When facing surgery people know to prepare for the physical and financial toll it will take on them, but rarely do we think about the emotional toll. Generally speaking, the goal of any type of bariatric surgery is to restrict calories and make the patient feel full by reducing or limiting parts of the intestine or stomach with the end goal of losing and keeping off excess weight. While there are many huge benefits of weight loss and calorie restriction, one must watch their vitamin intake as well as any emotional or personality changes that they or their loved ones notice.
The result of all bariatric surgeries, weight loss, can cause a host of mood and emotional changes due to fluctuating hormones as a result of sugar and nutrient intake being obstructed and insulin production being influenced. Losing weight is not the cure-all to all problems you face while obese, but by watching how your body and mind react, and identifying the underlying causes to your problems post-surgery, weight loss can be a huge tool in becoming a happier, healthier person.
Personality changes in bariatric surgery patients are sometimes inevitable, but not impossible to overcome.
Negative Personality Changes
Many pre- and post-surgery diet protocols call for either extremely restricting or completely eliminating carbohydrates. The surgery itself can alter the absorption of nutrients, and a diet that is devoid of carbs, insufficient in nutrients, or both at once can change serotonin levels as well as neurotransmitter activity. Insulin is released after carbs are eaten that indirectly allows more serotonin to be made. Insulin changes the levels of amino acids that are necessary for a healthy amount of serotonin to enter the brain. When these functions are compromised our mood is altered and we can develop depression and anxiety disorders.
nice blog on Bariatric Surgery
Thank you for this article! Please keep them coming, they are very valuable to me as a bariatric patient and while I delete almost everything else – I read your articles!
I had Gastric bypass surgery in October and to this date I’ve only lost 25 pounds. I need help. I thought I was doing things right but the weight isn’t coming off. Please help me
I had RNY 9/23/19, and have been having many mood swings. I have a very short fuse these days. I don’t think my anxiety meds are even working at this point. I’m glad there is a reason for this because I honestly was regretting the surgery due to being miserable all the time.
After gastric sleeve.. I became an alcoholic.. with alot emotional issues.. idk wth happened to me.
Anyone else?
no one told me or talks about the emotional feelings you have after surgery.. it caught me totally off guard. i had severe anxiety and terrible feelings wishing i never got it done where before the surgery it was like my dream come true. im just saying that this should be told to all patients before surgery so they know what to expect.