Question:
So down and moody!! Please can someone explain why is this happening!

I am abou 7 weeks post op from lap RNY. Up until recently i felt good and all of a sudden i am a mess. I have been on 50 mg of Zoloft for may years and lorazepam as needed. But now it is so hard! I have 2 young children who i adore and all of the sudden, i find myself so angry at everything! I was so laid back and content and always thankful. Sorry to vent but it is getting hard!    — angel4 (posted on May 25, 2007)

May 25, 2007
you really need to talk with your doctor. you have been through a lot. your body has changed. your medicine absorption may also be different. i am 35 years old and on 100mg of zoloft daily. my doctor said you can go up to 200mg safely. try going up on your dose and see if you improve. your children need you to do this for them also. i wish you well. love, donna
   — DonnaRichards

May 25, 2007
Constance.. first of all, what you are experiencing is normal.. is a grieving process for what you can no longer do/have. For years, you were able to eat what you wanted, and now can no longer do so. when you have those emotions or situations where you used to be able to eat them away, you are having to face those emotions or repress them.. doesn't work they will surface eventually anyway. Before the emotions surfaced in eating and thus getting fatter. I have a feeling that while you may have been thankful, you were not "Laid back and content" you were apathetic - not really caring and letting life pass you by. If you haven't already done so, get some counseling to help you define your relationship with food and develop some other ways of dealing with life. (I say this from experience)... this is not some 'been skinny all my life person' saying this.. this is someone who has been there - done that. Above all, remember why you chose to have the surgery. You won't have to look too far - the mirror or the 2 young children that you have that you say you adore. Don't take your frustrations out on them or those around you. Before you were able to self abuse with food and the natural tendency now is to lash out... don't do it. You need to set a good positive example of dealing with your issues for your children. People always think that because their children are little, they won't understand or remember. while they may not understand what you are upset about, make no mistake, they know that you are upset, angry, etc and you don't want them thinking that they are the cause of it, when it is coming from you not them. Be gentle to yourself and those around you. They want nothing but the best for you, as you should for yourself.. that is why you had the surgery after all... go to the doctor and ask for an increase for the Zoloft and get into or discuss with your counselor your recent mood / personality changes... hope this helps...
   — Kari_K

May 25, 2007
HI Donna and Kari, Thank you so much for the good advice. I will talk to my surgeon to up the zoloft to 100 mg. My family and i deserve to be the best we can be. I did hide my emotions with food, and here i am. I will seek help, just your replies alone helped me see what i already knew, thank you!!!
   — angel4

May 25, 2007
you have been through alot. surgery is not easy. no matter what kind you have. I think you should go talk to a therapist, and you should get back on your medicine. I have dealt with depression and other problems my entire life and sometimes even when things are great and you knowyou should feel happy, your brain doesnt let you. I hope this helps. keep in touch.
   — marygriego

May 25, 2007
Constance- you will have this off and on for at least a year- when we were fat we stored estrogen (female hormone) in our fat cells- as we lose fat it gets dumped back into our blood- think about your emotions and premenstrual syndrome- well you have a bad case of PMS and are very emotional about it- I am a year out and whenever I drop 5-10# it comes back with a vengeance. Just keep telling yourself that this too shall pass as the weight drops away. Hang in there it will get better. Donna 286/135
   — dabby

May 25, 2007
Constance, estrogen is stored in fat, and when we lose, the estrogen is released and can wreak havoc on our emotions. Obesity and depressioin are closely related, although not completely understood. Do speak with your family doc, and perhaps consider a higher dose of your meds, or trying one of teh newer anti-depressants. I'm also a stong advocate of therapy. Weight loss impacts every single area of our lives, and the guidance and support of a good ttherapist to help navigate the new waters can be invaluable. Also, with any form of WLS, it's imperative that we overcome emotional eating, and a therapis is useful here too. . We have to learn the reasons we chose to overeat so badly. Then we can learn to meet those needs - often emotional ones - in healthier ways that do not involve food. This is the only way we can keep the weight off, along with permanent improvement ib food chgoices, exercise , and lifestyle. E Good luck with all these - it is often hard, but good results are worth every second. Sandy R banded 3/2003 at goal x 3+ yrs
   — SandyR

May 26, 2007
7 weeks post op is a hard time and your body is getting adjusted to the loss of vitamins that your body needs for energy and appropriate brain energy. ARe you taking the liquid calcium, liquid B-12, iron during your period, etc???? If not that is your probelm Especially the B-12. I had to take 1000 mcg of B 12 or the exhaustion just about killed me. Also the proteins are very necessary at this point.
   — rollingroulunds