Depression after the Gastric Sleeve

[KC VSG 46]

Depression is very real. I think going through such a major transformation could definitely trigger a tidal wave of emotions and stress leading to depression, which is unfortunate because this really should be a joyous time! Keep in contact with your Dr. and hopefully working together this shall pass! Best of luck!

[Hertsukfem31 50]

I knew depression was possible but never dreamt it would be this bad and never thought about the insane anxiety. Not trying to scare you, you may be just fine, I'm just being real because I never read anything like this pre op. Thank you for the prayers I will do the same.

I understand Ur issues! I am having them also! I had severe depression before the operation and believed once I saw the weight coming off it wud change and I wud b better but it's not happening! I am more depressed now than before! :-(

[downsizingdiva 459]

I will be thinking of you, dint be afraid to ask for help.I actually went to the er because I thought I was having a nervous breakdown with depression anxiety couldn't eat or sleep

[Twirpo75 50]

I thought my memory issues were just me going crazy!! And I thought I was the only one who had this issue. It's good to know others have struggled with this! I forgot how to spell my nephews name one day. I helped raise the kid. But couldn't remember if it was Tristan or Tristen. Then I started noticing I was forgetting other things. Everyone around me says it's just because I am almost 40 (Shh!) but I knew it was more than that. Depression was a big issue for a while too. That one was a real struggle. It's already something I have dealt with for years. But after surgery I really felt like I had lost my best friend. food wasn't there for me anymore. It was a real stage of mourning. That's something I wasn't at all prepared for. I live 5 hours from my family so it's just my son and I. I felt alone in life and alone in the fight to get healthy. It was hard. But I know from past experiences that Prozac helped, so I got back on it. I feel so much better now. So much negativity has finally left me. This life is defiantly not for the weak. It's a struggle. But we can all struggle together. =)

[Hertsukfem31 50]

I thought my memory issues were just me going crazy!! And I thought I was the only one who had this issue. It's good to know others have struggled with this! I forgot how to spell my nephews name one day. I helped raise the kid. But couldn't remember if it was Tristan or Tristen. Then I started noticing I was forgetting other things. Everyone around me says it's just because I am almost 40 (Shh!) but I knew it was more than that. Depression was a big issue for a while too. That one was a real struggle. It's already something I have dealt with for years. But after surgery I really felt like I had lost my best friend. food wasn't there for me anymore. It was a real stage of mourning. That's something I wasn't at all prepared for. I live 5 hours from my family so it's just my son and I. I felt alone in life and alone in the fight to get healthy. It was hard. But I know from past experiences that Prozac helped, so I got back on it. I feel so much better now. So much negativity has finally left me. This life is defiantly not for the weak. It's a struggle. But we can all struggle together. =)

Be careful with the memory thing as my sister had a band then 6 months later started forgetting everything and it turned out she wasn't taking Vitamins and she had extremely low vit b and Iron levels

[BigTink2LilTink 723]

The memory loss is by far the worst part of it. Forgetting things that prior to the surgery were mundane at best. I'm planning on seeing a neurologist here soon just to make sure that its only from my VSG and not something more serious like a tumor.

I also know that because of the memory thats whats causing the depression to actually take in harder. I really do want this to pass cause where this should be the most joyful time in my life, seeing that joy right now is down right impossible.

Case in point last night I went to Wal-Mart of all places to try on clothes. The last time I could fit anything from Wal-Mart was around 95-96. I've been buying my clothes from big and tall stores every since. Last night I was in clothes from Wal-Mart that actually fitted comfortably. A feet that I should be very proud of. Yet still not up mentally.

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

As others have pointed out this is a medical concern.

If you have bad memory loss or confusion it is likely nutrition related. Get blood panels as you may be low on something. I take a sublingual b complex drops a few times a week plus vit D as they both help with these things.

Depression that persists is also a medical issue. To some extent losing your very bad friend (over eating) might take some time but if it gets really bad...get help. Medication, counseling -both?

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

Also, feeling really low can be caused by too low carb of diet or even by "fasting". I have experienced anxiety and can definitely trace issues to the way I eat, at least partially.

[downsizingdiva 459]

I think I have to agree, my anxiety is better since I raised my carbs, I thought I was seriously having a nervous breakdown.

[BigTink2LilTink 723]

What are good ways to raise one's carb intake besides bread?

[downsizingdiva 459]

I am probably not the one to ask but I got some Premier Protein bars that have 30 g of Protein but have more carbs than i'd normally consume, that also boosted my appetite which I needed because food repulsed me and made me gag. Some people add berries. When I cut out some artificial sweeteners in things that helped too.

[SimplySue 131]

What are good ways to raise one's carb intake besides bread?

I found that Kozy shack rice pudding- sugar free was so helpful to calm my "off kilter" tummy I had each am in the beginning & can add a few carbs. Not great on the Protein (only 4 gms), but I could eat better with a calmer tummy the rest of the day.

[Susan909 52]

I had some trouble too.... My daughter the RN told me to drink more Water and move my carcass more....both helped a great deal.

[BigTink2LilTink 723]

Hey I wanted to give everyone an update on this. My memory has improved over the last few weeks. Still not 100% like it was before the surgery but its has improved since the last time I've posted in here. The last round of blood work done on me again showed nothing. I have an appointment with a Neuro doctor however I couldn't get in to see them till basically the middle of July. Hopefully by the time I see them my memory is fully normal again and no imbalance issues.

So I'm just dealing with things as is. As its sits right now I'm still losing anywhere between 8-12lbs per week. Still a lot of weight per week, but I am almost 5 months post-op. So I'm still in that magical rapid weight lost phase. Which is to me still good cause it makes going through all of this so totally worth it. Right now as of today I sit at 355lbs. That is down about 240lbs from my all time high of 595lbs. I know about 180lbs of that is from the affects after the surgery. From the time I decided to have the surgery up to the actual surgery date (including the liquid diet phase) I had lost like 40lbs.

With all that weight gone and no back issues, physically I've been feeling really good. Mentally again its mostly good days and then some very not so good days peppered around in there. I would still do it again in a heart beat. Just would have probably surrounding myself with a better support group of people. That way the mental stuff wouldn't have been as tough as it has been.

[mommyof2girls 1]

I'm ten days post-op & have had my battle with depression too. I've been snappy, irritable, restless, etc. Praying it goes away soon! Good luck to all of you!