depressed

I feel so depress today, I can't pinpoint why. I had wls on 2/22 when I look in the mirror i see the same person I was before wls. Although I've lost 32 lbs so far I feel like such a failure. It is hard to see other people succeed and I feel that i have failed. i swim everyday, eat 600 to 800 calories a day what is the problem? I know the weight did not come on overnight and my husband tells me all the time that I am inpatient but i just feel lost and depressed . I just need to vent june

June, Good job venting, and something that is just what we need to do. We know that often some depression in the first couple of months is normal - we have made a huge life altering decision that is bound to trigger some unease at times. I want to encourage you because I too am struggling with a little sense of failure. I had surgery on 2/27, just few days after you, and I've lost 23 pounds. Even as I write that it is very hard for me not to put "ONLY" in front of it. So many, it seems like everyone else to me, have had greater losses. I know that we all lose differently and am trying to think of the positive aspects of a slower loss - less skin sagging, healthier hair, etc - but I don't see huge changes in the mirror either. So, what I'm trying to do is concentrate on the positives - each week I lose something (better than before surgery), I put some clothes away because they are baggy, some clothes that just didn't "quite" fit I can now wear, and I'm exercising and eating my protein daily. This is just the beginning.....I hope....and because I'm doing my part - I'm NOT A FAILURE!!!! and neither are YOU!! However....vent whenever you feel like - then shake it off and do something nice for yourself! Julie

June, Nothing wrong with venting...as you can tell from my "I hate the scale" vent Sometimes you just have to get it off your chest. Now that we've vented, we have to come on back down to earth I've been told that we will run the gambit of emotions because of all the changes our bodies are going through. And from what I've experienced so far...they're right!!! When you're out shopping for groceries, star putting packs of ground beef in your cart until it reaches 32 lbs...thats a lot of beef!!! Well Sista, you've lost that much FAT!!! 32lbs that you'll never have to carry around again. So June lets you and me celebrate those 30 plus lbs we've loss...and thank God we're not where we use to be. We'll keep doing what we're suppose to do...and the rest will take care of itself. You know June, swimming is one of the best all around exercises for you're body...you're on the right track. Keep up the good work!!! Hugs and Tonya

Tonya and Julie, I want to thank both of you.. You are right and we need to celebrate what we have lost so far. my emothins are running strong today and i need to move on. You must admit that it is hard to not worry about the slow weight lost. My doctor never talked to me about this and it is hard but i must move on and get out of this depression. ladies we must be strong and thank you for the kind words june

I am so happy to have found this site... There are so many times when I just wanna sit down and cry. Hell there have been times when I have sat down and cried ! The changes that we all go thru will con't for a long time. Emotionally, physically & mentally everything is going to be different than it was before WLS. Everyday find one thing to hang your happiness on. One thing that can make you smile or that you see as an improvement. Something that is so small and silly to someone else can mean the world to you ! Heck, I am gonna start a daily list and I wanna hear from everyone ! Nothing is too small or too simple and I am gonna expect to hear from all of you ! Vent when you need to, be thankful to have this forum to vent in and know that there are others out there who share how you feel, and are ready to support you ! (Don't forget I wanna see everyone on the list !!)

Terri, What an awesome idea!!! This will help so many of us keep things in perspective. I know one thing...this idea is something to hang a smile on. A Big Loving THANKS!!! Tonya

June, I had WLS on 2/17, just before yours and I have only lost about 35 pounds, wait.... did I say ONLY?!? Let's look at the positive side of this. 32 or 35 pounds is probably more than either of us have lost at one time. Celebrate those 32 pounds gone forever. I know how you feels but I think you and I are doing great. As far as self image goes, sometimes it takes more than weight loss to see ourselves in the right light. Do you have a support group or a counselor at the surgeon's office you can talk to? I think it might help. Sometimes you just have a bad day too, so maybe tomorrow you'll feel much better and see yourself in a whole new light. I think you are following a good program and the weight IS coming off, I think at a good pace, so cheer up and smile. Roni

June, I know how you feel. I have lost 28 lbs since my surgery on 2/20. I thought something was wrong with me also. We wont fail. My nurse said I am right on track. Dont get depressed. It will happen for all of us Hugs Denise

June, that is the beauty of this board. We can come on here, vent or whatever. And you know what.... there is always someone who is going thru the exact same thing we are. We are not alone in this journey. I tend to get discouraged, too. I have lost 36 lbs since 2/20. That is 18 lbs a month avg. I don't remember the last time I lost 18 lbs, let alone in a month. So put things in perspective and keep on keeping on. We will not all lose at the same rate. Our weights are different, our metabolisms are different and our environments are different. They all play a part. But you are June, and nobody but you can be her. Celebrate that!! You are beautiful! Besides.... don't put much stock in that reflection in the mirror. It takes our brain a while to catch up with our weight loss. Make sure you are getting in your water, too. That is essential. Patricia