How did your mental health change after surgery?

My weight definitely piled on when I went to college. When I moved home and then out on my own it got even worse. I was depressed and in denial that I was suffering from said depression and anxiety. I used food to cope and developed a lot of bad habits.

I have declined plans to stay home and binge eat and I have also flaked on plans because I literally did not have nice enough clothes that fit me where I would feel comfortable going out with friends for a night. I have missed countless events and milestones in loved one’s lives because I have reached a point where I am in physical pain when I walk or stand too long.

I’m embarrassed and ashamed that I let myself get to this point, but I’m moving forward to getting my life back. The number one thing I am excited for after surgery is getting healthy enough that I won’t have to worry that there are only booths at a restaurant or that if I go out I might have to stand and not sit.

Has anyone noticed positive changes in their social life in this regard?

I should probably clarify that I believe I suffered from depression before my weight issues. The dynamics of my social, romantic, and familial relationships have always influenced my mental health the most.

I’m completely off my Wellbutrin and working on getting off my Prozac next ??

I've experienced many positive changes. I live life now, instead of existing. The are still times I feel "fat" and unhealthy but they is fat from the truth. I'm the healthiest and most active I've ever been. I challenge myself to get out and do things. That was a struggle in the past. I'm somewhat introverted and have some social anxiety but I'm determined not to let it control my new life. It's amazing what we can do, or not do, when we convince ourselves with different thoughts. I still have a hard time meeting women but I'm trying to work on that. Alot of it is my own fears and insecurities.

HW = 360

SW = 292

GW = 220 reached 3/7/18

CW = 210 @ 6'5"

150 pounds lost! [emoji106]

hmmmm....I've always had a fairly active social life, but some of my friends have changed, though. I now have several friends who are really into fitness - and we often meet for exercise classes rather than lunch or dinner. So I'm not sure how much the changes in the social piece have affected my mental health. HOWEVER, I don't sit around worrying anymore that I'm going to have a heart attack - or that I'm not going to survive long enough to see my 65th birthday - or that I'm going to be rushed to the ER and hearing that there's not much they can do to help me since I weigh almost 400 lbs - or that I'm going to have to start using a wheelchair or scooter within the next five years. And not dealing with those anxieties anymore has GOT to have been a huge benefit to my overall mental health!

Thank you all for sharing. I’m sort of in a whirlwind of emotions at the moment. My surgery is coming up on September 30th and I’ve done a lot of “head work” to prepare. I’ve finally acknowledged exactly what my issues are so now it’s time for the action to follow.

My surgery is this Monday 8/12 & I was told to be prepared for a temporary change in hormones & possibly feeling a bit depressed for a few weeks. I’m glad that I know that going in . If that happens I’ll know it’s a byproduct of the surgery & it will pass

The first year post op is going to be a mental mind-screw. Your going to be VERY emotional post op. Your going to cry for no reason at all, and just be emotional in general.

Hormones are stored in fat. When the fat is lost, hormones get displaced and need to be re-absorbed. This will cause you to be an emotional wreck.

Stay in therapy, talk it out.

Make no rash decisions in the first year post op. Make NO major life decisions that first year post op. No having babies, divorces, etc. You need to make sure you have a clear NON-EMOTIONAL head when these decisions are made.

80% of bariatric patients end up divorced post op. If your in the 20% that doesn't that's amazing. If your playing the odds, it will be SUPER easy for you to want to "step out" and find emotional or sexual support from someone other than who you are with. DON'T DO IT! Clear your head, think about your choices, and then make them with a clear mind.

Relationship with your children, friends, co-workers... it will all change too.... and that's ok. Just know it will happen.

Lots to come in that first 365 days..... strap in... its going to be a wild ride. Message anytime.

I truly believe that my weight and sedentary nature had contributed to my depression. I went un-diagnosed as such for the longest time because I couldn't admit it to myself nor did I reach out to my physician. However, now that I've lost nearly 100 lbs and I'm fully active again, I find that my depressive episodes have reduced greatly.

I have my moments, but for the longest time I thought it was unchangeable. There are studies that link your emotional well-being to regular exercise, so I have no doubt that is what helped me the most in addition to feeling better due to the weight loss. I am exercising every single day and I have not felt this good in many years.

Not to mention all the things you can do without worrying any more once you lose the weight like restaurant booths, amusement park rides, airplane seats (that was big for me) and much more.

Good luck in your journey

I've had depression most of my life that has sometimes been mild and manageable and sometimes resulted in deep depressive episodes that last months. My surgery is in 3 days and I'm very worried about how my depression is going to respond to not having one of the things that brings me happy brain chemicals (fattening, carby, delicious food). I discussed this with the psychiatrist I met with pre-surgery and she just said to keep a close eye on my mental health. But I'm still very worried.