Question:
Will weight loss after the surgery help my life long depression go away?

Have any of you experienced this. I don't know which came first, the weight or the depression. I know they both ended my marriage and helped me loose a great job. Is there hope????    — Sharon B. (posted on March 8, 2003)

March 8, 2003
I myself dont know what came first the weight or the depression but I will say this..Im only 7 weeks post op and I ALREADY feel better then ever before..between depression meds the surgery and therapy I havent ever been happier :)
   — christine S.

March 8, 2003
Greaaaaat...a person whose symptoms include hopelessness asking if there is hope. Unfortunatly, Sharon, I don't think weight loss surgery will lift a biological depression, particularly one that is chronic and recurrent. Weight loss, however, will get rid of one thing that has you feel bad about yourself if being overweight lowers your self esteem. Weight loss will also help you to be more physically active, which can help level out depression. But as someone who takes an antidepressant, I can honestly say that weight loss surgery did not alleviate my depression. I have a purely biological depression and medication is the only thing that holds it in check. Because I am responsible about the management of my depression, just like I am responsible for the management of my asthma and weight, I am alert to early symptoms, responsive to getting appropriate treatment early before any of the conditions becomes life threatening. I hope you take some heart in that, because depression can be treated and you can lose weight. Good Luck to you!
   — merri B.

March 8, 2003
I've been depressed all my life (even as young as four). I was slim until I started gaining weight at 19. Losing 160 lbs has not stopped my depression. In some ways it's worse. However I do have alot more self confidence now and don't take all the crap I use to. All I can say is get on some anti depresants. They are a god send.
   — Danmark

March 8, 2003
If you are already feeling depression I strongly suggest you make sure you have counseling arranged for after your surgery. Whereas before you would eat when you were depressed, after the surgery you wont physically be able to do that, and that will be tough. Plus there will be the depression caused by losing your best friend...food. This might sound silly to you now, but believe me, it happens. This surgery fixes your stomach, not your head unfortunately, so you'll still need to take care of that part. I can say though that being normal sized does a lot for your self esteem! Good luck.
   — Monica H.

March 8, 2003
Sharon, did u have a psych consult? If you are severly depressed, no dtr would recommend you for surgery! Weight loss will no cure depression or anyhting, I would seek some therapy first. Just my opinion! heather (Open RNY 8/15/02 305/206/150)
   — heathercross

March 8, 2003
M+our surgeons psych doc who approves every one of us says WLS and the big loss often helps depression espically if its caused by our poor self image. Tests WLS show agoraphobia tends to go away. Thats fear of going out. I know for me my depression left with the weigght. I HOPE it helps you too!
   — bob-haller

March 8, 2003
I don't know you from adam but I am going to guess that your depression stems from lots more than weight. However, many many things feed into each other and fuel the various components of depression, so I am sure eight is a major piece. <p>For me losing 200 lbs brought out a severe undiagnosed depression. In reality it may not have even been there before but the weight loss triggered so much and my life was hell for about 5 years. I started out losing weight for all the right reasons to get healthier but along the way things changed and expectations surfaced that never got fulfilled etc. I had things from my earlier years that were buried very deep that I needed to work through etc. I lost the weight in 13 months and gained the first 60 back in 6 months. While this was not fun and very depressing, with a normal sized stomach it wasn't as dangerous as if I tried to do the same with a tiny pouch after RNY surgery. It is critical that your depression be under control or significantly improved and that you are following a psychiatrist's plan and taking your meds and getting counseling. I didn't go into losing a lot of weight knowing I had depression and look what it did to me and I don't think I'm any different than other people out there - it could happen to anyone. I used to say the worst thing I ever did was lose 200 lbs as it set off the depression and TONS of other medical problems - to the tune of 9 surgeries over 6 years, $6000-$7000 of medications a year, and so many medical appointments I wanted to scream. The sad part is I wasn't a hypochondriac, that there is medication for. Everything I complained about turned out to be true and confirmable. However, the percieved severity of some of the conditions was definitely fed by the severity of my depression. When your depression is bad even the slightest thing seems so major and important. I can see that now but at the time I definitely could not. If I was undepressed I might have been able to deal with some of the conditions better. <p>I am so thankful that I have found a medication(Celexa) that works well for me. Life with controlled depression is like life without depression - no difference. The 1-1/2 small pills I take once a day are no big deal. I am assuming my depression will not go away. The dosage of medicine I need may reduce but my depression is situational and biological. The situational I am better able to deal with now because my depression is under great control. I can see things clearly and not with distorted eyes. I have a high stress job but the last couple of years I have really learned to deal better with the various things that come up. I'm not the overemotional out-of-control depressed person. I was fortunate that my employer saw me through the worst. They knew I was a great employee and an asset but I'm sure at times they would have preferred I wasn't there. <p>You can not go into this surgery assuming this is going to fix everything in your life, because you will be very disappointed and could possibly end up considering suicide. I realize this is a far reach but not totally out there. You have a medical problem so treat it like one. Get the medication you need and get feeling good and then consider WLS and not before then. I've had 2 days since surgery where all of the emotions just caught up with me and some simple thing happened that day that set me off and I cried most of the day. However, once I let those emotions go I was back to feeling good. Now that is someone who's depression is under great control. I cannot even imagine going through this post-op life with it's ups and downs, depressed like I was before. <p>I know I am preaching here but I don't want you to have to live through what I did. If you do this in the right order it can work out wonderful. Good Luck! If you'd like to e-mail me privately feel free. Chris
   — zoedogcbr

March 8, 2003
I am not a dr but wanted to voice my opinion on this because I am concerned. WLS will not cure your depression regardless if you feel that your depression is soley because of your weight. There are underlying problems you must conquere and face or you will experience problems regardless of what weight you are. Yes wls can boost your self esteem as you lose weight and began to feel better about your self but please hon please receive help with any and all other problems you are having to deal with so that you can enjoy your life all together hugs Deanna
   — Deanna Wise

March 8, 2003
Just wanted to second what everyone has said here. I have dealt with depression for the last six years-- both with meds and therapy-- although the last year it has not been necessary for me to take meds and now I am four weeks post RNY. I can honestly say that my depression is not as bad as it was before. Whether the surgery is responsible for that, I have no idea. It could be that I am just happier in my life. The surgery will not cure depression, but, with the loss of weight, it will make it easier to exercise and exercise can help tremendously with depression. Good luck and please take care of yourself.
   — lizinPA

March 8, 2003
Sharon, depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are medications to help correct this, as well as therapy. Two years ago, I was severely depressed and had suicidal ideation. I got medication and therapy and made some very difficult changes in my life. I am now only mildly depressed, take medication daily and continue therapy. During all this time, I was (and still am) supermorbidly obese. My depression had nothing to do with my weight. It was only after treating the depression and getting my life together did I start thinking about WLS. If you are depressed, get help now. It can be treated.
   — Kasey

March 8, 2003
Unfortunately, looking good on the outside will not make you feel good on the inside. Your depression most likely comes from an imbalance in your brain. Your weight is just another "thing" to bring your down, but its not the cause of your depression. I, too thought I would be all better after surgery, but surprise, it's not. You'll learn that though you feel great about your changing body, those same feelings of dread are still there. The best thing you can do for yourself is get into some sort of therapy now and continue it throughout your weight loss. Some "losers" find that the attention causes them to feel awkward, hence wanting to hide. Therapy for them is just as important. I have found that my depression has worsened because I can no longer turn to food for comfort. There is a definite void there. I hope to find a therapist who is knowledgable about gastric bypass- I need it badly! You are on the right road, acknowledging your feelings now. Please get help- you deserve to feel whole. Best of luck!!...Karen (lap rny- 5 1/2 mons. post-op- down 115 pounds)
   — karmiausnic

March 9, 2003
Thanks for all the responses. I have been in therapy for years and now work closely with my pastor and am finally getting through some issues. I think when you are paying a counselor some are more interested in you coming back than getting better. My pastor has not financial gain. I have also been seeing a Psychiatrist for 5 years and have tried every med in the book....I gained 30 pounds thanks to Paxil. We have finally settled on Wellbutrin and Clonopen for anxiety. Thank you all for your answers and help! You do give me hope as I know that much of my depression is related to my self esteem.
   — Sharon B.

March 10, 2003
Sharon, I take that exact combination too. Klonipin and Wellbutrin. I've been on it for almost a year and this is the best I have ever felt. Life is good. My depression since I was about 10 (21 years ago) is for the most part gone. I feel good about losing weight but I am convinced that most of my depression is biochemical and I probably won't be able to go off the meds. The only other thing that really helps is exercise.
   — M. B.

Click Here to Return