Recent Posts
I'm so sorry you're going through this. It will get easier. The first several months are very hard. It's a hard surgery on your body and your mind. You still probably aren't feeling too well physically, and that alone takes a toll on your emotions. And yes, it can also be hormones. They change rapidly as fat cells store hormones, and they all get dumped into your body as the fat cell shrinks. Give yourself time to heal, and as you are able to eat more "real" foods, and exercise more, you'll hopefully start feeling much better!
I am so sorry to hear this. Did she have the Roux-en-Y? I don't think people realize just how devastating this is for the loved ones as well. If family and friends were educated on the psychological and behavioral signs and symptoms of malabsorption such as agression, depression, anxiety, insomnia, then perhaps these issues could be caught sooner. There has been focus on the increase in alcoholism, but far less attention paid to the increase in mood disorders. This is very concerning because typically serious mood disorders are usually diagnosed early in life (late teens or early twenties). So to have gastric bypass patients suddenly developing these serious issues should be a huge red flag to surgeons and psychiatrists. Unfortunately, the bariatric field has been eager to place the blame on the patients for developing psychological problems after surgery. Often, they just attribute it to the drastic life changes that can accompany significant weight loss, rather than dig deeper to see what is really causing these problems.
I don't know if you've experienced this, but when my ex-husband was in a treatment facility, in spite of all the information about malabsorption and gastric bypass I provided, I could not get the doctor to even prescribe him a multi-vitamin, much less extra calcium, iron, B-12, Omega-3 fish oil, magnesium.....etc. But they were mighty swift to give him heavy duty mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety meds, all of which only temporarily mask the problem.
I am so sorry your daughter is going through this, as well as you and everyone who loves her. My advice is to just keep trying to find knowledgable doctors who are familiar with the behaviorial and psychiatric problems caused by long term malabsorption. For myself, I found a doctor who gives me IV nutrient injections. I do this either once a month or a few times a month depending on how compliant I've been with my supplements. But it is still a constant commitment.
Best wishes to your daughter.
I have had depression and been on medications for years. Every case is different but I have an idea how you feel. I had buyers remorse that I couldnt have my none judgeing friend "food" with me post surgery. Weight comes off and I am healthier but I was in a heavy depression until my body adjusted 5 months post surgery. It was not quick or easy. The best thing to do now is what I had to do, accept the consequence of this action. Accept that this is your life now and do the best you can. Tell your docs how you are feeling. Maybe a new med would help but first stop kicking yourself for having life saving surgery and accept what is going on now.
I have a daughter who had it and her whole personality changed. In the years since she has had it she has had so many complications with other body organs and is now using a bypass for urine and bowels. I cannot begin to tell you how her way of living has changed. It has hurt so many people in so many ways. The only place she is safe from doing bad things to herself and others is in an institution. There is no doubt in my mind that the gastric stapling changed her brain chemical balance and has had devastiting effects on her life and those who love her.
My doctor recently started me on Viibryd. She started me out on 10mg and now has me on 20 mg. I have been on it for three weeks and haven't noticed any help yet. I'm trying to stay positive, but it is hard to be patient. I am also on Abilify for a mood stabiilzer. Anyone else tried either of these or this combo? I've been on Abilify for years now. Any feedback is appreciative.
Stephanie E
on 4/26/13 11:51 pm
I take Wellbutrin immediate release twice a day, 100 mgs each...I have been taking it for about 2 years and it worked wonders for me!!
I havn't had my surgery yet but I have dealt with depression for years. I would go and talk to your psychiatrist about it and maybe try different meds, it took me a long time to find something that really worked for me, everyone is different. I have had psychiatrists who didn't want to listen to me and try different meds so I switched doctors, you should find someone who is going to listen to what you have to say and give you different options.
