Post surgery depression?

[jherbbb 0]

Hey, all. First time post here. I’d like to explain my situation briefly. A year ago, my ex and I broke up. One that I was madly in love with. Since then, I’ve found myself blessed in many areas of life. I’ve got the new shiny dream job, dream vehicle, amazingly better relationships with my family, and 3 weeks ago had gastric bypass. The biggest reason for this progress, I feel, is that I’ve focused solely on myself this past year without worrying about any friends or girlfriends. Literally all I’ve done is work to achieve my goals, and have let go of all past relationships with people that were either slowing me down, or were negative influences. However, since my surgery, things have become very dark. For the first time in my life, I’m having dreams every night. These dreams have become extremely vivid, sad, and are almost always flashbacks of people from my past or things that I regret and resent myself for. My work ethic has decreased, and I have realized a major increase in anger, frustration, depression, impatience, and loneliness. I don’t understand what’s going on. This was not happening before the surgery. Has anyone experienced this? I feel like I should be happier now than ever but I also feel that by crossing off one of my largest sources of unhappiness (overeating), I have since further exposed others. Any feedback or advice is sincerely appreciated.

[Little Green 583]

33 minutes ago, jherbbb said:

but I also feel that by crossing off one of my largest sources of unhappiness (overeating), I have since further exposed others.

Hey there, I'm sorry you're going through this. You've had a lot of life changes in a really short period of time (a year is nothin' when it comes to major stressors) and even positive changes can be disruptive especially if you have high expectations from them. Post-op depression is really common, especially as you begin to lose body fat and start swimming in all the excess hormones.

But I also thought the quoted part of your post was really interesting. While overeating might have been a source of unhappiness, it was also a source of pleasure in your brain. Every time you ate fatty, sugary food, you stimulated the release of dopamine, a potent "reward" neurotransmitter. I don't think it's surprising at all that you'd be experiencing this type of withdrawal or discovery of new stressors now that you've cut off the steady request for dopamine in your brain.

I would suggest seeing a therapist - I go weekly and it's really helpful. I've been going for over a year and it's almost like talking to a friend at this point. An impartial, professional trained friend, that is! If you have insurance through work they may have an employee assistance program that will let you have a few free sessions (mine had five) so that you can try out a couple therapists before choosing one.

You're not alone, we're here to listen! Hope you're feeling better very soon.

[jherbbb 0]

Thank you for your sincerity. The only reason I have not seen a therapist yet is due to not wanting to be put on medications for depression, insomnia, or anxiety especially. I had a little too much fun in college and since, take no medications except for Bariatric Vitamins, and nothing else for quite some time. I know therapists do not prescribe, but I don’t want even the recommendation.

[StrawberryLaray 33]

I don't think they would press medication. I won't take it anymore either. I also think many therapists are just as jaded about medication as I am.

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[annanay1 14]

Hi:-) I am new to this site and am having a very hard time understanding how to post and get responses😬 can anyone help please

[annanay1 14]

How can I find Chicago people?

[toodlerue 452]

If you are 3 weeks out your body is still traumatized from the surgery. Maybe you’re doing too much.

Please see a threrapist. Besides working on your body you need to work on your head too.

Taking antidepressants doesn’t make your problems go away, they just help you deal with them better.

Toodles,

Rue

[jherbbb 0]

Doing too much is quite possible. I had my surgery on a Thursday, medically cleared the following week after, and went back to work. Albeit my job is an office job, it is quite stressful.

[SydneySleever 104]

I’m really sorry you’re feeling down. You’ve been through a big life change, it’s understandable. Before getting my sleeve I started seeing a Jungian psychotherapist. We’ve really worked deeply on my relationship with others as well as food and how the two intersect. Food has been a mask for me not to feel emotions. It’s been really liberating to get to that realisation. I started quitting using food as a mask for emotions. The result was confronting, but has improved my relationship with food and has made me feel ‘negative’ emotions more. They are harder to get through but I feel much more vibrant at the end of the feeling now. I can’t recommend a psychotherapist enough. If you’re having vivid dreams try one with a Jungian background they are great at dream work.

[James Marusek 5,244]

8 hours ago, annanay1 said:

Hi:-) I am new to this site and am having a very hard time understanding how to post and get responses😬 can anyone help please

On the menu bar along the top of the screen, select "Forums". This will pull down a variety of choices and sub-menues. Select the most appropriate.

This will open up a new screen. Hit the button that says "Start New Topic".

As far as getting responses, this is done in your personal setup menu where you select notifications. At the moment not sure where this menu is at. But is key to not getting swamped with too many email notifications.

[James Marusek 5,244]

As you lose weight, the chemicals and hormones that were stored in your fat cells are being released into your body. These will pass through your kidneys and are expelled in your urine or through your sweat. But they can generate a flush of hormones during the weight loss phase. They should simmer down once you transition into maintenance. It is important to meet your daily Fluid requirements, because it take fluids to flush these hormones from your system.

[wowerinreally 22]

You're not alone. Many of us have had overwhelming emotions in the weeks after surgery. I know I did. I was irritable, angry, tired, moody, tearful. Your body is going through something tremendous. You've made huge changes in your life this year in addition to WLS. I found that after surgery I couldn't turn to food to Celebrate, ease my boredom, ease anxiety, etc. and that did create some additional anxiety for me. I also felt a little overwhelmed. What I've done is walk. I literally walk off my anxiety. Do I enjoy walking? No, it's hard carrying around this weight and it's HOT. But, it truly has helped me. I saw a therapist a couple of years ago who truly did help me change my life. Medications are your choice of course, but talking to a professional is a good idea in my opinion. And remember, you're not alone! I've seen from posts on here, I even made one myself, that many many of us feel similar to how you're feeling.

[kennyranking 6]

Ive been through the samething and it makes the day so long. You should be happy you're losing weight, but there's no fireworks. But it will get better once your body settles down. I started celebrating my weight-loss by being more active, doing things my lazy ass wouldn't do, and its real energizing.
Dont do meds pls. Its so more satisfying when you can control your own mind and push yourself forward.

Im still a work in progress, but my mind is already at ease, with a lighter body. Slowly but surely. Let's go!


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[BlueBongo 52]

Those are quite a few major changes in a short period of time. I went through a whirlwind of crazy life experiences both pre and post op! Everything from divorce, to getting pregnant, to miscarriage, to literally finding myself falling into a wicked depression... so battle that I just worked harder at getting back to myself and cut everything else that wasn't positively impacting my life out. Keeping only the positive relationships in my life and focusing on myself helped immensely.

It is still early and you will go through so many changes where you will be up and down like a wacky roller coaster, but it is all worth it and you will be a newer and better version of you at the end of it all. Reaching those goals and staying on track. I found it helpful to turn to my friends when I started feeling down, we would then get together and go running or do another physical activity while I vented. Without that support, I dunno where I would be.

Everyone's journey is truly unique, but I wish you the very best in your journey!

[TakingABreak 2,733]

I would echo seeing a therapist. With a combo of hormones and the changes you are going through, its a mixture for situational depression. This too shall pass.

Edited June 7, 2018 by AshAsh1