Hi,

I'm new to this site, and desperate to find help. There is only one support group in my area and it's on a night when I go to school. I also haven't been able to find a counselor who has lap band experience. I've been really down since having my surgery. I have crying jags and "buyer's remorse". I think the remorse is normal, but what about the crying/depression? I have Bipolar 1 and am very worried that this will bring on an episode. I'm not sure what to do at this point. Any suggestions, or tips from people who have experienced this?

Thanks

Hi,

I'm new to this site, and desperate to find help. There is only one support group in my area and it's on a night when I go to school. I also haven't been able to find a counselor who has lap band experience. I've been really down since having my surgery. I have crying jags and "buyer's remorse". I think the remorse is normal, but what about the crying/depression? I have Bipolar 1 and am very worried that this will bring on an episode. I'm not sure what to do at this point. Any suggestions, or tips from people who have experienced this?

Thanks

Welcome. I wish I had an answer for you, but I do not have experience with bipolar 1. I do suffer from depression and dread seeing winter come but I'm hoping that since I have lost some weight and can actually get out and walk and feel like doing stuff, that it won't be as bad this winter. Hang in there, you've come to a good place here in this forum....don't give up....

Choosing to have WLS is a huge undertaking. Not to mention the effect anesthesia and pain killers have on our psyche. What you are going through is completely normal; I went through it myself. I didn't have buyer's remorse, but I went through a myriad of emotions. But I have to say, once I got off of the narcotic pain meds, things improved.

I suggest that you speak with the doctor who is managing your meds for bipolar. I'm not a doctor, but I would want to know if anything you're (possibly) taking post surgery, is interacting with other meds you might be on.

Hang in there..... I promise.....it gets better. A lot better!!

Edited September 25, 201411 yr by mrsto

I am not in your shoes but want to chime in both encouragement. Excellent advice on checking with the doctor about medications. I don't do well on narcotics and didn't take anything post-op but there's still the effects of anesthesia that need to balance out again. I would say all the water you can drink comfortably and lots of walking to help clear out and reset your system. I was very constipated post op four days and had to address that. Just throwing that out there. Sending best wishes your way -- better each day. Be gentle with yourself and pat yourself on the back for choosing yourself and your healthy future. You are worth it!

Thanks everyone for your advice. I stopped the pain med on Wednesday and I do feel a lot better. I had to divide my psych med because it was too big to take the full does all at one time. It's been tough to remember to take four doses a day instead of two. I think I've forgottend to take it a few times. That probably has something to do with the mood swings too.

Again, great advice, and thanks.

Remember to crush your pills because someone so early out & it might help so you can take all the meds you are supposed to & yes some of us have thought in the first few weeks what did I do & I wander will I be able to do this ,but if you really want it you can , just follow what Your Doctor's say , you should be just fine so don't get discouraged , hope everything works out for you.