Emotional health

Can't believe I would be titling a post as emotional Health,,,, Kinda out of character for me... Wanted to ask you guys cause lets face it I can't really ask anyone else.... Over the last 6 months or so I have been having some issues with pain and the like. Most of it is likely related to too many years of my body carring around too much weight. Anyway for the first time since I can remember I have been feeling a bit overwelmed and unhappy about life in general and especially thes new health issues that nobody seems to be able to fix. I just noticed over the last few weeks that my attitude or emotional outlook is starting to effect things day to day. I am not deprssed or anythng even similar butI get out of bed about every day thinking how screwed up everything often is. I have a fairly high stress job but have never had issues dealing with it, home life is good, but something isin't right and it is starting to bug me. It is almost like nothing brings me happiness anymore and on top of that I have this screwy pain to irritate things further. I have no excuses, great wife, good kids, finances are reasonable (they could always be better) I have meaningfull employment and a side gig that while neverending it is also fulfilling often times moreso than my ful time job. I have given up most of my hobbies just because the dough outlay seemed excessive for the enjoyment I recieved in return. I enjoy motorsports but have gotten tired of "working all the time" building things but I cannot stand just sitting around... And this is a lot harder to type about than i thought it was going to be.  What a bunch of BS eigh?  Anybody been there done that? Any solutions or suggestions? Feel a bit like the womens forum around here now dosen't it?

Nope - not a bunch of BS at all.  Quite the contrary.  The emotional aspects of WLS are often just as powerful or even much more so than the physical aspects.  And these little aches and pains that your dealing with very well could be the result of some depression rather than (or in addition to) the neglect your body took over the course of several years.  When you lose significant amounts of weight the changes are monumental...how you view yourself and how others view you (or how you perceive they view you) is likely very different than what you're used to.  Hormone levels with weight loss can go topsy-turvy as well which can result in highs and lows as far as your mood and sense of well-being.  Food is no longer the crutch or security blanket it once was and if it's not managed properly or replaced by something healthier, once again your mood can be greatly affected. What about pre-op life expectations vs. post-op reality?  This is a BIGGIE!  It's very easy to expect life to change completely once the weight is off.  Post-ops once they've lost enough weight are able to do things they never could before...riding in airplane seats comfortably, fitting in the booth at the restaurant, walking/running/biking, buying clothes off the rack and we must not forget about sex - yep it's often much more satisfying.  But here's the kicker...all this stuff is great for awhile and there's a sense of euphoria when experiencing these things once again, or for some experiencing them for the very first time.   But then, it becomes daily routine...and life...well it becomes life once again.   That coming back down to earth can result in a rough landing.  Many folks are not prepared for this. Don't be afraid to get some counseling.  If you're feeling uneven talk to your physician about what you're dealing with emotionally.  It's not uncommon for WLS post-ops to be prescribed and anti-depressant such as welbutrin, paxil or lexapro to name a few...these can help get that balance back and even things out.  Support Groups are also highly encouraged especially those that are focused on issues for longer-term post-ops. Dust off some of the hobbies, those things you've enjoyed in the past...or hit the gym if you've not done so already - consistent physical activity can really be a shot in the arm for some folks.  Don't make excuses for these things...make time.  Stephen Covey in 7 Habit of Highly Effective People calls this "sharpening the saw" or "renewal"...these are crucial to your well-being.  You talked about work - two jobs in fact...and talked about giving up hobbies.  Are you making time for yourself and for quality time with the family?  Remember there are consequences to "all work and no play...". No solutions here necessarily - just some food for thought.   Just like your weight loss, you've got to work hard at life after you've shed the pounds. Cards Fan LOSESMART!  LOSESTRONG!

Not BS at all…. And, unlike the Main-Board, this is actually about a real issue. (not the typical- “My Co-Workers are jealous of my new figure!”) * See post above. * It’s a common problem. The good news it’s one that can be fixed. Best Wishes- Dx

 

   I can't respond as well as Cards Fan did. But when I read his response to you I felt like he was talking to me. My point being that I think many of us have those feelings. Because we're "guys" and guys don't discuss things like this, these issues can leave one feeling pretty lonely at times. You might be a little depressed, but perhaps you could exchange some of the hobby time you've lost interest in for some gym time. I never thought I would ever say this because I'm one who absolutely hated to exercise. But I found a group of guys and we go to the gym early in the morning before work three times a week. My body is slowly responding to the exercise; the sore knees and other sore joints are getting better. I can't explain it ; although I'm sure someone on this forum can, but the positive change to my mental health as a result of working out was almost instant. I'm far from being perpetually happy, but I'm better off than I was and I credit the exercise for it.      Don't be afraid to mention these things to your doctor. I'm glad you wrote and I hope you can find something you can use in the responses you'll be getting. Good luck----- to both of us. :)

Forgive the repost of my response to Jason on Depression postop but your need sounded similar and I'm a bit excited about my new findings,....a little knowledge acn be a dangerous thing??? I am a Club member here with the unexplained on and off depression and anger for no good reason while being tickled to death with the new lighter me.  It is like light and dark at the same time.  Throw in few personal quirks and if I weren't so happy I'd slit my wrists. I learned potassium helped with the depression.  One banana one afternoon and withing an hour, I was huming while working and realized,....man, an hour ago I was gloom and doom.  So now I take a potassium pill every morning with my other stuff. Then I volunteered to facilitate a WLS Support Group and took the OH.com Support Grp Leader training last Saturday.  I learned some things I am incorporating.  Lack of energy and depression and even some anger can all be from varying degrees of deficiencies in protein and certain amino acids intake.  Digesting 200 gms of protein doesn't mean our bodies are absorbing or benefiting from 200 gms of protein.  Also,...if we are getting a good amount of protein but are anemic/low on iron, the protein isn't being metabolized efficiently or being used even though we are geting it in.  Aminos are  low dosage essentials but things our body don't produce and again, aid in allowing the body to efficienetly utilize the cells, glycogen, proteins, and sugars to metabolize and help us feel energized, undepressed, and less angry or agitated.  And magnesium is a mineral that helps metabolize energy from body sugar in the blood. Therefore, with this new found wisodm, I have started taking the Walmart brand Body Fortress Amino 3000 (BCAA) this morning and a magnesium supplement (250 mg).  In addition to the potassium supplement I take,... I take 2 prenatal multi-vitamns because they have 28 mg of iron instead of the standard 18 of most (WLS surgeon instructed).  I take 2 every morning and 2 more in the early to late afternoon. Thats a total of 112 mg a day. I have upped my B vitamin intake to 2500 mcg sublingal B-12 with an addtional B1 and a dose of liquid B-Complex every morning and another 2500 mcg of B-12 in the afternoon.  I am averaging about 15-20 miles a week walking/jogging, and HIIT walk/spprint trainng to try and improve my performance in an upcoming 10K in Oct from my time last March. My protein intake has gone from the original post-op of 60 gms to 120 gms at 4 months post-op, to 180-200 gms a day at 11 months.  I usually daily intake is a protein drink at breakfaset (23-46 gms; 1 -2 scoops), mid-morning snack of 2 protein bars (Pure Protein Chocolate Deluxe 20 gms protein, 170 calories each) anad again as a mid afternoon snack.  I normally eat 4-6 bars a day so they alone get me 80-120 gms plus breakfast; 100-160 gms plus whatever food I get in such as ravioli, shrimp, cheese, refried or baked beans, and/or boiled egg whites. The increase in protein, potassium, and B vitamins has helped me feel better until recently.  I feel I'm starting to hit another energy and depression wall.  I'm hoping the additional protein I'm going to try with the new additon of the Aminos (BCAA combo) and magensium supplement is going to make a difference. Thought I'd throw this out there in case you want to try and see if it is of any help to you too. Good luck.

I have been doing an all out evaluation of what I was doing as far as diet and what I do now. I found that my protien intake is down from 95-125 to around 60, Carb count is up and fluids are down so diet wise I am probably doig it all wrong. BUT that I can fix. I started working on the fluids. My wife had been telling me for some time tht I hardly eat. I thought she was just over reacting, but over 3 dys I was under 2500 calories. Guess she may have been right. I am getting my blood worked up next week, and that should put me at the point of knowing if this is a physical or psychological one.  I do want to thank you all for your replies. Because some of the names are unfamilliar to me (I am not around much) and the replies so compleete I checked to see if the posts were coming from a doc :) I would like to get back in the gym. It has been since May.