EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWNS.......

Thanks for the response Jenn.  I have mourned the loss of food too.......and got over it too.  It all changes from day to day.  Skin tone? As far as color? or what? Well you are looking so good and keep up the good work okay.  Love ya and keep me posted on that luncheon thing.

Dana,

I would agree with the other comments in general. I imagine that your friend has experienced some difficulties, which to be honest are not uncommon. I also imagine that she's looking for some validation that this is normal and will pass. I think you can let her know that you appreciate her concern, but so far, so good ... You might also ask her how she's doing; I'll bet the floodgates will open.

Personally, I suffer from many years of severe clinical depression, but I have to say that my WLS journey has not had a negative impact on my depression at all. It was a significant concern to my healthcare team before and during this journey. I appreciate that, but I'm also so very glad that I haven't 'suffered' a lot of depression associated with the ramifactions of the WLS. I think, in part, it is due to taking a very proactive approach to this journey ...

I hope that your friend does well ... I already know that you are. Keep up the great work.

Hugs,

Barb

When you take a look in that mirror...  you just look at the beautiful woman staring back.  Emotional??  HECK YEAH!!  Its great to be so happy.  You are not strange nor are you to worry.  Everyone reacts to things differently.  Just smile and tell you "nope..no breakdown here".  

Thank you so very much. You are so sweet.   

Hey Barb, I would like to start by saying,  "You look FABULOUS!!"  You have came along way. I have asked her and she is so happy, happy, joy, joy.........  I was diagnosed with depression when I was 16 and nor has it had any negative impact on me  all thru this.  Thank GOD!! She is doing very well besides the breakdowns.  And thanks for the kind words Barb. 

I've read that many WLS patients have emotional issues.  Myself, the only real emotion I've felt is extreme JOY at finally being able to lose the excess weight that I've been dragging  around for the last 25 years.  I've even stopped taking the antidepressant that I was put on about 2 years ago.   Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!! 

AMAN SISTER ALICE!!!!!!!! 

I wouldn't call it a breakdown, but I've been emotional sometimes. My brain can't comprehend yet what my body looks like. I'll look at my after pictures and shack my head in disbelief because what I see in the mirror or what I see just sitting here isn't what I see in the pictures. I look and feel much bigger than I look in the pictures. It kind of scares me because I don't have control of my brain in a way. Like I see the color red, but everyone else is telling me it is blue. It can get kind of maddening if I dwell on it too much.   I've been told by many 'people, it just takes time for the brain to catch up. So in the meantime I tell myself to trust the pictures, trust my husband and trust others around me and try not to believe what my brain is telling me. It is very common for this to happen but not everyone goes through it. Maybe this is what your friend is going through?

HIJACK!

Hi Andi -

It's nice to meet you. It looks like we are both at about the same place in our respective journey's. I can absolutely relate to what you have said about not seeing what others are telling you that they see. I think we all have an identity that we associate ourselves with ... For many of us that identity is of a fat person; many of us have never been a 'normal' size as an adult, so I think it stands to reason that it will take time and effort to change our 'vision' of ourselves to match the new reality. I also think that we are newly 'normal' sized. While I have never had the pleasure of being this size as an adult, I got close a couple times only to wake up to the reality that the weight was back and then some. I think it also will take some time for us to come to terms with the overwhelming likelyhood that 'it will work this time.' That our new size is not a temporary and transient thing, but our new reality.

I also know that personally, I worry that I will be one of the bounce-back statistics that will gain all the weight back. To combat this, I'm getting and staying active in support groups ... those associated with my program and others, I'm staying active on OH, I've bought and have been using the "Beck Diet Solution" by Dr. Judith Beck which works on retooling your thinking, I log what I eat and my exercise ... These are all positive steps I'm taking now, that I never took before, so I hope that this lifechange will be permanent and I won't wake up fat again.

I wish you continued success in your journey and look forward to getting to know you better.

Warmest wishes,

Barb