IM LOSING TO MUCH WEIGHT VERY DEPRESSED HELP

flyguymia
on 3/25/07 1:06 am
Dear Bariatric freinds please help.i had wls surgery last feb 2006(13 MONTHS POST OP) and was happy with the results just till recently. my original weight was 269 and my goal was to get to 155.i am 5 ft 7 small frame guy.my weight now is 140 which is way to LOW .people are saying i look sickly,anorexic,i have a gaunt look and on and on and im getting so depressed heAring all this.i am avoiding family, ,freinds, because of this. My DR WAS DR DIAZ AT MT SANAI which unfortunately left practice since his contract was not renewed because of low patient volume.i  was left out in the cold after 6 months of post op.i do see my PCP and have been faithfully getting all my blood work, b12 shots monthly ,taking my vitamins and my isopure protein drinks,and  eating normal but i keep on losing and im scared. i can consume maybe 2000 calories A DAY max with about 80 grams of protien daily,and about 60-80 grams of fat.Are these amounts way to low.Like i mentioned b4 since my Doctor left practice i havent seen him or the nutrionist for 6 months.The NEW Doctor (DR DE LA CRUZ) is still not taking my insurance UHC so i havent been able to go to him for my yearly follow up since it would be on a cash basis only and at this point i cant really afford it.will my body stabilize soon and Know when to stop losing weight.Does anyone know of a supplement i can take to gain back some weight.i stoped over at the GNC and there a mega products that claim to gain weight but they all contain high grams of sugar and i cant take them because of the dumping syndrome. if anyone can please give me some feedback on this issue,AND WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING i would surely appreciate it.thanks for reading and i hope to get some responses, ALEX
Beam me up Scottie
on 3/25/07 2:53 am
I'd highly suggest that you contact your insurance company and find a bariatric surgeon who can do your follow up care.  A PCP, while good, usually just doesn't have enough experience to handle these types of situations.  At a year out from a RNY, you should pretty much be at the end of your weight loss window (RNY's window goes from 12 to 15 months), but it might be necessary for you to go on some type of digestive enzyme (like Creon****il your body naturally levels out.   If you have an issue with dumping, i would suggest you do not try those weight gain forumulas they are all sugar.   I hope that you can find the care that you need.  Scott
flyguymia
on 3/25/07 3:44 am
thanks Scott i will do that.i have an appt with a gastro tommorow and will see what he says ,i will contact my insurance company to find another bariatric surgeon thanks again for ur help alex
wjoegreen
on 3/25/07 2:54 am - Colonial Heights, VA
Flyguy, I haven't ben there personaly but have a friend that set me straight on protein that was there and we have our CarbonBlob, Fred, that has been there, hopefully he'll respond for you too if he sees this post. The solution was double the protein intake (and reduce dependance on the shakes) and you might consider using cratine and glutimine suplement for muscle mass development.  Apprantly the protein intake can be an real issue as many build a dependence on shakes instead or relearning the eat solid food and the body will actually reject the solid food if it expects it wil get the liquid version.  To defense this before it becomes an issue as it did for my local friend, I am using liquid protein as a supplement with my vitamins and eating 4-6 protein bars at 20 gms each per day, in addition to whater beans, fish, almonds, cheddar cheese, and eggs I can get in.  I don't overeat so as to avoid stretching the pouch and I have to pay attention to not developing the grazing habit (eating all day).  I have three meals and in between snacks with the focus on my water/liquid intake and protein (usaully bars for the chewing). My local frind did the same you are experiencing.  I think he actually was at 140 also and he is 6 foot.  This worked for him as he put on and is now stable at 170-180 and content but he emphasized to me you have to eat, and you have to get your protein and supplements. Good luck and hope this helps. Joe
flyguymia
on 3/25/07 3:42 am
THANKS JOE i will start eating more protein bars, and less dependent on the  shakes.you answered alot of my concerns and feel alot better thanks again Alex
sjbob
on 3/25/07 4:14 am - Willingboro, NJ
This is a rare time where I suggest that you post on the Main Board only because more people will read your post and you may be able to go get a realistically positive response.
Dx E
on 3/25/07 5:27 am - Northern, MS

Alex, Your case is rare, but there are a few guys here who’ve had similar, and pulled through it just fine. If dumping on too high of a sugar content, try adding fats to your intake as well as complex carbs. Less shakes, more food, Nuts, grains oatmeal with protein powder in it. In most cases of "Too Much" weight loss, there is typically some behavioral element at play. (Just going from the statistics.) Do you have any "Food Aversions?" "Food Fears?" Do you find your dietary intake to be rather limited? Or "Mostly" just eating a few types of things? Those are usually symptoms that accompany "Too Much Loss." The isolation and depression and angst you are describing Sounds like you could be experiencing some serious depression Which for many, also compounds "loss of appetite" and weight loss. No matter what, I’d recommend seeing a Psyche-doc and getting an anti-depressant Or anti-anxiety med to at least Feel good while fighting this problem. Yes? Don’t let the stigma of seeing a "shrink" get in the way of getting better. How you feel, is a result of brain chemistry. After a while of feeling ‘down,’ brain chemistry gets stuck at those neurotransmitter levels And without chemical intervention, it’d take a "life-changing catharsis" in order to start feeling better. Do hook up with a Bariatric Doc as soon as possible. Realistically track your intake for a week. Look at the percentages rather than Just the Calories. Shoot for 35% Fats, 30% Protein, and 35% Complex Carbs. If your diet intake is for example- 70% protein/15% Carbs/15% Fats Then you aren’t getting in enough Carbs to adequately utilize the protein and so much of it is not being used by your body. If "Pouch Capacity" is your problem, 6 smaller meals maybe the answer. I’ve been eating 5 to 6 meals a day for the past 3 ½ years. Maintenance of Normal BMI has been fairly easy with that. The pouch is usually empty and able to accept more food within 2 hours after eating. Keep in touch and drop us a line about the solution your doc finds. That’ll be useful to pass on to someone in the future who may hit the same bump in the road. Hope you turn the corner on this soon! Best Wishes- Dx

flyguymia
on 3/25/07 5:48 am
DX thanks i think you hit the nail ,i havent been getting enough carbs or fats i have been mostly concentrating on my calories and protein shakes.i have no prob with the pouch because i can hold down anything i do i eat. i just started seeing a pschy last week who put me on a mild anti depressent.i have faith it will all work out.i just have to learn how to eat right and what.im going to go to a nutrionist as well,thanks for your kind words of wisdom and will be in touch ALEX
(deactivated member)
on 3/25/07 6:55 am - Houston, TX
Hey Alex, a lot of antidepressents make you loose your appitite......it you get straightened out, I would suggest nibble.....like in the beginning, sip sip sip...I would say nibble nibble nibble.....stay out of ketosis.....if you have the sleeping type of dumping, maybe eat a high sugar something just before bed, then you can sleep it off..... this is bandaid type soultions...see the doc.....also tell your shrink....maybe there is an antidepressent that would suit you better if you have an aversion to food.....work it out..... we are here stay in touch Russ
flyguymia
on 3/25/07 7:05 am
 RUSS YOU ARE SO RIGHT SINCE I STARTED THESE ANTI DEPRESSANTS I FIND MYSELF WITHOUT APPETITITE,IM CALLING MY SHRINKS  OFFICE TOMMOROW AND SEEING ABOUT  CHANGING ANTI DEPRESSENTS THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY WILL BE IN TOUCH WE ALL THANKS AGAIN ALEX
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