Mental Health and Wellness

What do we mean by trauma?

We often think of trauma as a specific event, but in fact, trauma has a much broader definition. Trauma stems from a life-threatening or physically or emotionally harmful event or set of circumstances that has lasting effects on a person’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being. In the United States, 61% of men and 51% of women report exposure to at least one lifetime traumatic event.

Why is recognizing trauma important?

If you have had any type of trauma in your past that may be affecting your current behavior, it can help to talk to a professional. Trauma, whether experienced in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, can impact the success of surgery and reduce the likelihood of long-term weight loss.

Professionals can help you get past events or learn to cope so you can have long-term success and happiness after surgery.

There are many resources at Kaiser Permanente and elsewhere that can support you and help you get back on track. You are not alone.

People who have had surgery are at increased risk for addiction transfer (also called cross addiction). This means trading one compulsive behavior for another one. Addiction can take many forms, such as alcohol, opioids or other pain management medications, and other substances or behaviors. It’s important to understand the risk factors and signs and symptoms of addiction and know how to get help.

Factors that increase the risk for addiction transfer:

• History of eating disorders, food addiction, or compulsive eating
• Family history of substance abuse
• Regular alcohol use before surgery
• History of chronic pain or overuse of narcotics for pain management
• History of trauma, especially childhood sexual abuse
• History of depression and other mood or anxiety disorders
• Lack of adequate support or feeling isolated
• Avoidance of emotions and experiences
• History of engaging in self-sabotaging behaviors (binge eating)

Signs and symptoms of addiction may include:

• Needing more of the substance or behavior to get the same effect
• Doing a behavior or using a substance longer or in higher amounts than planned
• Not being able to cut down, even when you want to
• An increase in negative consequences caused by the use or behavior (issues with self, family, friends, work, and/or legal problems)
• Others have suggested that you stop or cut down
• An increase in hiding or covering up the behavior or use
• An increase in feelings of guilt and shame
• Craving or having a strong desire or urge for the substance or behavior
• Withdrawing from important social, job-related, or recreational activities because of substance use

A Special Note on Alcohol

After surgery, the way the body tolerates alcohol changes for many reasons.

Alcohol is not recommended after surgery. It’s important to get help if you’re struggling with any substance abuse before or after surgery. Learn more about resources to support your health at Kaiser Permanente.

There are many resources at Kaiser Permanente and elsewhere that can support you and help you get back on track. You are not alone.

Learn more about cross addiction and bariatric surgery:

• English PDF
• Spanish PDF

How common is depression after surgery?

Most people who have surgery will not become clinically depressed. About one-third of patients do report some minor symptoms of depression, which we call “post-op blues” (like “baby blues” after giving birth). Post-op blues often happen in the first few weeks or months after surgery when you are still recovering and adjusting to a new way of life. You may ask yourself:

• Why did I do this?
• What was I thinking?

This is not depression, and it’s normal to feel this way. It usually goes away within a couple of months.

Depression can range from very mild to severe. It’s important to be able to recognize symptoms and ask for help if needed, both before and after surgery.

If post-op blues don’t go away or get worse, you may be having symptoms of underlying depression. If you have the following symptoms, it’s important to know that you can get support. Depression is very treatable.

Symptoms of depression:

If you are currently on depression medications, it’s also important to let your doctor know. Your doctor may need to adjust your medications after surgery depending on the dosage.

There are many resources at Kaiser Permanente and elsewhere that can support you and help you get back on track. You are not alone.

Having surgery does not address underlying contributors to disordered eating, which may continue to get in the way of your weight loss efforts after surgery. Therefore, it’s important to recognize symptoms of disordered eating or an eating disorder because it can have serious complications, especially when paired with surgery.

Learn more at about eating disorders at kp.org or nationaleatingdisorders.org

Recovery is possible, and help is available! Talking to a professional can help. There are many resources at Kaiser Permanente and elsewhere that can support you and help you get back on track. You are not alone.