a long process to get things right but we will get there. I have been off work due to the depression/instability as well as med changes since early July, and am hoping and expecting to be able to go back September 3rd. To say that it has not been an easy road would be an understatement. There are times I worry like crazy about the stupidest things and cry on an almost daily basis. Please understand, this is in no way meant to discourage anyone, just to hopefully provide some insight and a little education. Just like with all the physical effects of the surgery, we should all go into it completely and fully informed of the other possible effects as well. I am in total agreement with my psychiatrist who told me, do not second guess the decision to have the surgery-first of all, what's done is done. Secondly, without it, I would have been facing other health issues such as possible diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. down the line. Just like anything else in this world, there is good and bad to making any decision this major, and all aspects should be taken into account in order to make an educated decision.

[WildGrits 101]

I think you are doing great!!!! It's good that you were able to come to terms with other issues that you are having and know that you do need help with them.

In all fairness to the surgeon, he is just that, a surgeon. They don't deal with the psychological issues of the patients. Luckily we are set up with a multi-disciplinary group for this surgery. Don't be afraid to go back to any of them and pick their brains about any issues you are having.

A few years back I lost a very good amount on Medi-fast. I can tell you from experience that rapid weight loss does mess with your head. When those fat cells let loose all those toxins along with the Water, LOOK OUT.

Don't lose sight of the fact that you have been very successful with your weight loss. That's not an easy task. Now that you have conqured the physical you can put more into healing the spirit.

Good luck but it seems to me that you are doing great.

[My4Boys 34]

thanks so much for the encouragement