question about depression

I am scehduled for a TVH on 3-10-04 and have been through bouts of depression off and on through out the past several years. I have been on meds for it, but at the moment I am not. It seems to come and go, depending on what is going on in my life. For the past year or so, I blamed it on my hormone imbalance, and all the problems Ive had, that have worsened over the past year or so, but Im now wondering how I will be after the surgery. I am keeping my ovaries, atleast one of them, but I keep thinking my God, what am I going to be like after all this, will my depression get worse, or what? anyone have any input on this?

I have had problems with depression over the years too. Here's my experience with depression after hyst. I had postpartum depression after the birth of my dd, but nothing after ds. I felt different with postpartum depression rather than "real" depression, like there was another part of me looking at the depressed part of me and "knowing" I was really ok. I remember holding my dd, feeling happy, and crying my eyes out. The happy part of me "knew" things would be ok and it was ok to even be crying. The depression after the hyst was like that.

Even with keeping an ovary, many women do experience menopause symptoms, including depression. Maybe you won't experience any menopause symptoms, but it is better to be prepared.

I'm two and a half months postop and pretty much feel back to normal. Good luck!

Missy,
Depression IS a hormone imbalance. Some people, myself included, do not produce enough seratonin to keep up when stress or trauma hits. This is why it is best to stay on meds when depression reappears often.
Anti-depressants are not habit forming. Most of them do nothing if you don't have a seratonin imbalance. Those of us who suffer from this disorder seem to feel like we should be able to pull up our bootstraps and move on like everyone else. However, we wouldn't expect a diabetic or someone with hypertension to "will" themselves better. It usually doesn't work that way.
Your depression may get better after your surgery because you will begin to feel better all over. But if you do not begin to feel the depression lessen, talk to your Doctor about medication for a time.
I personally just keep taking my meds. I take Wellbutrin which has very few side effects.
If you need to vent or talk, just let me know. I am a good listener.