Anniversary Blues??

Hi Darlene, First & Foremost - a big {{hug}} to you. I am coming up on my 5th anniversary and I want you to know you are so not alone. I have those feelings as well. I have previously been to therapy and am on an anti-depressant because I started to creep into a hole. This has helped me improve but the feeling is still there. I struggle with the idea of coming upon this anniversary and what I have not accomplished during these previous years. I still have issues with esteem and trying to find "who I am". This is something that has to be worked on daily, and at times I feel myself slipping back. I also struggle with the thought of being one of the "firsts" and I actually have my I got ripped off pity parties and then move on-I have to or it would be a form of self destruction. I am more knowledgable now at this post op stage than I ever was. I wished I knew now what I needed back then. Sorry about all the "I's" in this post, but I wanted you to know that you are not alone and to seek out someone to talk to or visit your doctor to explain what you are feeling. I used to say that therapy was as good as a spa day for me - where else do you hold someone who is unbiased a captive party for an hour to do nothing else but listen to you? I can tell by your posts that you are a strong, caring and intelligent person, you have to be to realize that maybe something is amiss. Do this for yourself and make a call - it will make you feel so much better. Hugs Val~

Val, thanks so much for your kind words....something else just struck me while I was reading your post....yesterday (23rd) was my 3 year anniversary from Tummy Tuck. My surgeon did my surgery and again, I was his learning patient...for him.....I went in with just one request...no dog ears....well, I came out with dog ears and no belly button, plus some of the extra skin till there...he could have taken more but didn't. So now.....I have this image problem....I feel like I was made to look like a odd mishapen person. It sure doesn't help with home life that's for sure..... So, maybe I'm blue because of that.... Darlene

Darlene here is a hug!!!!!!!!!! motivation is so in short supply the farther we get out from the giddy first year-when the scale is dropping our cloths are sliding off our bodies. as much as I love leading a support group at times it does make it hard on the leader. Unless you have a policy of complete openness it is hard to talk about our own struggles at our group. So let us be your support group for you!!!! so here is a hug and a gentle reminder that you are terrific and giving to others just remember to save some to give to yourself as well. gratitude is my attitude Amanda S VG-DS October 2001 highest >350/342 satart of wls surgery/154@goal and after ps

Well, your beautiful smile in your photograph certainly doesn't look like a sad person! The more I learn about nutrition, vitamins, exercise and daylight, the more conscious I have become of how my body responds to how I'm fueling it. Give it premium fuel and it purrs like a kitten on all cylinders. Give it low grade fuel and it changes how I feel physically and emotionally. And that fuel is more than food, although having a really good balance in my diet is the starting point. Regular exercise (and a variety of things) and getting some sunlight every day have a big influence on my emotional mood. When I mess up the combination of things I notice a difference within 12-24 hours, and it takes generally takes an amount of time equivalent to the number of days I've been off my course to get it turned around again. That's not to say that getting psychological help, and at times even medicinal help, is not needed if you do these things. Health, I believe, means taking care of the entire self using a combination of tools. Sometimes you have to try different sets of tools to get your body synced. Take care, and good luck regaining your happy self. Ann

Could your depression be connected to being peri-menopausal or menopausal? I'd never had problems with depression until I became peri-menopausal at around 42. Suddenly I was thinking of suicide all the time. I started seeing a therapist who put me on Prozac. After doing therapy for 10 sessions I continued to take the Prozac for another year. I realized that I no longer had any symptoms of depression so I slowly backed off the Prozac. I've never had problems with depression since then so I have to assume it was due to hormones. You don't have to feel sad and blue all the time. There is help out there so don't let your pride stand in the way of seeking help. I can imagine having lost all the weight and being successful on maintenance for so long would bring a bit of a let down at some point. I could see a "what now" kind of lost feeling when all the wow moments were a thing of the past. I'd think that would be long past for you though since you are so far out. Best of luck in finding the right solution for you.