Depression 10-12 days out???? Yup!

Hi everyone. I know that I haven't been on the boards lately, but i am still trying to get into a bit of a routine. One thing that everyone mentions is that you go through a depression period 10 to 12 after surgery, well today i am 10 days post op, and have hit that depression wall. I called my angel, Hope, on the phone to talk about it and explained to her that i am really missing my saturday routine in the Fall. For the most part, I would go to Burger King and get a chicken sandwhich with some fries along with a large iced tea and watch football all day. Well, today reality hit, I couldn't do that anymore and i guess it started my depression day. I honestly know that the results in the long run will certainly outweigh my urge today to relive the past, but it was just a hard day. Plus still being on a puree diet doesn't help either! After talking to Hope i did feel a little better, and then my best friend John called and he really made me laugh and i told him that i really needed that. I still have that urge, but I'm a little better tonight. I will be sitting down to watch the Notre Dame football game with a glass of water and a sugar free popsickle! I just had to get this off my chest, i apologize for "venting". Thanks everyone for listening! -Joe-

Hi Joe. Sorry you are in this depression mode. I feel that way from time to time, also. My life seems busy, but when I think about it too much I feel a great void as I am no longer doing my favorite thing -- eating or overeating! Puree was boring, but I've hit a snag where now I when trying to eat and that is depressing me too. However, today I realized that I feel better physically yet I don't get up and do enough. So everytime I decide I feel like I miss my ex-best friend, food -- I decide it is time to take a walk or jump on my ski machine for a routine. I need to replace that void with something positive. But the feelings you are having are real, don't feel bad expressing them. I'm actually looking forward to going back to work. Dianne

Joe, Sorry to hear you are in a bit of a funk. I'm only 3 days out, doing well and chipper. Still cheering on my friends, etc. I can tell how this could happen. Tonight, I wanted NOTHING to eat. I had only had 8 oz total of SF carnation instant breakfast with fortified milk & unjury (30 grams protein) & 14 0z of water. Hmmmm, too gassy to eat! Finally, at 8:45, I pureed some cream of chicken with my milk & some unjury, well, only 4 oz of this gave me 8 grams. I would think most of what we are going through is learning the 'game', figuring out how to get in the proteins, water and vits/supplements and to think, soon we will have to introduce fruits & veggies in a regular, healthy way. YIKES! I hope you pull yourself out of it, football season lasts too long! Take care and feel free to vent anytime you want! I think it may help to know you aren't alone in this. Take care! Valerie

Hey Joe, It is a funny feeling when that wall hits. You are going along doing fine, and then whump. Just make sure you keep up your end, plenty of protein, fluids, and walking, and you should drive through it in a couple of days. As far as watching Notre Dame football, that you must stop right away. What could be more depressing. Actually another way to lick that old habit. Go ahead and get the Burger King chicken sandwich, fries, and ice tea. Take it home and put it in a blender and you can watch that results all day. Hope you are doing better. Remember a positive attitude and sense of humor will help you more than anything in the next couple of days. Just look back and see how far you've come in the past two weeks. Rob

Rob - Too funny, I almost said the same thing, but it made my tummy turn over just THINKING about it! UGH! Don't EVEN go there, Joe! Valerie

Joe- I so glad to hear from you and I really appreciate and admire your honesty. Food has been our best friend for so long, that when you physically can't have it any more, you realize how much it was a part of your life. It also makes you realize how we as a society associates everything with food. I am sure most of us have gone through this depression stage and we have survived with the support of friends. I really like Dianne's suggestion of fullfilling that void with a positive. Thank God- you had the sense of picking of the phone and calling your angel. That is excately what angels are for. Try to stay busy, if for some reason the deppression doesn't subside, call your primary care doctor. I didn't have a deppression about the loss of the food, but a general depression. It is because you don't have the food to sedate you anymore and the seritoin levels are not being raised, because you can't high volumes of carbs. It is very common in post gastric patients. I am taking an anti-anxity, panic attack and depression medication because of this reason. It just takes the edge off. Please continue to talk about and if it continues go see your primary care. Best Wishes= Nicki

Hey Joe, I never put a time frame on when I might feel a little low. For me it is lonliness or just plain boredom. I just generally pick up the phone and call a friend or get on the computer and read posts and respond. I'm out of it that fast. Once you get clearance, you can start seriously exercising too. That gives me good feelings knowing that I'm getting healthy & fit. I have always been extremely positive and have to stay busy. That keeps me out of trouble. Thanks for sharing. Stay focused on being healthy and you'll do okay. ((HUGS)) Elissa

Hey Joe--I know this is a few days old, but I had to reply--because I feel the same way you do. Today is day 19 post op for me. My depression hit on Friday, and I've been feeling really low ever since. I want you to know you are not alone--and niether am I. The thing that keeps me going is that I kind of expected this to happen, and I know it will pass. So hang in there--I'll do the same. See you at the meeting on Tues?