So many questions...

Can anyone answer any or all of these things that have me puzzled? Here goes... 1. I have not counted calories or exercised much since my first plastic surgery in October. I was eating a lot of carbs, but yet my weight stays around 140. Why haven't I gained more? I had days where I exercised a lot since October, but every time I get started I have to have another surgery and not exercise for four more weeks. 2. When I told my doctor that my eating was out of control she prescribed Wellbutrin, which is an antidepressant. I wasn't depressed before, but I am now. Could the Wellbrutin have caused depression? 3. I consume around 100 grams of protein per day, but my protein is still low on my labs (and has been on every lab since surgery). Could I just be genetically geared to require so much more protein than the average person? How weird is that? 4. My veins/arteries are really visable in my arms and legs. They look huge. Is this because of the exercise or the weight loss? Has this happened to you? Does anyone have an answer or opinion on these things? As you can see--I have way too much time on my hands to sit here and think of these things! Wanda

I wish I could help you Wanda. I have no clue why these things are going on. I do know that some anti-depressants can cause depression to worsen or to develop when you take them. I would bring that up with your doctor for sure, maybe there is something else that they can put you on. It will be interesting to see if anyone else has any answers for your other questions.. Best of luck to you... HUGS, Shawn M.

Randy warned me to not get started with an antidepressant that I didn't need. I think I should have listened!

Wanda, Well I can't answer most of your questions but the last one and it's not really an answer so much as a personal observation. I have noticed that me veins seems MUCH more visable then they were and yes, they seem big to me too. I think it's simply because they buried under layers of fat for so long that we didn't realize they were actually supposed to be visable. I know that before surgery they used to have to hunt for veins to take blood and now it's super simple for them to find one. Maybe you should go see a dietician regarding your protien and eating habits. They may be able to help. They might know if there are tests to see if you just don't absorb protien well or perhaps give you some different types of protien to try that tend to be absorbed better. My surgeon has partnered with a dietician so they are really familiar with WLS patients. You surgeon might have one too. Hope that helps a little. Corinna Q

Nobody I know has big visable veins like I do, so it must be the weight loss. I was really hoping that I could say it was from exercise! The people at the blood bank used to love me because I was such an easy stick and filled up the bag very quickly. They would have to use a garden hose on me now!

Well I have no insight on your first question at all. 2. I do have depression - when I tried Welbutrin it got worse - so if you had a mild case or something the Welbrutin could certainly be exsasserbating or causeing it. 3. Is the protein all from food? ... Vitalady (whom I think is great - possibly a little over the top on somethings) says that your body uses protein from shakes better because it is easier to absorb... essentially we don't have to digest it then absorb it because it is pre digested. She does three shakes a day on top of any protein she eats. I know my doctor suggest supplementing protein the entire time. The other thing is that your body needs protein to recover from the surgeries so maybe you are just using it as fast as you take it in. 4. I don't work out as much as you and my veins are huge!! I have nothing to do with the medical field and I could probably start an IV on me. They are just popping out every where. So it doesn't answer your question but you know you aren't alone! Trudy

I'm afraid the Wellbutrin is messing with my brain checmicals. I've always been blessed with a nice sense of well-being. I would hate to lose that. I think it's possible that the Wellbutrin is helping me control my eating better. I just don't know what to do with that. I've been having weird anxiety-filled dreams too. Geesh. I'm not sure that it's worth it. My protein is from a combination of supplements and food. I make a double Whey Gourmet to drink on my way to work each morning. Thats 46 grams of protein. I eat tuna, chicken, fish, etc. I'm finally tracking my food again (as of yesterday) and watching carbs. I only had 19 carbs yesterday! Now that may change if I start working out again this week. I tend to need my carbs then. Why do I still make this so hard? I drive myself crazy with trying to find the perfect plan.

Our veins may have bigger because they needed to supply more blood. So maybe the will get smaller the longer we are smaller. I have no idea - I'm just making this stuff up.

I hope you are right! We are going to look funny as old people with "garden hose" veins!

Hi Wanda, Well I can tell you that I too have "garden hoses" for veins, I just thought that because I am a female stick weldor and having to lift steel parts that, that is the reason why my hands and arms look like a man's in the same line of work. But they have gotten worse since surgery. But the lab people LOVE me when they know they have to take my blood. I dont like it but it is an easy price to pay to get some of this poundage off of me. I feel great and dont look to bad either, at least my sweetie says so, so just this once I will believe him, lol. I still take my anti-depression drugs, but seem to get better everyday, I am off of alot of them, I just take long fast walks when I feel an anxiety attack coming on, I would NOT wish one of these attacks on my worse enemy (if I had one) They are NO FUN, besides scaring the poop right out of me. I wish you well in trying to figure out if it is your med's that is causing you to have your bad dreams. I two drink lots of protein drinks just in case I dont get enough from the food that I eat.