From what I am aware people who are already on anti-depressants will not absorb as much of the medication after the surgery. There a lot of people will have to have there meds adjusted.

I do know that some people will have mood changes and the likes right after surgery . Sort of like buyer's remorse. I do know a few people who went through this at first, but as time went by and they were able to eat more "normal" and get back to feeling better that their perspective change and they were glad they had it done.

I hope this helped.

The permanence of the procedure is something I think you really have to wrestle with. You have to know within whether you are truly ready to not go back to the way you ate before and that your relationship with food must change. It is a very real consideration. I have a good friend who knows I am considering surgery and she asked me this very question this morning. And my answer was 'I don't know.' That's why I going through this process of exploration and contemplation. It seems though that you have been very thoughtful about this process and know the answer for that yourself.

It IS very common after any surgery to experience some depression and i can imaging there is a real mourning that may take place after WLS. But I would think that would be put next to feeling better with weight loss and better health.

Give consideration to her words-a good GP is a gift-but also know that you have been on this journey and have wrestled with these questions already.

I had surgery four weeks ago and I wouldn't say I'm depressed, I would say that I am overwhelmed. Without food to fall back on, I am amazed at the sheer amount of emotions that I covered up with food. I can't turn to food to deal with them anymore so I have to actually acknowledge the feelings and deal with them, usually right them because I am not a sit on it kind of girl. I don't feel like the therapy that I did for well over six months before this surgery even came close to preparing me for the sense of loss that I have felt since my surgery day.

I also have way more money in my bank account, which is a plus!!

I can completely understand how this procedure could cause depression or even something that feels like depression. Everyday I wake up and I feel a little more free and as time goes on, I know it'll get better. I still feel uncomfortable and I still feel like I'm not losing fast enough but it'll all work out in the end. This happened for a reason so I'm just gonna go with it.

I don't think its fair to say that you will be more depressed. If you have mental health issues you have them while u are self medicating with food...you might continue to have them after. But worse? One of the benefits of the right after surgery is the high you get while losing weight...you fixate on it for a while .you feel good about your changing body and watching the scale move....kind of filling in the gap of the before comfort eating. Certainly VSG isn't going to fix your depression issues ...that takes years of headwork.

The surgery is deffo permanent...that's the point...a permanent tool to keep your weight down. VSG isn't like gastric bypass you are basically only getting the volume of your stomach reduced. It really has very few adversities. U still get all your vitamins from your food and you still eat. Dumping can happen but its not nearly as common as with GB ..basically its just a restrictive surgery. I call it a designer stomach. We don't chase and hunt our food or garden it or gather it...our genetic stomachs are beyond too large for most of our lifestyles yet we still are hungry and trying to fill it. VSG is just a smaller stomach. That's it.

Personally I have never missed my stomach in the last 7 years...not once. If I was still obese...I would still be in depths of depression or dead by now. I cannot equate gluttony with being happier. I am much happier now.

Just my 2 cents...

If u want to see a long term study ( besides me lol) on people with all of their stomach removed This family is what made me choose VSG...they have no stomach...read the article and then read below where the subject actually responded to the article...its very interesting They are doing well though they do not have a stomach at ...

http://cancer.about.com/b/2006/06/19/family-at-risk-for-stomach-cancer-has-stomach-removal-surgery.htm

I didn't have any depression after the surgery. Overwhelmed? Of yeah! It's a lot of information and a lot of change to how you shop and prepare food, and getting the water in, etc. But actual depression or even that "what have I done" feeling, no. I know it's commen for depression after any surgery, simply because of the trama the body goes through, it can throw the checmical balance off in the brain. Also, if a person has depression issues before surgery, the added stress to the body from any surgery can make them worse. I guess my point is, this particular surgery isn't know to "cause" depression so that's not something I would worry about.

I also agree with what others have written here. If your relationship with food makes you feel you are losing a friend when you diet, you will most likely be depressed after WLS. But I think that's more an emotional issue than a checmical imbalance or stress from surgery issue.

I've had some emotional moments after my surgery 2 weeks ago. I had to be changed to a non extended release version of one of my depression meds (because you have to crush meds for 3 months) , and also my blood sugars are more variable, my energy is low on less than 800 cal, and some pain , all of which I'm sure contributes to some depressed mood. but I'm already getting complements on my appearance, and my clothes fit better, I'm happier with how I look in the mirror, so it's balancing out.

I think that there are several issues involved with mental health and WLS...

The first is denial of mental illness/mood disorder/depression/compulsivity pre-op. Many people cling to the idea that they have become morbidly obese simply because they have a slow metabolism, had a physical illness or injury or for other reasons beyond their control. The truth is that no one becomes morbidly obese because they "like" food or slightly overeat. There may be very few cases where someone truly has a terrible metabolism, but that would be rare. Generally, people who are morbidly obese have underlying issues that have caused them to abuse food in a way that others may choose to abuse drugs, sex, shopping or gambling. WLS does not fix those underlying issues. I find it amusing/interesting/frustrating that when I frequently suggest cognitive behavioral therapy to those who are entering the WLS process, they respond as if I'm crazy. There is a huge amount of denial and lack of insight present in many who enter this process as evidenced by the number of people who post in WLS forums asking how to "trick" or "get around" the psychiatric interview component or mask their current mental illness to expedite the surgical process.

The second, which is a consequence of the first, is the presence of "cross addictions" post-op. Many of us have used food as a source of comfort and pleasure, and as our primary coping mechanism for "numbing" our mood disorder-related illness. When that coping mechanism and pleasure is abruptly removed from our lives, and we have not developed other healthy coping mechanisms and sources of pleasure, it can send us into a serious decompensation. It's not a coincidence that many of the most successful WLS patients become addicted to excercise -- running, lifting weights, or become very, very controlling about the types of food that they consume -- carb limiting and logging food come to mind. These are coping mechanisms that enhance success. People who don't find the structure and healthy coping behaviors often begin to abuse other things -- alcohol, drugs, shopping, sex. I have seen numerous people in my online social network of WLS patients develop drug or alcohol issues, become very sexually promiscuous, or have online or real-life affairs. It is very important to be aware that this can happen, develop healthy coping skills and replace food with other healthy, pleasurable activities.

The third is that many morbidly obese people (myself included) see weight as 'THE THING" in the their life that keeps them from being happy. If only they were thin, they would be sexy, successful at work, find a (better) boyfriend, be active, be financially secure, be a better parent, etc. etc... They also believe that WLS is "THE WAY" to fix everything and find their perfect life. This is so untrue. Being overweight is miserable, and my quality of life is much higher now that I'm thin, but WLS had very little to do with it. WLS is great for losing weight, but does very, very little to help maintain weight. I would credit WLS with 75% of my ability to lose weight, and only 25% of my ability to maintain my loss. People who believe that WLS is the only solution to their problems are destined to fail. And that failure would be very, very depressing, because we've all failed so many times at weight loss before, and many of us seek WLS as the final solution.

I think that the scientific literature surrounding compulsive eating and how to diagnose and fix the mental disorders that contribute to and are consequences of morbid obesity is severely lacking, but I do know that cognitive behavioral therapy is highly effective for the treatment of other eating disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders and low-self esteem. Being fat is such a small part of the equation, and developing a healthy lifestyle is so important in making the positive changes that we all desire. I highly recommend that mental health, emotional health and general fitness and health are pursued concurrently and with an equal amount of energy as people enter the realm of WLS.

I have absolutely no regrets about having WLS. WLS along with CBT have changed my life in ways I never dreamed possible, but it has required a great deal of physical and emotional effort to get to where I am today.

I think that there are several issues involved with mental health and WLS...

...Great Stuff Snipped...

I have absolutely no regrets about having WLS. WLS along with CBT have changed my life in ways I never dreamed possible, but it has required a great deal of physical and emotional effort to get to where I am today.

Really good post, Sunshine! Lots of good stuff to think about.

Outstanding post Sunshine. I credit 90% of my success with learning to love me unreservedly as a 43 yr old obese woman prior to my surgery. I thank God the surgery wasn't available to me 10 yrs ago. I would have eaten right around it.