Major depression after DS

I went to Dr.Greenbaums office today to do paperwork for surgery. Well, Dr.G tells me some people go thru a major depressive state weeks following surgery. With my current depression/bi-polar/anxiety (whatever u wanna call it) issues, im worried about this. any help?!?! What was your mental state like?

I had a very bad depression episode a few months out that took some major medication fumbling and good strong therapy support to get through. You need to have your supports firmly in place before surgery and a plan for how to get help if you have trouble....including a prearranged way for those closest to you to insist that it's time to get help if they see you are floundering.

Thank you for sharing.

 I'm pre-op still and I've been on Paxil for years. I too have been told about depression after WLS so I have already put into effect a plan. Besides my family who will see me daily and hopefully notice if something is going on, I have a couple friends who I've also asked to do 'mental health' checks on me. Usually, if I'm going into a funk they are the ones that I pull back from and start to not do things with, and since they are my exercise buddies too, they will be seeing me 5 days a week. I've also given them permission (and signed the forms with my pcp's office) to have them talk to my pcp if they feel this is a problem and I won't talk to them so that my pcp will kick my ass into gear to get me to see my therapist if needed. 

Because of all I had read as a pre-op about depression worsening during the fast weight loss phase, I had my anti-drepressant dose increased.  I started taking the increased dosage right after surgery and haven't really had any bad episodes.

My emotions are expressed more stongly since surgery (my husband is being very sweet by telling me this without calling me *****y), but I'm not suffering from the strong highs and lows that my depression can cause me to feel.

I don't know if my experience will help, but this was my situation.

Best wishes, Charrie

Well, I don't usually need medication unless there is something like the death of a loved one or divorce that I need help through.

I know I'm gonna have issues when the days are long and dark, like now, when we just rolled the clocks back for daylight savings, and when the holidays roll around and it reminds me of the most recent deaths of loved ones that aren't going to be showing up this year, so it helps just to know it's coming.

The depression after surgery surprised me, but I guess is common. Don't underestimate how long it can take for the anesthesia and other drugs to leave your system, and the effects of the hormones and other crap dumping out of your fat cells. Knowing it's coming ahead of time helps, and if you know you may need meds, have them on hand, and make sure your doc has a heads up in case you need some help.

I had not a single second of depression post-op.  I consider myself so very fortunate to have discovered the DS, my wonderful doctor and this site, I will be eternally ecstatic!
Lisa

 I've had no problems at all.  And there is a strong history of depressive disorders in my family.  I was lucky.

I had some moderate depression/anxiety issues several years pre-op.    I was kind of bracing myself for some hormonally-driven problems as a post-op, because I'd heard it could happen.  Nothing.   Like another poster said, I was so thrilled to have had this new chance at life, I guess I just kind of sailed right on through.   I have read some studies that suggest a mild-dose estrogen patch can help us through that temporary estrogen-dumping rapid weight stage as a newbie post-op.   I would not have hesitated to try something like that if any symptoms had surfaced.   

I had a very bad depression post op. Can't remember exactly how far out I was.

I think you can expect to have a worsening of your depression symptoms if you have bipolar or recurrent depression and should have support in place PRIOR to surgery.

Your meds may need to be tweaked. You may need increased therapy sessions. You may need more frequent medication management sessions.

Being proactive so you are ready for it is my best advice.