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Gastric Bypass and Depression? Depression is one of those little things that no one likes to talk about with others. Sadly, it can be a real problem with those who undergo gastric bypass surgery.
Gastric Bypass Surgery and Depression
Numerous studies are showing us how gastric bypass surgeries have improved the lives of those who suffer morbid or severe obesity; I am one of those. Patients who have undergone the procedure were able to lose about 50 to 60 percent of their weight within a year after surgery. Some would even report an astounding 80 percent weight loss after two years. It depends on so many things, like how much excess weight they carried, how they followed the post-surgery plan, and how they created a new active lifestyle.
The other side of the gastric surgery coin
About 140,000 gastric bypass surgeries are conducted every year. Even obese teens could also undergo the medical procedure as long as they are within the guidelines set. Those who are qualified to undertake the surgery should at least be 100 pounds overweight and failed to reduce weight in the last six months through monitored weight loss programs. But every coin has two sides. Gastric bypass surgery also has its downside.
Some patients would often report depression after the gastric bypass operation. Some of the patients would often pinpoint the procedure itself as depressing, while others think that it is the low-calorie diets that triggered this depression. Gastric bypass patients are recommended to follow a special diet that would ensure them the best and sustained results. This special diet is about low-calorie, low-sugar, and low-fat foods.
This can be serious, deadly serious
The Thinner Times website stated that about 5 to 10 percent of deaths occurred to patients after the gastric bypass surgery. This happens just within a month or two since the procedure, and the primary cause would be psychological challenges. To address this, experts recommend that adequate supplies of calories should be ingested daily.
Studies are showing that those who suffer depression and anxiety after gastric bypass surgery are less likely to lose weight compared with mentally healthy people. There are many methods on how doctors and experts would know if their patients are mentally prepared for the surgery. There are medical centers that would employ or require their patients to undergo rigorous mental health evaluation.
Good surgeons make sure they test their patients
A patient candidate for weight loss surgery is to undergo a psychological evaluation to ensure that they are prepared mentally for the operation and the lifestyle changes that will follow after the surgery. If a person is found out to be suffering from depression before the surgery, they will not be automatically disqualified. Those who have a history of drug and alcohol abuse are the ones who are excluded.
The program, through the University of Wisconsin Hospitals, has a rigorous psych evaluation and monitoring protocol built-in. It started with a multiple page questionnaire and several face to face meetings. They also cover a lot of information in the pre-surgery classes that are required to take. It is nice to know that they were looking for any hidden triggers for our safety. It is no wonder that they are one of the top accredited weight loss surgery programs in the country.
It might just be a No, Not Now..
Some medical centers would require patients with depression to go through treatment before gastric bypass surgery. Treatment could include the taking of antidepressants, psychotherapy, and help from their family, friends, and support groups.
It is not uncommon to find weight loss surgery candidates to suffer from depression since they would have to deal with being ostracized because of their weight. Candidates for weight loss surgery would frequently suffer from a history of depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress, or panic/anxiety attacks.
Everything is better with friends
Having mental health problems are not preventing people from getting the treatment that they need to improve their lives and their health. Just like in any other surgery, it is essential to gain support from friends and family to recover well and to get the desired results. Gastric bypass surgery would require a lot of change in lifestyle, it could be difficult, but having loved ones will help a patient get through with it.
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