Is Depression Inevitable?

[MamaTre]

I'm new to this site as of yesterday. Surgery scheduled for 7/5/11.

I'm nervous, yet excited. I've been reading alot about some folks getting really depressed after surgery due to not being able to eat so much food. As we all know, the Sleeve does nothing for the brain but I would really like to know more about the depression that post-ops folks are going through.

Comments/Suggestions? Thanks Guys!

[raisa_wls]

Hi! I don`t know if I could blame the surgery or the fact that I don`t eat enough, but I fell into the deepest depression of my life. I had more than 2 attempts of suicidal in the last 6 months.. But I wouldn`t blame the surgery, it depends on you, if you are strong enough to pass through all this. In the end the surgery should bring joy into your life. My life was messy even before the surgery and I sometimes feel like I don`t get the support I need. Make sure people take it easy on you and enjoy your weight loss, concentrate on yourself, try to change your life style and trust yourself. This would be the recipe of succes

[Jeni]

Hi Raisa,
I'm sorry you've been so depressed. From your photo you look like a beautiful woman! Take care of yourself and enjoy life!

Take care and God bless you!
Jeni

[MamaTre]

Thank you Raisa. Yes, we are all different but it's good to hear back about some of this stuff. I'm sorry you went thur such a hard time but I do agree with Jeni, in that you are a beautific woman!

[Shortskwirt]

I struggled with depression before surgery, not after. Now that I am a month post-op I feel the best I have ever felt. I have more energy and I want to do way more. I do get into little holes of depression but it is up to you to learn your body and find a way of coping that works for you. I get depressed when I have to say no to a food that is right in front of me and I use to eat all the time. you will have times where you are upset but you just need to learn your body and find your own way of coping with things. I use to write in a journal everyday before anyone knew I had depression because I didn't want to talk to anyone so putting the words on paper helped me get them off my chest. But I can say that the best decision I was ever forced into was to go talk to a therapist. But make sure you like him/her. I went thru 4 different therapists before I trusted one enough to talk to them. Again, its all just up to you and how you cope with things and you have to learn your body!! Hope all if well for you!!~

[This is it]

HI. I have suffered depression on and off all my life. I was sleeved on 21 March and am doing quite well. Of course there are down days but along with my surgeon, I also have a psychologist and dietician. So there is a good team to help me when I need it. Being sleeved really does change your life but for the better. It's just a bit hard sometimes getting used to it. But the benefits outweigh any negatives. Good luck

[Dana]

Possible? yes. Inevitable? no ma'am. when I went to a counselor years ago, he said a major life experience can trigger depression if you had been through a trauma in your life and hadnt dealt with it properly. for me, at the time, having a baby triggered mine.I hadnt fully forgiven someone who was very cruel to me as a child. I also believe this was part of why I gained so much weight so fast.
this IS a major life experience, and like a baby, is a positive one, but it can still trigger it. It doesnt cause it. plus some people mourn their lack of comfort and need to find another. This can be a healing experience body and soul.
this surgery did not affect me like that this time but probably bc I have healed after all this time, though Im still a worrier!
If you are not prone to depression, Im sure you will be fine. Im ready for some good things! out with the old, in with the new!

[FlowerGalTX]

It is essential to realize that depression is a symptom of something else. One still needs to figure out the root of depression.

Is depression inevitable? No, definitely no, but it is possible. Dana said it best that even though this surgery is a positive life change it could still lead to depression.

It is important for each of us to realize what the symptoms of depression are. There is a range of depression and many mild symptoms go under the radar.

Here is a great place to start on learning more about depression, how to spot it and how to deal with it.
Depression Symptoms, Warning Signs, Types, and Complications

Keeping a journal, talking to a counselor or life coach or finding some way to process all of the emotions surrounding this journey help.

[ebauer333]

I am struggling with depression right now, part of it is i have so many pills to crush up and take a couple for depression and i can't seem to get all of them in each day. I was prone to it before, and now yes I am morning the loss of a life long comfort. But i have promised myself once i can get off of the liquid diet adn be more flexible it will look up for me. This is my lot right now but when I am a size 14 and looking better then in high school i won't care about this little spat of depression. I feel like I have to call it what it is and move on from it. Good luck to you keep your eye on the prize!!!

[MamaTre]

Thank you all for your support. All of this REALLY, TRULEY does help me. 8 days and counting THANKS SO MUCH!!