Things I Learned at the Psych Appt.

Yesterday was such a good appointment and I wanted to share a few key points that I took home with me. They may hel*****t, but even if you've heard it all before, it may be good just to hear it again. I know alot of things were like  to me, but maybe it's because of where I'm at on my journey. Here it goes: 1. If you're taking any herbal supplements, make sure you inform your surgeon or doctor. This can affect blood clotting. 2. If you're on depression meds, they may need to be changed after 2 - 5 years as your body can build up a resistance. 3. The chance of getting Multiple Myloma (a type of cancer) and Breast Cancer may be drastically reduced by weight loss and therefore insurance companies support your attempt at losing weight if these are in your family history. A good tip if you have to submit an appeal. 4. If after WLS, you have lost 30 pounds or more and say "I have lost this weight but I don't feel any different", then it is your depression setting in and your meds likely need to be increased or changed. Physically you are better, so you and your support person need to be aware of this. 5.  If you are on Paxil, this stimulates hunger in most patients and therefore you should talk to your surgeon or doctor about looking at other alternatives so you do not have this hunger stimulation after surgery as you are prone to obesity.

6. Your spouse is better to ask you questions than not. Make sure you appreciate this. 7. Nicotine can prevent your body from healing and absorbing B12. If you are a smoker, please realize the negative effect this is having on your body and work towards a solution for your health. 8. Walking. It is good for bone density, your mood, and cardiovascular system. Do not look at like "I have to do this to lose weight" because truthfully it only maintains weight loss. Look at it for health reasons and you are more likely to do it. 9. Scale weight will be higher due to bone density and large organs (based on the amount of time you have been overweight/obese). Therefore, you should go by how your clothes and you feel, not by the number on the scale. 10.  Choose to live!

Wow..Thanks DG for sharing the encouraging and learning thoughts you got. They will help all of us. Even though I have lost 25 lbs sometimes I feel like I have lost anything. It lit the light for me! Brea

good info! Thanks for passing along!!!

WOW--what awesome tidbits of knowledge! My doc just changed me from Celebrex to Cymbalta because even though I didn't recognize it until it was too late,  the unfortunate situation at placement was due to classic depression.  Hopefully this new medication will kick in by the time I get a new placement.  (Don't have one yet. :-( Thanks Amy--You're a dear! **SUE**

Thanks for sharing!   Even if we have heard it, its always a good reminder!

Herbal Supplements can cause irregular heart rates or if your like me you can have allergies with some of them.

Prozac can also cause hunger - but it also can help it. Hope that clears things up for you!

Great things for all of us to hear - thanks for posting Amy!