CocoM

Too much energy spent worrying what others think. The time spent making up stories and over explaining could be spent doing something else. This subject unfortunately will never die. I'm comfortable telling others about my surgery.

Too much energy spent worrying what others think. The time spent making up stories and over explaining could be spent doing something else. This subject unfortunately will never die. I'm comfortable telling others about my surgery.

I think I will be honest about it and tell whoever asks about it. It may be they are asking because they are looking for help for themselves or another. Lying about it or keeping it secret makes it seem like it is something to be ashamed of. I do not believe it is.

I told people. How else was I going to explain a 50+ weight loss in such short times. If I say healthy eating and exercise it's still way too much and would be classified as the unhealthy way. I'm proud that I did the surgery and I don't really care what they have to say. But I don't run around yelling it on roof tops.

I pray my moods are steady and calm, I soooo don't want to be a mean and angry person. :ph34r: :tongue2:

This is the go to place for quick answers to my questions, can someone shed some light on this issue.
I've noticed some post-op patients have experienced depression and mood swings and this made me nervous.
Does everyone go through mood swings/mental changes after surgery? If so, why?
For those that did experience these changes, did you see a therapist post surgery?
For those who have NOT experienced mood swings/depression, why not you?
Thanks for your responses.

I prepared for the surgery. My Health Ins Co gave me about 6 months to work it out. I was really glad that they did. It is great to know that this is not just what I need to do -- but that I was not successful in any other way... and I DO want to lose weight! Already life is so much easier!!
But I want to choke something!!! I have never really Loved my job -- but now I really Hate it! I get tired of hearing the dogs bark and want to kick them (NO, I do NOT follow through). People don't do things the way I want done and I just blow up! This really is not me.
I probably sleep better than I have in years -- with only waking up once or twice during the night, however I can't seem to go to sleep until midnight or one in the morning... and I have to be up to work at 6am. I did have the breakdown at about 1 or 2 weeks after the surgery, but this seems different. It is not just for now and I can't seem to get it to go away.

I experienced major problems with depression post surgery. However like someone already stated, I think most of it was due to all the changes occurring at one time. I was medically diagnosed with depression years before surgery and have had to take medication on and off for years. Immediately prior to surgery, I had not had to take medication for a year or more, then following surgery my depression got so bad that I had to start taking medication again. Again, I think it was a "perfect storm" of events happening all at once. My DIL who also had this surgery put it in perspective for me. She said it's like an addict trying to kick drugs. I was going through withdrawal. I also struggle with more sadness during the holidays anyway, this year was no different. I live alone so I didn't have much support at home either. For those of you with husband's and family, count your blessings. I also had a major fight with my son which was weighing heavy on my mind. So when I said a perfect storm of feelings and emotions, believe me it was quite overwhelming. Before surgery I probably used food to comfort me more than I care to admit; but following surgery I couldn't even do that anymore. There have definitely been times that I've wondered wth was I thinking to do this to myself - because this whole experience has been a shock to my system. Now I'm on the meds and the depression isn't as bad as it was 2 weeks after surgery, but again my improved mood is induced by the medication; which I hope I will be able to discontinue at some point. For now, I need it and I'm better for admitting it and doing something about it. I'm almost 7 weeks post surgery and I still have good days and not so good days. From what I've read I'm probably more on the extreme end of this experience, but that's just how its been for me. I doubt you will experience the same. I just had a lot going on with me.
A word about sleeping habits, mine have changed as well. I use to have problems before surgery but now it's a little worse post surgery. All I can do is try and maintain the attitude that it will get better and eventually my body will adjust. Most days, I see progress even though sometimes its a little slow.

Weird I was just thinking about this,.... I have always been the kind of person with the attitude either you like me or you dont. Before surgery I dated quite often but nothing serious the men always seemed to be looking for non commital type relationships. In the coming months before surgery I decided to focus my attention on my self and self improvement and the surgery..... I haven't dated in over 15 months and just started to date again after loosing almost 90 lbs ... I have met two men that have have told me they are working toward a committed relationship with me in the last few weeks. the weird thing is at my fattest I had no problem stripping off my clothes or being in the buff / shorts/ bathing suit and I was very comfortable in my own skin , being thinner now I feel ackward for some reason.. I dont have any loose skin except on my belly but not too much.... I still feel fat but I am more concerned now than before about the way I look if that makes since... I am dreading the day one of them will want to take this relationship to a more personal level.... I dont look the way I want to yet and then I have to make a choice which one I want to date more seriously....
anyhow its valentines day and I have one date today and another tomorrow so life is good !!!
Happy Valentines day

thank you Suzie, I hope my outcome is similar to yours.

This is the go to place for quick answers to my questions, can someone shed some light on this issue.
I've noticed some post-op patients have experienced depression and mood swings and this made me nervous.
Does everyone go through mood swings/mental changes after surgery? If so, why?
For those that did experience these changes, did you see a therapist post surgery?
For those who have NOT experienced mood swings/depression, why not you?
Thanks for your responses.

I didn't say I'm telling anyone that will listen and I'm not saying that not telling people makes you ashamed. You completely took my words out of context. Every single person has the right to do whatever they want.

I, for some reason, feel like people are ashamed to tell more people about having WLS. It is not something to be ashamed of. Clearly people every day see us all overweight, struggling in our daily lives in one capacity or another. I, for one, am shouting it from the roof tops that I am making the biggest change of my life and getting on the road to a healthier me. I feel like people are either being phony or they are just too ashamed or afraid to open up and be honest about what is going on. Yes, some people are going to say negative things about you getting WLS, but SO WHAT. I have faced the same thing and just had to show them that I do not care what they think; I am going to do what is best for me and for my health. This surgery is going to be a life changer and it is going to bring back my vision.
I went to a support group a few weeks ago and people there were telling stories of how they would tell their friends and family that they had been working out more and changed their diets up when asked how they had lost so much weight. Why lie? Where is that going to get you? I would rather be honest and show them that I made a choice that I can stick with for life. Honesty has always been the best policy and I see no need to change that just to meet another human being's expectations of me.
My cousin, who was my babysitter growing up, just had WLS a little while ago. Our family treats her no differently than they do anyone else. At family gatherings they do not molly coddle her about what she eats or worry over whether or not they need to put certain foods away. Why would they? If you are willing to put your body through this surgery, you should be willing to have the will power to abstain from eating the foods or portions you know your body can't have. She is my surgery role model. I am so ecstatic that she is such and that we have such a supportive family behind us.
I'm sorry if this is offensive to anyone. I am tired of being "that girl" who let weight define her and keep her quiet for so long. All my life I have kept my opinions to myself because I wanted people to like me or be my friend, but now, I don't care anymore. I am shouting it out from the roof tops. Weight loss surgery is about to change my life forever!

Anyone who wants to know, I even put it on Facebook (J/k).
Serously, I don't have any problems with anyone knowing I have had surgery, if I can help someone else I'm all for it. I don't worry about what others say or think about me.

. Thanks. I did check my insurance coverage and it is a covered procedure. I'm still researching surgeons, I have some very good recommendations.