Feeling down and out....

So having a rough weekend.
A little background - I had bypass surgery on Sept 22nd and am 45lbs down so far. In the beginning it went pretty quick and I'm only 2mths out and it's slowed down quite a bit. Seems I'm only losing 1-2lbs per week (most weeks). I started at around 280 and am around 235 now and am 5'9". I'm getting extremely frustrated. My energy level is really low everyday still, my libido is non existent, and I'm depressed most days. Some days I feel as if I've eaten too much and other days I eat the right amount (if I remember to eat all my meals). Today I went out and bought 2 new pairs of jeans that were only 1 size smaller than my usual size. I know I should be okay with that but it ****** me off. I still feel big as a cow even though others tell me I look good. I can't see the difference.
I know I should be thankful and grateful for even losing 45lbs but it doesn't feel like it's enough right now.

Thanks for listening. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Sorry it's been so tough!  

It seems that you've made good progress, actually.  That's great loss.  It'll probably slow from there in a few weeks, too.  And that's perfectly normal!

Remember that you'll lose weight in all kinds of places.  You might lose less on the bottom for a while, then switch things around later.  

How are you doing with exercise?  It helps with the mood and the energy, particularly cardio - and that might jump start your weight loss, too (though the loss sounds good).

But those are all practical points, and don't really address the depression.  Maybe you're just having a bad weekend.  If it persists, then it's time to see a professional and get some help.  Your (our) hormones are all over the place after surgery, and a bout with situational depression is almost to be expected. So please take it seriously and get the help you need, if you're not already.  

You'll be better.  Hopefully that'll be really soon!

Rosa

Sorry you're having a rough time of it. I can remember having many of the same feelings. I lost very fast the first couple of months, then after that, it was 8 pounds per month, then 5. Well, here I am at 8 months out and I've almost lost 100 lbs. It does add up. It just doesn't seem to happen as we expect it to. My sizes changed very slowly at first too. I felt I was in an 18 for about 30 pounds or so. Now, I'm losing slower and the sizes are changing faster. It is actually annoying to keep running out of clothes!

Anyway, hang in there. It's the big picture that counts. You will see the difference. I promise.

45 lbs is great.  I was a few weeks before you and I am at about 50lbs if you count the pre-surgery diet.  It really helps me to track what I am eatting and post on Miles and menus everyday.  I use the tracker on this website, pretty easy listed under tools.  Then, even if I don't lose, I know I am doing ok with protein and calories and I will. 

Are you getting your vitamins?  my surgery was right before yours and I haven't had labs done again but it did take me quite a while to have some energy again.  Getting out and doing, whether I feel like it or not, makes a big difference.  I'm still in bed by 9 or 10 and sleep 9 hours but I do have energy for what I need to do during the day.

Sizes can be so frustrating.  I started a 22 in pants and now am a large.  I'm only 5' (maybe on a good day).  From xl to l took forever, in fact just this weekend did I feel like I could wear some of them in public.  In tops I have xl and m that I can wear and some L that are still way too tight.

My Dr group suggest everyone start an antidepressant if they aren't already on one before surgery because of the hormones.  I thought long and hard because I had never been on any psychoactive meds.  In the end, I did it and I am glad I did.  I think my emotions would have been whacky at time and I have not been with them on board.  Get some help if you need to.

Good Morning,

I wanted to check in and see how you're feeling this morning.  Your weight loss is fantastic!  It took me three months to shed 30 pounds post op and since them I'm lucky to shed 3-4 pounds in a month.  We all lose differently but the good news is that if we work our program, we most likely will never have to lose those same pounds again.  Hang in there with the weight loss. 

The others asked about your vitamins.  I think they're really important.  Did you know that a common side of dehydration is feeling really tired?  Are you getting in your fluids and protein? 

I had a blue day yesterday and know I would have felt better if I had exercised, but I just couldn't get myself there.  I know that today I'll make a point of it, no matter what else I do in my day.  I'm not a depressed person, but I have had my share of "blue" days since surgery.  I think those hormones can really play around with us as we shed the fat.

Sending hugs your way....

Sorry you are not feeling great.  Are you drinking your water and taking your vitamins including the B12.  Both can make you feel pretty tired.  Are you getting the right amount of protein?  Do you do protein drinks if your not getting in the right amount of protein.

Do you track your food?  That really helped me alot to make sure I did everything I was suppose to do.  It took all the guess work out and was very important for me.

45 pounds is a great amount to have lost.  It is going to slow down eventually.  Some have plateaus and during these you weight will redistribute.  I hope you measured before your surgery.  If not, do it now and when your not dropping pounds, check your measurements - I'll bet they will be coming down!!

If you are depressed, please talk to your doctor.  They can give you something to help you with this.  You have a lot of hormonal things going on in your body right now.

Clothing sizes at first don't change very often, but later on you will fly through the sizes.  I stayed in 14's and 16's forever it seemed like and then skipped a couple of sizes.

Hope you feel better soon.  I'll be thinking about you.

Linda

You have been given a lot of good advice and encouragement from everyone...I do not have much to add but this...you took a brave and courageous step forward to a healthy new life. Your body is going through a transformation that not always is evident by the numbers on the scale. Physiological changes will show and manifest in time. If you are on your plan (taking vitamins, protein, water, etc) then you will see those rewards of your hard works. It may not be as fast as we want them to be. As for the depression, if you need to seek out help (therapy, prescriptions, etc) then you do so. YOU ARE WORTH THIS JOURNEY!! 

ps - on your comment about how you feel as big as a cow...I still get that daily. I am not sure if the head will ever truly wrap around our new image. I am only 11 months post op but I can tell you that I look at myself in the current size jeans that I wear and still say...ugh, these won't fit...I'm too fat. Or when the are on me and buttoned I still think I "look" like I'm in my largest size ever. 

Again lovie...you will be successful in this journey. Your body is confused and transforming quickly, hormonal shifts, etc. 

Oh, and you are at right around the normal 'stall' period too...so it's all completely normal process. 

Keep us posted on how you are doing. Have you posted on Menu & Miles thread on this board?? You get great support on your menu and it's a nice place to visit daily....

SUPER HUGS TO YOU!!!!