***POST OP Depression and psychological distress

[Guest guest]

Depression and psychological distress

Consider how deeply intertwined food is with many American social

functions ranging from weddings to funerals to just " going out. "

People who undergo bariatric surgery do not function " normally " in

these food-oriented situations - they are not able to occupy

themselves with food and must learn new ways to occupy themselves

socially. Not only do patients face the stress of

choosing/implementing new life patterns, they may also mourn the

loss of the relationship they had with food. Some patients are

addicted to food, and they may be at risk for trading one type of

addition for another such as alcohol or gambling when the food

addiction can't be satisfied. Some morbidly obese patients have

been subject to sexual abuse as children, and the fat serves them as

a protective barrier from others.

If any of this issues rings a bell with you, it is definitely in

everyone's interest to get your particular issues addressed before

taking the leap into WLS.