Depressed - gaining weight!

Hello all. I have posted here several times and it seems that its always something bad when I do. I hope that I don't discourage too many folks out there! If I do, I'm sorry! Over the last 9 months, I have been on Seroquel, a pill to help me sleep; also prescribed for bipolar disorder; which I do have. The main side effect of this medicine is EATING. So, I have gained about 30 pounds since I was on this medicine but about a month ago, I asked to be taken off of it for this reason. However, I am STILL having trouble losing weight but I know its my fault. After months of eating (all night long literally!), I can't seem to stop the cycle of eating. I can eat and will eat anything I want, from breads to candy bars but I have cut out the candy; cut out the PEPSI's that I would have about 1 a month. I don't eat anything fried and I drink LOADS of water; and started to taking my vitamins again. Last year when I was diagnosed bipolar with severe depression, I dropped 35 pounds VERY quickly from not eating at all and down to 140. Before my surgery, I weighed 270, now I'm pushing 180 and I HATE IT. Right now, I'd love to be at 150 or even 145 but at a loss as to what to do. I'm going to end up getting depressed over my weight and I seem to have lost my will power and I know my stomach has stretched. I need to stop the cycle but I don't know what else to do. For instance, so far today, I have eaten a pork bbq stuffed potato (just about the WHOLE thing) and unsweet tea. I'm sure that I'll eat supper. The thing with my eating is that I can eat a full course meal without getting full. This is frustrating. I sort of wish I could go back to the 2 oz cup of liquid after surgery and let that be all I eat. It appears that gaining weight back is easy for me and I'm about at the end of my rope here! Anyway, I'll stop moaning about my weight. Just looking for some words of encouragement from people who are several years passed surgery and what you do to try and maintain your weight, or lose it which in my case is what I need to do. Thanks for listening! -Michelle

Michelle, I'm not several years out from my RNY but I did get into a similar place after my VBG surgery. The biggest mistake I made then was in not finding a nut/dietician to help me. My surgeon back then didn't have any formal aftercare program and we didn't have a long-term support group. Even if your insurance won't pay, if you can afford it or find a way to I'd highly recommend getting help from a nut. with experience in wls patients. You need someone besides yourself to be accountable to. Undoubtedly you have already read "Pouch Rules for Dummies" right? I'd go back and re-read it for the section on how the author (surgeon) helps a long-term postop who had regained. She goes on to lose weight under his care and by following the 'pouch rules'. I hope that nothing bad comes of your posting here, this place can be so supportive and helpful. Good luck and keep up your battle. Molly

Hi, Michelle! I feel for you and am glad that you are reaching out. It's a good sign that you want to commit to losing again. Just a bump in the road. Your pouch is probably working just fine. If you start lowering your intake gradually and use a food journal, things will go much smoother. I use SparkPeople and weigh my food to be accountable to myself and my Nutritionist. I agree with Molly about getting involved with a Bariatric Nutritionist. Call his / her office when you need advice or a pep-talk. The staff is usually very supportive and you'll get the answers that fit the Dr's guidelines. You've been going through a lot it seems. Accepting depression is tough. It is only one part of who you are so don't dispair. I am not far out in my WLS journey, but I know what it feels like to regain weight. Hope that this is helpful. Welcome again! Ro

Hi, Michelle! Have you checked out SparkPeople.com yet? It can become addictive, but hopefully in a good way. You don't have to follow the 1200-1500 calorie menu that is given. Simply choose to enter your own foods. I weigh mine so that the # are correct. I have gone overboard a bit on this (see my post below); anyway. It might give you a better idea of your intake and a few of us are already using it so we can do it as buddies! My current ranges are set as follows: Calories: 1000-1100 Carbs: 100-120 Fat: 25-50 Protein: 50-70 My next appointment will be on 10/9 and I will ask my Drs if these values are OK. As you do not get a "full" feeling, the food journal may help. Although my Calorie value is set at 1000-1100, I do not eat that much daily. If my Drs advise me to eat more, I will and I'll let you know. So stick around! P.S. I wish that the members who used to visit here would return. This could be a fun board. Why? Because we all need to laugh and we've already shared that we "have a problem" so we don't have to worry about being "found out". P.S. x 2 Hey, we could make this site a NO FLAME ZONE!

Hi Michelle, You are not discouraging anyone. I am thankful that you have a place that you can come to where you can speak freely about what you are experiencing. You are fighting a tough battle. You need to be on meds, but you gain weight. What about a different medication? I am not quite familiar with the biopolar medications yet, so I am not sure what options there are for you. It is possible that without medication you are basically medicating yourself with food to treat your disorder. Do you see a therapist of psychiatrist? If so, what is their take on this? I know this must be so frustrating for you. Your stomach may have stretched, but a website was shared with my dec family that you may want to look at. http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html Take a look at it and give it a try ok. Kind of give yourself a fresh start. You deserve this and you deserve to have the option to feel well emotionally, mentally, and still be the weight you want to be. I wish you the best and I look forward to hearing your progress. I hope you come by to post that too I want to share your successes as well as your struggles with you. Take care ~ Terisa

Hi! Love to have you back on the board! It's a bit LONELY here without you! Ro

Good Morning, Michelle! How have things been going? Any news? XOXOXO Ro