Depressed- Am I still a good candidate?

[Bloodhound 17]

I had a consultation and the doctor has availabilities in two weeks- much sooner than I'd thought. I'm depressed, largely in part due to body image issues. I'm worried I will want to eat solid food on my immediate post-op liquid diets. I am also concerned about the depression that I am experiencing now and how it will bare on my surgery. Experience and hope welcome.

[Sunnyway 345]

Just keep drinking broth, and eating sugar-free Jello and sugar-free Popsicles along with your Protein Shakes. You will be fine. It's not fun, but it's definitely do-able.

If your depression is more than situational, do seek counseling. Counseling and medication can help.

[ShoppGirl 5,072]

Most people have to go through a psyc evaluation to determine if they are “fit” for surgery. If you do not have to you may consider seeing a therapist anyways and working on your depression first. This tool is like a one shot deal. You want to go in with your mind in the right place so you are the most successful. That’s not to say that if your depression is entirely because of your weight that you aren’t ready. A doctor will be able to help you determine that though.

[Maribelle76 82]

That's awesome that you could get it done so soon if you want to! I am usually an upbeat person, but over the past few years I was feeling depressed about my weight, too. Having the surgery helped SOO much. I finally felt like I was doing something productive about it. I hope it helps you, too.

[Bloodhound 17]

Thank

1 hour ago, ShoppGirl said:

Most people have to go through a psyc evaluation to determine if they are “fit” for surgery. If you do not have to you may consider seeing a therapist anyways and working on your depression first. This tool is like a one shot deal. You want to go in with your mind in the right place so you are the most successful. That’s not to say that if your depression is entirely because of your weight that you aren’t ready. A doctor will be able to help you determine that though.

Thanks!

[Bloodhound 17]

57 minutes ago, Maribelle76 said:

That's awesome that you could get it done so soon if you want to! I am usually an upbeat person, but over the past few years I was feeling depressed about my weight, too. Having the surgery helped SOO much. I finally felt like I was doing something productive about it. I hope it helps you, too.

58 minutes ago, Maribelle76 said:

That's awesome that you could get it done so soon if you want to! I am usually an upbeat person, but over the past few years I was feeling depressed about my weight, too. Having the surgery helped SOO much. I finally felt like I was doing something productive about it. I hope it helps you, too.

Thank-you for that. I was not so depressed, just regular amount depression, still mostly functional. When the "nail in the coffin" pounds came on I became more and more depressed. That coupled with attempts to lose weight and fit friends made me despondent. I think this will help, but I still reach out to food to soothe. Any thoughts on the abusing sugar piece?

[Bloodhound 17]

4 hours ago, Sunnyway said:

Just keep drinking broth, and eating sugar-free Jello and sugar-free Popsicles along with your Protein Shakes. You will be fine. It's not fun, but it's definitely do-able.

If your depression is more than situational, do seek counseling. Counseling and medication can help.

Thank-you!

[lizonaplane 1,613]

I would seek counseling, especially if your way to cope with feelings of sadness or depression is to eat. Getting your head in the right place is essential to success in this process. Maybe you need an antidepressant; maybe you will be fine with ongoing counseling - who knows? Just see a therapist to find out what is actually necessary to get ready for the surgery. It messes with your head, from what I've been told and seen here. Partly because when your fat cells shrink, it releases estrogen, and that makes people really emotional.

[Sleeve_Me_Alone 656]

Completely agree with what others have said. Depression does NOT preclude you from surgery; I have depression and GAD and am scheduled for VSG on 9/21. BUT, getting your mental health stable and making sure you have healthy coping measures in place before surgery will ensure your success post-op. If you aren't already, it may be worth getting into therapy and seeing a psychiatrist about medication. Depression can drive addiction and WLS is not a cure-all for food addiction or other disordered eating habits, so its super important you are actively taking steps to break those cycles before surgery. I know it can feel impossible to take those first steps, but you absolutely can do it and will be better for it!