I know one person who blew his brains out after weight loss surgery. Another who actually starved herself to death. She had cancer, was on chemo, and just completely stopped eating. The doctor said her cause of death was malnutrition.

Both of these people had a long history of mental illness and probably should not have had surgery. The woman had divorced her husband, alienated her family and friends, and had absolutely no support system in place.

The man was in a loving marriage and his wife also had the surgery. She is now happily remarried.

If you are already suffering from a mental illness and contemplating suicide, then I do believe that weight loss surgery can increase your risk of committing suicide.

I know another person who has become a severe alcoholic since surgery. None of the rehab programs have made any difference. A few months ago she was drunk and beating up her husband. He had her arrested and put in jail. She is currently back living with her 71 year old mother and father. She is 50 years old.

Food is the main source of comfort for many obese people. When that is taken away, they are at risk of finding unhealthy ways to cope. Alcohol, gambling, shopping, and sex are some of the things that people substitute for food.

I believe that almost all of us have anxiety before surgery. It is a big life changing decision that comes with risks. I went as far as to review my will and make funeral arrangements.

The day after surgery, I felt great and wondered what all the fuss was about. I really did not feel any different. I just was not hungry and lost weight easily.

I did attend support meetings and work with a therapist. The risk of suicide is most likely higher a few years after surgery when the weight loss stops, the compliments stop, and the regain often starts.

Everything comes with risk. You have probably been evaluated by a psychologist prior to approval for surgery. That was a requirement for me.

Suicide after surgery is about 6 out of 10,000 people and those people were all probably suicidal before surgery.

I am over 11 years post op. Currently maintaining slightly below goal.

Since I am so far out post op, and below goal - there are no foods I can't eat. All foods are on my "what can I eat" list. Including desserts, starches, breads etc.

But just because I can eat something, or drink something, it doesn't mean I should eat that every day or often.

As I found out the hard way, eating "whatever I wanted and having some alcoholic drinks socially " caused weight regain, up to 40 lbs regain. That was not cool.

Now I try to weigh myself daily, and if my weekly average weight is going up, or it reached the top of my goal range scale, I dont eat foods I know would cause regain. Like crackers, bread, fries, potatoes, pasta, even fruits.

I am currently below goal and I do allow myself a bite or 2 of something I normally dont eat, but only a small serving, and often after a meal.

I also discovered that drinking alcohol, a few times a week at the most, would trigger weight gain. So 99% of the time I now choose not to drink any. I'm ok with that.

It so upsets me when people are given a list of foods to eat that includes crackers and toast. It feels like you are being given a license to fail. I did not touch crackers or bread for the first three years and still am extremely careful with them.

You need meat, eggs, cheese, fish, poultry, protein shakes and very little else. Flour, sugar, cereal, vegetables (especially starchy ones) and most fruit are things that will stop your initial weight loss. Don't even think about eating them until you are well below your goal weight and don't mind some regain. I did allow myself strawberries and blueberries. I added apples after 18 months.

Hi JMK.. Thanks for your reply. Crackers and toast are actually on my approved list. We have been on soft foods since week 2 and crackers are included in that. However, I probably have been eating too much but it is because of hunger. I have had the ricotta back and that is great. I just think I need to have two protein shakes a day and one or two small soft meals. That should do it. My NUT said around 600 calories a day right now. I was probably getting close to 1000. Anyway.. thanks for your input !

a little over a month out i dont even think I was on solids yet. My caloric intake was about 300-400 calories a day. I was eating pretty much 1 can of fat free refried beans a day. Sometimes I would switch off between the beans and the ricotta cheese bake for a meal. My calories would be a little higher for the day if i had the ricotta. The reason I ate the beans was part because I couldnt stomach pureeing my own chicken(thought of now makes me want to vomit) and I didnt like the taste of canned chicken too much(smells like tuna). And also part because they satisfied me. I would eat about 5oz of refried beans with a sprinkling of shredded cheddar(and i do mean just a sprinkling for flavor) and some hotsauce and it would satiate me.

What are you eating exactly? You mentioned crackers..Not good. Slider food and empty calories. You have to eat something from the approved list..it will be a protein source. I chose the fat free refried beans.

All in All though 12lbs in a month is still pretty good. Just stay away from them slider foods..Drink lots of water..and Follow the Protein First rule Always. If you're hungry after a meal do something to get your mind off of food..Go For A walk..Do a puzzle..Something. Good Luck.