Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Did your depression subside?



Recommended Posts

I've been battling depression on and off since 2010. It went away for a bit, but something told me it wasn't going to be away forever. College graduation was a fun time, and I finished at the ripe age of 19! This was in 2011. That night I moved from Orlando to Nashville and began building a good career and resume in the entertainment/music business. My weight continued to spiral upwards as I started climbing the ladder of a cut-throat industry that's completely centered image...so that didn't help any.

One Sunday afternoon, I got a call one day that the little record label I worked at was closing its doors immediately. At that point I was forced to move back to DFW. It took me some time readjust, but I found a good job and was happy again. Unfortunately, it didn't last long. Depression hit me hard and fast in January of 2013 and has been there all along. More weight came with that, and I think I've gained around 100 pounds since starting college in August 2009.

I know I'm only 22, but this past year I've felt like a "has been" - like all my success is in the past and there's nothing to look forward to. I'm not even interested in things I used to love (music, television, film, media) and find myself saying things like, "What's the point? It doesn't matter." The only thing I feel like doing is sleeping...and before my liquid diet, eating. I was prescribed to take Lexipro in July of 2013. I suppose it's doing it's job, but the effects are starting to taper off.

My surgery is on Tuesday (three more days!) and I couldn't be more excited. I feel like I might be turning over a new leaf. It's my understanding that depression can be a lifelong battle, but I'm curious to hear from you how your depression subsided after surgery and how you started to rediscover life. Tell me about your journey beforehand too. Has anyone felt this way? I hope I'm not alone.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I won't attest to knowing anything about what is termed 'depression', but I've been around quite awhile and anybody that has can certainly attest to life's ups and downs. I've certainly had my share, with more to come, I'm sure.

But obesity has been a big part of my life for a long time and all that comes with it, is certainly not pleasant. Of late it even has become much worse as I found it more and more difficult to effect any change.

Then along came this last ditch opportunity and I figured I had nothing to lose, so I'll give it one last push. Well, I would have to say smiles count as "subsiding depression". The smiles change my mood and my desires and that is changing my entire life. I get out more, mingle more, try more things, talk to people more......and smile more.

Does WLS cure depression? I don't know, but then I'm too busy smiling to care. Good luck and feel better. ;)

Edited by Recycled

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been battling depression on and off since 2010. It went away for a bit, but something told me it wasn't going to be away forever. College graduation was a fun time, and I finished at the ripe age of 19! This was in 2011. That night I moved from Orlando to Nashville and began building a good career and resume in the entertainment/music business. My weight continued to spiral upwards as I started climbing the ladder of a cut-throat industry that's completely centered image...so that didn't help any.

One Sunday afternoon, I got a call one day that the little record label I worked at was closing its doors immediately. At that point I was forced to move back to DFW. It took me some time readjust, but I found a good job and was happy again. Unfortunately, it didn't last long. Depression hit me hard and fast in January of 2013 and has been there all along. More weight came with that, and I think I've gained around 100 pounds since starting college in August 2009.

I know I'm only 22, but this past year I've felt like a "has been" - like all my success is in the past and there's nothing to look forward to. I'm not even interested in things I used to love (music, television, film, media) and find myself saying things like, "What's the point? It doesn't matter." The only thing I feel like doing is sleeping...and before my liquid diet, eating. I was prescribed to take Lexipro in July of 2013. I suppose it's doing it's job, but the effects are starting to taper off.

My surgery is on Tuesday (three more days!) and I couldn't be more excited. I feel like I might be turning over a new leaf. It's my understanding that depression can be a lifelong battle, but I'm curious to hear from you how your depression subsided after surgery and how you started to rediscover life. Tell me about your journey beforehand too. Has anyone felt this way? I hope I'm not alone.

I have battled depression since 2003 and tried a lot of different meds that year.. I decided to deal without the meds (too many unpleasant side effects). I also got myself out of an abusive marriage and that helped alleviate the depression. To be honest, it's something that is going to come and go your whole life. It's how you choose to deal with it that matters. I was sleeved on 2/28/14 and I was depressed the first 2 days after. I cried and questioned what I had done to myself. I called myself a f*cking frankenstein. I think that was attributed to being in a lot of pain because I had a hiatal and umbilical hernia repaired during my sleeve surgery. I can tell you that I wake up every morning and look at my body in the mirror and notice it changing/shrinking and that alone brings me hope and happiness. Once you are able to exercise, you should- it's a natural depression fighter. Hopefully in time you won't need lexapro. Depression isn't easy, I have bouts of it all the time.. But, I choose not to be a victim, I choose to rise above it. You are stronger than you think. Focus on one aspect of your life that you want to change/improve at a time and everything else will follow. ((Hugs)) hang in there :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • BabySpoons

      Sometimes reading the posts here make me wonder if some people just weren't mentally ready for WLS and needed more time with the bariatric team psychiatrist. Complaining about the limited drink/food choices early on... blah..blah...blah. The living to eat mentality really needs to go and be replaced with eating to live. JS
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Theweightisover2024🙌💪

      Question for anyone, how did you get your mind right before surgery? Like as far as eating better foods and just doing better in general? I'm having a really hard time with this. Any help is appreciated 🙏❤️
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        I had about 6 months between deciding to do surgery and getting scheduled. I came across the book The Pound of Cure by Dr. Matthew Weiner, a bariatric surgeon in Arizona, and started to implement some of the changes he recommended (and lost 13 lbs in the process without ever feeling deprived). The book is very simple, and the focus is on whole, plant based foods, but within reason. It's not an all or nothing approach, or going vegan or something, but focuses on improvement and aiming for getting it right 80-90% of the time. His suggestions are divided into 12 sections that you can tackle over time, perhaps one per month for a year if a person is just trying to improve nutrition and build good habits. They range from things like cutting out artificial sweetener or eating more beans to eating a pound of vegetables per day. I found it really effective pre-surgery and it's an eating style I will be working to get back to as I am further out from surgery and have more capacity. Small changes you can sustain will do the most for building good habits for life.

      2. Theweightisover2024🙌💪

        That sounds awesome. I'll have to check that out thanks!

    • BeanitoDiego

      I've hit a stall 9 months out. I'm not worried, though. My fitness levels continue to improve and I have nearly accomplished my pre-surgery goal of learning to scuba dive! One dive left to complete to get my PADI card 🐠
      I was able to go for a 10K/6mile hike in the mountains two days ago just for the fun of it. In the before days, I might have attempted this, but it would have taken me 7 or 8 hours to complete and I would have been exhausted and in pain for the next two days. Taking my time with breaks for snacks and water, I was finished with my wee jaunt in only 4 hours 😎 and really got to enjoy photographing some insects, fungi, and turtles.
      Just for fun last week, I ran two 5Ks in two days, something I would have never done in the past! Next goal is a 10K before the end of this month.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Teriesa

      Hi everyone, I wrote back in May about having no strength. I still get totally exhausted just walking from room to room, it’s so bad I’m using a walker with wheels of all things. I had the gastric sleeve Jan. 24th. I’m doing exactly what the programs says, except protein shakes. I have different meats and protein bars daily, including vitamins daily. I do drink my fluids as well.  I go in for IV hydration 4 days a week and feel ok just til evening.  So far as of Jan 1st I’ve dropped 76 lbs. I just want to enjoy the weight lose. Any suggestions or has anyone else gone thru this??  Doctor says just increase calorie intake, still the same. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Stone Art By SKL

      Decorative Wall Cladding & Panels | Stone Art By SKL
      Elevate your space with Stone Art By SKL's decorative wall claddings & panels. Explore premium designs for timeless elegance.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×