Did anyone go thru a depression after surgery?

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

I read this could be common but honestly how can you be depressed when your loosing so much weight.

[Daisee68 2,493]

Assuming you are still pre-op? Trust me. Depression is real. You grieve food like you grieve the loss of a friend. You get frustrated that you can't eat how you want / when you want. You wake up thinking "what the heck I have done". Sometimes you still have to cook but can't eat what your family is eating. And likely worst of all, you will read these boards and wonder why on earth you aren't losing like everyone else is. The depression comes and goes sometimes all in one day. I am told it improves over time....

[Elode 8,093]

I didn't but I'm sure any things possible, you are altering your life dramatically.

[AvaFern 3,516]

I was pretty bummed out the first 2 weeks because I felt so horrible. I wouldn't say I was depressed because I could rationally recognize that it was a phase that would pass, but when you can't turn to your familiar foods for comfort, you're stuck drinking liquid that tastes bad, and someone put 5 holes in your stomach and then sent you home to fend for yourself...you get a little whiny.

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

I guess that's understandable I am pre op I just try to ask as many questions as possible. I want to know as much as I can. I want to know what you can't read. What you can only learn from those who walked the path before you.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Some say the depression is because of the hormones trapped in fat being released and it changes your moods. I don't know. I am too new to be there yet.

Some of it is going to depend on your lifestyle and recovery. The people with families seem to suffer the most because other people are eating things they can't eat and finish sooner. Single people don't have these complaints. I don't have to worry about people bring pizza into the house or anyone commenting on anything I do. I live alone and work from home. I don't have the same outside pressures that other people have. No cupcakes in the break room, no awkward business dinners. No kids to cook for, etc.

I was also a low carber off and on for about 15 years, so low carbing is not a big change to me. The idea that I can eat low carb and easily feel full is thrilling to me. A normal size stomach does not get the same full feeling from Protein.

I can say for me, right now I feel more optimistic about the future than I have in years.

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

That all makes sense. I have pressures cooking for kids work in a party store ton of candy food every where all the time. But I want this so bad I want to be thinish. I want my husband to be able to pick me up with ease. Run and play with my kids. Swim with out being so self conscious. Be healthy. I'm ready for a change gastric bypass scares me but what are u going to do I was scared to get married and to give birth. You just get thru it.

[VDB 800]

I read this could be common but honestly how can you be depressed when your loosing so much weight.

Definitely experienced some short term depression for a couple of weeks. Such a huge shift. Even though the fat was horrible for my health, it was normal, and all liquid and then soft foods was abnormal. It lifted quickly for me and has not been back...

[catwoman7 11,215]

I haven't felt any depression, but then I'm a) not prone to it and b ) post-menopausal (so I probably don't have as many hormones being released).

I still go out to eat but just order what I can eat - like shrimp cocktail. I guess what I've learned through this is that for me going out to eat must have been more of a social thing, because I'm fine as long as there are a couple things on the menu that I can have. I don't really care that my husband or friend is eating a pile of stuff that isn't on my plan. That actually surprised me a little... Also, I'm not really a food addict, like a lot of obese people are - so that may be a factor as well. I'm probably not the most typical case.....

Edited July 23, 2015 by catwoman7

[Sharpie 3,306]

I think most of us who have had surgery had a period of regret. I questioned my decision for several weeks. The change in your eating habits and lack of "real" food right after surgery can contribute to your mental status. After the initial healing period and the loss of weight I realized it was a good decision. Still believe it was the best thing for me. Went to my primary doctor yesterday, he was so pleased, A1C 5.1 , cholesterol 184 and blood pressure normal.

[lapband78 30]

I can't say I was depressed but I was sad.

I was in pain, specially gas pain and being on fluids and soft food was not a fun diet. I often thought about why I let go like that, why did I allow myself to get so fat. Why didn't I care about myself more when I was in normal weight.

But I got over that and accepted that this is my journey, I can't change the past but I can change the future.

Today, 2 and half months after my lap band surgery, I am extremely happy. My weight is coming off. Even if I have difficult moment eating with co workers or family (because of food getting stuck or PB), it's still worth it.

Enjoying my normal relationship with food. Food is not my best friend anymore

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

See these testimonys are so happy.