Post-op Mood Swings

[ShrinkingSaraVSG 12]

I just wanted to see every one's take or experience on this. I'm looking into and thinking about getting a sleeve. I'm starting to narrow it down to two possible doctors. I'm looking at going out of country since I have Medicaid. Apparently you have to do half a year of a doc supervised diet and a whole bunch of other stuff to qualify through them. As if I haven't already been on almost a dozen in the last years.

Anyway, what I wanted to ask was: how did you cope with emotions post-op? Did anyone find themselves needing to be a councilor for help?

food is such an emotional thing for allot of us and actually if it weren't for that part of it I probly would have considered this years ago. I have this fear that after the surgery I'll be grumpy or depressed or just unbearable to be around in situations where I have to eat differently from everyone else. My family gathers around the dinner table, my grandmother is queen of the kitchen, and even though she spent most of my childhood belittling me and taking food from me, she suddenly can't seem to feed me enough even when I say I'm good.

[Kissifur 244]

I just wanted to see every one's take or experience on this. I'm looking into and thinking about getting a sleeve. I'm starting to narrow it down to two possible doctors. I'm looking at going out of country since I have Medicaid. Apparently you have to do half a year of a doc supervised diet and a whole bunch of other stuff to qualify through them. As if I haven't already been on almost a dozen in the last years.

Anyway, what I wanted to ask was: how did you cope with emotions post-op? Did anyone find themselves needing to be a councilor for help?

food is such an emotional thing for allot of us and actually if it weren't for that part of it I probly would have considered this years ago. I have this fear that after the surgery I'll be grumpy or depressed or just unbearable to be around in situations where I have to eat differently from everyone else. My family gathers around the dinner table, my grandmother is queen of the kitchen, and even though she spent most of my childhood belittling me and taking food from me, she suddenly can't seem to feed me enough even when I say I'm good.

I found that the early stages (clear liquid and liquid) were the hardest. There were two times that I had an actual melt down with tears flying everywhere because I wanted to eat. However once I moved to soft foods I realized it was all in my head. My taste had changed so much and I didn't have an appetite so the idea of eating was more appealing than the act itself.

For me the emotional part came and went really quick maybe over 2 weeks at the most. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[RJ'S/beginning 5,358]

WE are women. We have mood swings. You will have ups and downs and whatever. It is whether you are willing to learn how to control what it is that brings you to this decision. This is not the easy way out and weight loss surgery is a tool to use to learn that food is to nourish our bodies and nothing more.

It will be a time to learn other ways to enjoy time well spent with family. Without food as the main event. It all comes with time. Work and effort will give the rewards and goals you seek. But it will not be easy as I mentioned it will be a life long struggle to make it stick....

30% of WLS patients go back to their old ways and regain their weight. Not retraining our brain is the reason.

Going through the training sessions sounds like a good idea to me. It prolongs the surgery date..yes..but you will be well informed about nutrition and what you need to know and do to make this a successful journey!

I wish you success and good health and happiness!

[tangerinetrees 3]

I am 12 days postop today. For the last couple of days, I have really been struggling with feeling blue and just plain yucky. My body is starting to feel normal (minus some achiness) but my brain is all wacky. Talking about it in the forums here certainly helped, but a mantra that has always worked for me that my momma has been saying since I was a little girl is 'its all about attitude'. In my food missing, feeling unbalanced depressed haze, I have been forgetting to focus on the positive and be grateful for the 25+ lbs I have lost so far and for all the healthy changes that I have made and continue to make for my son and I. It can be rough, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I know that this too shall pass.

I also think that going thru all the preop weigh ins and education that a center of excellence puts you thru is totally worth it in the long run. You will gain so much more knowledge and confidence in your decision. Good luck!

[pinkbunies 359]

Mood swings are not just for women lol. I noticed after my operation my mood swings dwindled. I'm diagnosed as bi-polar. I found that after my surgery I have not had to take any bi-polar or depression meds.

I've had a few times where I was going insane on the diet. My Doctor told me that I have healed very well and if I'm comfortable moving to the next stage of the diet ahead of time to go for it. So I tried things little by little and so far no issues.

I'm not eating solid foods or any meats but still, I've been able to add more to my diet.

[avermette 30]

My insurance requires the 6 month process before surgery. In the beginning I was upset that I would have to spend another half year struggling with what I've struggled with my entire life. I'm three months into the process coming up on my fourth visit. While I still want the surgery to happen yesterday I've learned so much from my visits with the doc and nutritionists. I have already started making changes such as cutting out carbonated drinks, eating foods that are better for me and so on. Not saying I do it perfect I certainly do not but it's a learning process an idea of what my future will be like after WLS. There are days now that I'm unbearable, I have mood swings, I can get grouchy. That's just part of me being human. My desire to be thinner, healthier and more active completely out weigh my fears of staying where I'm at.

My thoughts... make a pros and cons list what out weighs your choices? Only you know. Do as much research as you can so you know exactly what you're getting into. And no matter what you decide all that matters is that you're comfortable with your choice. Good Luck!!!

Edited November 7, 2014 by avermette