Hello All,

I am diagnosed with both anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. I have been medicated and in treatment for the last few years. I stoped treatment (talk therapy) this last October as I was feeling much better. My new meds has made a huge difference. But now, here I am 5 months later having a major bout of both anxiety and depression. I am still taking my medication religiously. But I think my stress around the surgery is what tipped the scale.

I have always turned to food, wine, medical marijuana to cope with my mental illnesses. All have been successful in doing so. But CLEARLY are not the healthy way to go about it. My weight plays a major role in this as well I believe because I never was this bad until I put on all this weight.

I have a full time career and am a Mommy to my amazing, energetic 3 year old. Many days I am holding back tears around 5pm because I am so incredibly exausted feeling like I don’t have the energy to move never mind be a good mother.

I am sorry this is so long. Has anyone struggled with these things? Did it get better or worse after surgery? I have quite drinking, smoking, & have changed my eating habits the past two weeks. I start therapy next week to help as well. I want to put fourth as many supports as possible now to ensure success later.

Thank you for the info guys!

I don't have relevant experience to offer you, but do offer my support. Hang in there and come here for help when you need it. Rely on all your medical support, too, from nutritionist to surgeon to psychological support systems.

{{{Hugs}}} Good luck!

Kristen! I feel for you!! We're like twins! Except I don't have a child. LOL I have suffered from depression and anxiety for YEARS... and the sad part? I didn't even know that's really what it was! I had to go through a mental breakdown at work and drink non-stop before I realized something was dreadfully wrong. Long story short, I'm on a medication I have found to work the best for me without any horrible side effects (Lamotrigine) and I had gone to CBT every other week for two years straight. Before surgery, I was doing VERY well with handling the depression and anxiety - however, I was very unhappy with my health. It hurt to move and I had absolutely NO. ENERGY. TO. SPEAK. OF. Like zero.

I'm 3 weeks post op and I still have no energy. LOL. BUT! The idea is that as I slowly lose this weight, my energy will slowly come back. I have drunk my entire life. Starting out with beer in high school/college and then onto wine later. Lots of wine. It doesn't matter what night it was, I would have a drink in my hand (and an e-cig in the other). This was the case right up till 2 weeks before surgery (pre-op diet).

MY weight, my drinking, my joints, my liver... ugh, I could not continue this life style. I was ready for a HUUUUGE change. I was sleeved on 2/28. I am still smoking my ecig. It's my only safety blanket now. Everything else is gone - FOOD & WINE. I had to stop the Lamotrigine because you can't swallow pills post surgery. I will have to tritrate up again when I can incorporate regular foods in my diet again. I only see my therapist these days on an "as needed" basis. I will definitely be posting my tribulations and successes in the future. Goal is to get back on my medicine, see my therapist possibly more, start running again, eat better (though not perfect and read the forums here for the rest of my life. And Wine? Yes, I plan on having a glass for my 42nd birthday in September! Hehehe.

i’m 2 years post op. i have experience with what you’re speaking of, with myself and my clients that have MDD. i’d say the simplest most important thing would be to reach out when you’re feeling the most down. if you’re open to considering medication just to help you feel more level, there are so many out there that work, lots more options than there were even 5-10 years ago. once your weight drops and you develop a good eating and exercise routine, you’ll have way more energy.

On 3/22/2018 at 12:46 AM, logicwand said:

I had to stop the Lamotrigine because you can't swallow pills post surgery.

Double-check this . . . I was swallowing vitamin pills of a pretty decent size a couple days after surgery. Some people have trouble, some don't.

7 hours ago, XYZXYZXYZ1955 said:

Double-check this . . . I was swallowing Vitamin pills of a pretty decent size a couple days after surgery. Some people have trouble, some don't.

yep- I have been able to swallow pills from about day 4 on...