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Post-Surgery Depression



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Hi all,

I am set for sleeve surgery on 3/31. I have read many posts about people having regrets and getting depressed after surgery. I already struggle with depression and am concerned about post-surgery depression. I would appreciate any suggestions for things to do pre-surgery or post. Thank you!!!

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I completely understand your concerns, I struggle with depression as well. In my personal experience, the best thing for me is to be seeing a therapist during such a big life change. It gives you an outlet for those emotions. I started seeing one 2 weeks ago who specializes in eating disorders because she has a lot of experience with WLS but she is also a therapist for anxiety and depression, she has been a huge help already.

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I have had depression for years, waaaayyyyyy before surgery. It has not gotten any worse/better 2 years post-op. I am a little happier overall and my self-esteem is much much higher with the weight loss. But the 2 weeks right after surgery, I was pissed at the world an was ready to fight anyone and everyone - for no reason I can figure out! :wacko:

But, for everything I've gone though, it was sooooooo worth it to be released from the Fat Suit I was trapped in and to realize the dream of being a normal sized person. But you gotta be willing to commit to the necessary changes it will entail. I was a rock bottom before I committed to surgery.

You are stronger than you think. You CAN make BIG changes.
Imagine yourself a year from now. What chances will you regret not taking? What opportunities will you regret having turned down? Certain sacrifices are worth it. I wish upon you the wisdom to know which ones are right.

Hi all,

I am set for sleeve surgery on 3/31. I have read many posts about people having regrets and getting depressed after surgery. I already struggle with depression and am concerned about post-surgery depression. I would appreciate any suggestions for things to do pre-surgery or post. Thank you!!!

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I have had depression for years, i did not find that the sleeve worsened it at all.

its major surgery.......but i'm better for it. I don't think about food. I see pizza, burgers

fries on tv.......my reaction, so what. what i do think about, because it has changed (for Me)

my way of thinking. What will I do this summer, what New things will I do with my life.

none of this has to do with food. For the first time in 55 years I have a new way of thinking,

ME FIRST. with saying this, i'm 55 married to the same wonderful guy 32 years, 5 children

25, 27, 27, 28, & 30.... one grandson 17 months, him i want to do more with. i'm the youngest

of 6 still call my parents to see how they are doing. inlaws my father in law ......i call them my mother and father

inlove instead of inlaws because they gave me a wonderful gift , my hubby. I took care of my

father in love for almost 2 years with alzheimers, he went home to be with the Lord a little over 2 years ago.

my mother in love, i had her move in with us. No regrets.

so its BIG when I say it has changed my mindset to ME...... and my new lease on life. Not selfish just putting my

health first. Depression.....it may be there be it seems improved. its the not thinking about food first that

has put my mindset in a different place. Everyone is different oh it 4 weeks today i was sleeved, on dec 31, 2014

down 21lbs. eating and drinking on schedule.

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I had depression before the surgery so getting depressed after is just something that happens to me. But it's not any worse than before, the only thing is that I can't turn to food now for comfort. I will either go to the gym or play with my son. Just find something to get yourself moving and your mind off of things.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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