Depressed and only 16 days Post-op
Is depression a "normal" response to what should be a life-changing and wonderful experience?
I'm still having some moderate pain (particularly in the spot where they inserted the camera during surgery), can't go swimming yet~~just a quick dip according to my doctor. Too hot outside to walk much (am trying to do 1/2 mile in the am before it gets beastly), haven't lost very much weight and have dumped and/or gotten icky feeling like i'm going to vomit at least 1/day for the last 8 days. And I can't seem to get much protein down because I'm getting sick of the HMR pudding.
I'm still having some moderate pain (particularly in the spot where they inserted the camera during surgery), can't go swimming yet~~just a quick dip according to my doctor. Too hot outside to walk much (am trying to do 1/2 mile in the am before it gets beastly), haven't lost very much weight and have dumped and/or gotten icky feeling like i'm going to vomit at least 1/day for the last 8 days. And I can't seem to get much protein down because I'm getting sick of the HMR pudding.
Hi there!
I'm sorry you are feeling depressed. It will get better, honest. Did you have RNY surgery?
Are you staying hydrated? 64 ozs a day? If not, you can get that sick feeling.
Have you looked at the stats on the HMR pudding? How much protein does it have? How much sugar does it have?
I use vanilla Body Fortress from Walmart and use it to make various protein shakes. You can make lots of varieties to keep from getting sick of it. Check out Pam Tremble's blog for a lot of shake recipes.
Hang in there.
Sandi
I'm sorry you are feeling depressed. It will get better, honest. Did you have RNY surgery?
Are you staying hydrated? 64 ozs a day? If not, you can get that sick feeling.
Have you looked at the stats on the HMR pudding? How much protein does it have? How much sugar does it have?
I use vanilla Body Fortress from Walmart and use it to make various protein shakes. You can make lots of varieties to keep from getting sick of it. Check out Pam Tremble's blog for a lot of shake recipes.
Hang in there.
Sandi
13.5 lb lost before surgery
In my opinion, it's a TOTALLY normal response. Most of it is chemical and biological. Your body is going through a major change, and sometimes things get "off". Were you on depression meds before surgery?
I'm not advocating go out and get meds, but if this feeling continues beyond a few weeks, or gets worse and you feel like something is really, really wrong, then call your PCP or your surgeon's office. I'll bet they have dealt with this before.
It didn't happen with my RNY, but with two subsequent surgeries my depression kicked in to high gear. It wasn't until I was getting enough sleep, fluids, and protein did I start to feel like myself again.
Here are a few things that worked for me:
I don't know what your doc has cleared you to eat......but, I couldn't stand the taste of anything after surgery. I mixed a scoop of vanilla protein powder with Dannon Light N Fit smoothie (just a little in a Dixie cup) and drank that down over 1/2 an hour. I did that three times a day, and then drank as much water as I could. Most of that was in the form of homemade icees and stuff. I promise it will get better. You just have to tough it out for the first two weeks or so and then you'll be able to eat a little more normally.
I can't stand being outside when it's hot. I crank my A/C and turn on "On Demand" (if you have cable) and put on a fitness video. The walking ones are not hard to do, and you are still at least moving a little bit.
My tiny incisions hurt too. But about day 11 I woke up, and all of the sudden they didn't hurt any more! So unless they are infected (keep an eye on that) you will have some relief soon.
All of the 'life changing wonderful things are great and I'm so skinny' moments are a little ways off. But they are ahead of you. Tell yourself that this pain in the ass stuff now is going to be just a memory soon. Try to look ahead to Christmas. By then, you will have changed clothes sizes. You will be used to eating normally (normally for you, anyway) and everyone will be commenting on how fabulous you look. You'll feel good. You'll walk a little easier. You will feel lighter and more confident. I promise!
Most of us have been through exactly what you are going through now. Some of us flourished and had an easy time, some of us *****ed and moaned and cried. But, we all made it through with the help of our OH friends.
Check back with us in one week. Let us know what is better and what isn't. Every week you will have more good days than bad. Keep your chin up!
I'm not advocating go out and get meds, but if this feeling continues beyond a few weeks, or gets worse and you feel like something is really, really wrong, then call your PCP or your surgeon's office. I'll bet they have dealt with this before.
It didn't happen with my RNY, but with two subsequent surgeries my depression kicked in to high gear. It wasn't until I was getting enough sleep, fluids, and protein did I start to feel like myself again.
Here are a few things that worked for me:
I don't know what your doc has cleared you to eat......but, I couldn't stand the taste of anything after surgery. I mixed a scoop of vanilla protein powder with Dannon Light N Fit smoothie (just a little in a Dixie cup) and drank that down over 1/2 an hour. I did that three times a day, and then drank as much water as I could. Most of that was in the form of homemade icees and stuff. I promise it will get better. You just have to tough it out for the first two weeks or so and then you'll be able to eat a little more normally.
I can't stand being outside when it's hot. I crank my A/C and turn on "On Demand" (if you have cable) and put on a fitness video. The walking ones are not hard to do, and you are still at least moving a little bit.
My tiny incisions hurt too. But about day 11 I woke up, and all of the sudden they didn't hurt any more! So unless they are infected (keep an eye on that) you will have some relief soon.
All of the 'life changing wonderful things are great and I'm so skinny' moments are a little ways off. But they are ahead of you. Tell yourself that this pain in the ass stuff now is going to be just a memory soon. Try to look ahead to Christmas. By then, you will have changed clothes sizes. You will be used to eating normally (normally for you, anyway) and everyone will be commenting on how fabulous you look. You'll feel good. You'll walk a little easier. You will feel lighter and more confident. I promise!
Most of us have been through exactly what you are going through now. Some of us flourished and had an easy time, some of us *****ed and moaned and cried. But, we all made it through with the help of our OH friends.
Check back with us in one week. Let us know what is better and what isn't. Every week you will have more good days than bad. Keep your chin up!
Thanks fo much for the quick response. I know you're both right and I'm just letting the heat and my minor aches and pains get the best of me. On a happier note. I was able to sleep on my side last night---yea! And Brenda.....thanks for the Christmas timeline. I like to pride myself on being patient and in some things I am...but in this case I wanted it all to happen yesterday. So Christmas puts things in perspective. I'll be in Phoenix with my sons and DIL's, grandkids and husband at Christmas and am planning on going on a family hike (it could be just in the historic neighborhoods or out in the desert) ---the first time in a very long time!
Your in the hibernation period....totally normal. Your body is in shock... it thinks it's starving and your not doing anything about it!
I remember being impatient with my weight loss too. I never thought I was loosing fast enough and I don't know anyone who did, again totally normal. You might want to put your weight loss on a graph. Fitday used to have a graph, not sure if they still do, but that was so fun to watch. Really opened my eyes to how much I had actually lost even if I didn't feel like I loosing, the graph reminded me that slowly but surely I was doing it.
As far as dumping, I doubt that's what your doing, icky feeling probably, dumping, doubt it. Dumping is usually triggered by to much sugar or fat. You will have a rapid heart beat, feel shaky, sweaty, nauseated....NOT FUN (if you are a diabetic and have ever had really low blood sugars, that's what dumping feels like to me). I've only truly dumped about 7 times in 2.5 years. If I eat to much or get something stuck I can feel nauseated and icky for about a 1/2 an hour but that's not dumping.
So take it easy, take care of yourself, get your water in, walk, walk, walk and rest when you need to. You'll get there.
Edie
I remember being impatient with my weight loss too. I never thought I was loosing fast enough and I don't know anyone who did, again totally normal. You might want to put your weight loss on a graph. Fitday used to have a graph, not sure if they still do, but that was so fun to watch. Really opened my eyes to how much I had actually lost even if I didn't feel like I loosing, the graph reminded me that slowly but surely I was doing it.
As far as dumping, I doubt that's what your doing, icky feeling probably, dumping, doubt it. Dumping is usually triggered by to much sugar or fat. You will have a rapid heart beat, feel shaky, sweaty, nauseated....NOT FUN (if you are a diabetic and have ever had really low blood sugars, that's what dumping feels like to me). I've only truly dumped about 7 times in 2.5 years. If I eat to much or get something stuck I can feel nauseated and icky for about a 1/2 an hour but that's not dumping.
So take it easy, take care of yourself, get your water in, walk, walk, walk and rest when you need to. You'll get there.
Edie
You don't have to have a lump to have breast cancer!
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
www.ibcresearch.org
My suggestion to that is, don't do anything while your eating....I swear the first few months (prob. ......ummmmm 4) every time I got that 'feeling' it was because I was watching TV, talking to my hubby, talking on the phone.... I did not eat in my work kitchen for 10 months. (I had a huge fear of getting sick in front of others).
What it came down to was NOT paying attention to what I was doing while I was eating. I will tell you at 2.5 years out I can 'cheat' a bit more, but you'll have to be a better chewer for life!
Edie
What it came down to was NOT paying attention to what I was doing while I was eating. I will tell you at 2.5 years out I can 'cheat' a bit more, but you'll have to be a better chewer for life!
Edie
You don't have to have a lump to have breast cancer!
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
www.ibcresearch.org
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