Anyone Depressed?

Hi Friends, I don't know what is going on with me. I am normally a happy-go-lucky person and lately I am so depressed. I go to bed at 7pm because I am so tired by that time. I have a wonderful husband, 4 beautiful healthy children and 9 1/2 beautiful and healthy grandchildren. I have lost 75 pounds and I even bought new clothes that fit so I am getting compliments here at work like crazy. AM I NUTS?????? I have everything to be happy about and yet I am depressed. Have any of you gone through this depression period and will it pass?? HELP! Hugs, Esther

Yes, i know what you mean.....the "honeymoon Period" is over. Are you taking B12? I have read some post from post ops about B12 and your mood. It has got to get better. I attributed mine to the stones.....but I think I am just in a funk. Must be a phase we go through! Hugs to you! Donna

Thank you Donna, I take vitamin B12 everyday and get a vitamin B12 shot on the 15th of every month. I guess the Honeymoon is over. I read that there is a period of depression because we are so excited about preparing for the surgery and then the after surgery doctor's visits and resting period and now we are in the real world again so hopefully it will pass. Thank you for your help. Hugs, Esther

Esther, I'm sorry you're feeling low. Are you getting enough protein to keep your energy level up? Hang in there! Hugs, Sue

Someone at support group was asking me if I'd hit the "four month funk" yet. From what she said she got into a depression/funk around four months. It seemed to be a pretty good concensus from the group that around 4-6 months you hit this depression period that doesn't last very long. It's just another of the "delightful" changes our hormones sends us through. Make sure you're getting all your vitamins in. Things will get better Esther. Just hang in there!!! * Cyndi *

You are so sweet Cyndi, Thanks for the information.....that gives me hope that I will be back to normal again someday. If others have been through it, then I know it is normal and I am not just losing it. Thanks for always being there through all these ups and downs. Hugs, Esther

Hi Sue, My son who is a doctor told me that I should be drinking at least 4 protein shakes a day as well as eating and I only drink 2 a day so I am going to try and drink 4 shakes a day and see if that helps. Hugs, Esther

Well I am right there along with you. Want everyone to go away and to let me go to bed and pull the covers over my head!!!! I hope it paases quickly.....

Holly, I want this to pass quickly too. I just want to be alone and lay in bed. I cry easy and don't know why. I think everyone goes through it in the 3rd or 4th month after surgery. At least we are not alone. Hugs, Esther

Hi there Esther, Sorry to hear you are having the blues. In addition to all the physical changes your body is going through, I wanted to put my two cents worth in about the emotional changes. We all tend to form fairly rigid patterns of behavior and resist changes in routines. Over years of being obese the world interacts with us in certain ways that we become familiar with and we develop certain behaviors that we can count on to produce expected results. We tend to make friendships based on this and those that reinforce our favored patterns become the strongest bonds. But now we are changing the outward trait that is most obvious to the world. Just as we become used to responding to others from inside an obese body, others behavior toward us is shaped in part by our bodies and when that changes, so too does the behavior others present to us. The upshot is that patterns we used to use in certain situations do not necessarily work anymore and the disconnect makes us uncomfortable and anxious. In fact, we may find ourselves presented with completely new situations that we are unprepared for and this can be amusing (like me getting compared to Freddie Mercury of Queen) or downright scary (like when people expect your skills and abilities to multiply ten-fold because they are no longer mentally handicapping you). The effect can be as life-changing as having to relearn to walk or speak after an accident only it's very subtle and can creep up on you. The problem gets worse when we adapt by trying to "act like a skinny person" rather than change our coping behaviors from within. Because if it's acting then it's not the real you and everyone, including you, will see through it. So if it's physiological, then by all means bump up the water, protein, check your supplements and maybe get a blood panel done. If you rule out that then maybe it's psychological and for that you will need to lean on good friends and possibly seek professional help. But know that it's certainly something which can be overcome. Personally I treat it like a roller coaster...you have to make a conscious decision to suspend your fear and just enjoy the ride. You don't relearn the behaviors without interaction of other people, especially those you have known the longest and have the tightest bonds. Good luck and let us know how it's going in a few days or so. -- T.Rob