Severe Depression

I never thought I could feel this badly about this surgery. My scale hasn't moved in 9 days, I still have pain in my incision (5 1/2 weeks post op,****ep thinking that I am one of the WLS failures that you hear about and I've actually thought about giving up. I guess I'm over the slitting my wrists part but I'm getting so frustrated that I can't get any answers to my questions. I have to find a new doctor. Does anyone know if a bariatric surgeon will follow up with a patient that he didn't do the surgery on? My insurance said no problem. -Michelle

I dont know the answer to your question. DON"T give up. You will do fine. I'm a slow loser too. I haven't stepped on a scale since Feb 24th when I saw my DR. I try to stay away from the scale and let the clothes tell you if you are losing. I'm 7 weeks out. Are you drinking all your water? Drinking and eating protein? I know its hard. linda

Do not give up. I know exactly how you feel. I just posted b/c my scale has not moved. But like our fellow posties stated and my nutrionist stated, DRINK, DRINK, DRINK (it does make a diff). You have to eat, eat, eat PROTEIN (and eat often). Exercise use, but do the first two things first. It will happen. Just give your body time for the adjustment. YOU HAVE TO THINK STRONG. You have started a new journey and you can not think like the person you were. B/c everyday from the day you had the surgery you are becoming a new person. If you do not conform. You will be and continually feel stuck. Even if the scale is moving. Plateaus will happen, many post that say ,plateaus will happen. Give yourself time. The only thing overnight about this surgery, is the surgery itself. Everyday after is still a process. I dealt with depression soooo bad when my surgery was over. I despised the gift i had been given. I cried to the Lord, but he told me through a beautiful lady, that THIS TOO SHALL PASS. That gave me strength, to realize I did the right thing. That not only my mind had to make adjustments, but my body also. Sometimes we are truly at fault. Because we want the quick fix. We want something for nothing. But in the scheme of things. It is working and waiting. And you have to work at making your new life work, and you have to wait for your body to make the adjustment and wait for your body to show you the results that you desire. I encourage you to keep going and fighting. You will be fine. You will do fine, and you will look just as fine and gourgeous as you imagine. Do not spend time on negative attitudes. Start living. This is a rebirth. Remember, THIS TOO SHALL PASS. kim 302/260/165

Hi Michelle, I think Kim had some good advice for you, but in addition I would like to add if you suffer from depression, maybe you could ask for a anti-depressant. I think it is very common to become depressed after this surgery, especially if you were depressed beforehand. My open RNY was 1-27-04, and I also still have some discomfort around my incision. (if you did something strenuous you may have a hernia, and that would not be good) I am also a slow looser, but I am not very concerned, because it will come off in time. Remember, your body thinks it is starving, and it is holding on to the fatty reserve so to speak. Drink as much water as you can, and walk at least three times a week for at least 20 minutes. Please know there are so many people here that really care about you and how you are doing. Take care Michelle! Your friend, Lark

I know severe depression, it is frightening and lonely. I had a hard time with depression since the surgery, but I think a lot of it is related to how I feel. Today was the first day I could walk up the stairs without resting on the 3rd step. This 6 weeks has done little for my feelings of self worth, since I cannot function on my pre-surgery level I feel like a big downer. I cry a few times a day. I am hoping this will pass, aren't we all. I really cannot eat more the 2 tablespoons of anything, and everything makes me nauseous, even water. I'm going to see my doctor in an hour and request an endoscopy to make sure that both openings in and out of my new tummy are the correct size. I don't know how much I've lost, I avoid weighing myself I just want to be healthy, and learn to enjoy life without food. Good luck and this dark mood will pass. You don't have to feel lonely when you have all of us watching out for you. We love you and we care, its like we are sisters or something.

Hey there, Michelle - First of all, know that we're all pulling for you. For those of us who've been debilitated by depression, we understand how tough it is and how much time and energy it takes to move out of it. I became severely depressed at about my one month post-op anniversary - what helped me out of it? Time and my shrink. Time because every day does actually get better. And my shrink because I didn't get to meet with her for that first month and I have been able to since then. If the cost is a prohibitive factor, I'd suggest calling your local colleges and community centers to see if they have a student clinic - that's how I found my therapist originally, and they could go as low as $10/session. Sometimes it just really helps to talk to someone about all the feelings (especially since you're going through such a huge life change right now!). As for the weight - it'll come off. The pain - check with your new doctor. Don't be afraid to call all of the bariatric surgeons in your area to see if they will follow up on you - you deserve to work with someone who understands where you're coming from. I'm sure you'll find someone! You're in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes to you! -Frances

My surgery was 1-7-2004 and I am finally feeling good. You need to be patient. I would suggest to drink your protein. Find a protein drink that will work. I drank too much water in the beginning and couldn't eat enough protein. Make smoothies. Do whatever you need to do to get the protein in. You will feel physically better. Keep pushing for your new doctor! Good luck, Kristin

Hi, Michelle, I am about 2 1/2 months post op and my depression has gotten worse as the weeks have gone on. I have just started seeing a "shrink". I have battled with depression before surgery, and was hoping it was all because I was FAT. I am down 45 pounds and things are just worse now. I dont blame it on the surgery...dont really know whats going on. It has affected my current relationship to the point I am about to ask him to move out. Depression is a very scary thing to experience, and even though we know we have a lot of support, we do feel utterly alone. My scales dont move for 2 weeks at a time, then 5 pounds will be gone. I wouldnt let that be a reason for sinking further into depression, although I know that it doesnt take much for an attack to come on. If at any time you need to talk to someone feel free to email me! I think if you havent talked with a "shrink" before you might want to consider that. GOd Bless to you, and good luck with your future. THere is a bright ending to all of this, I just know that there is.~~~~Roxanne