Question:
I am embarrest to say I deal with depression

I have not talked to many people about this as I chose to have surgery and physically I am doing well. I have lost about 38-40 lbs. in 6wks. But I miss food. I do feel deprived. I can't believe I feel this way... I was not prepared to miss food this much. Has anyone else delt with this successfully...    — Dorothy G. (posted on April 8, 2002)

April 8, 2002
We discuss bowel movements with great detail here, there is no need to be embarrassed for simply being depressed! You also, are not ALONE in this struggle. You are very normal. All I can say is it DOES get better. I was in a total FUNK for the first three months. You are just six weeks, and at 6 weeks, I was JUST getting out of soft foods into "real food"! Your hormones will be all out of whack, and what used to be a normal routine is no longer normal for you because of your stomach size. You are in strange & new territory. It's normal to be scared, depressed and feel alone- Surgery doesn't change your mind, just the amount you can eat. That will take a while. One day you will "wake up" and realize food is NOT that important, but that new YOU is (not that the old you wasn't!). But food is just fuel to run the NEW and IMPROVED you, and it will lose it's importance in your life. I just think you are really in a in-between phase, where you are still adjusting to portion and variety and have not seen the "dramatic" weight loss- so you are a in a funk. Give it another 2 months.
   — Karen R.

April 8, 2002
What you are feeling is completly normal!! I missed food so much for the first couple of months. I am now 6.5 months out and I have to remember to eat, that is how much I have forgotten about food. And I dont really remember when it happened. Somewhere around the end of my 3rd month. I wish you the best and I hope ou feel better soon. Nancy
   — nkoehler88

April 8, 2002
There is nothing to be embarrassed about. You have just undergone major surgery and made a tremendous life change. Be gentle with yourself. If you aren't feeling better soon, consider getting some counseling. If you are like many of us, you have just lost your 'best' friend and may need some help dealing with that.
   — garw

April 8, 2002
I am 5 weeks post-op and have gone through a little bit of food depression as well. It was horrible during about weeks 3-4 (pureed foods) when they would show juicy steaks, fried chicken and pizza, etc on the TV advertising. I think I was also lacking in protien at that time because it was the protiens that sounded best. But I am already down about 40 lbs and am really focusing on getting the protien in. I have found that the days thay I do get more protien, are the days I feel better, don't miss food, am not as depressed and feel much better about life. It is still strange to me to be able to get full on 2-3 oz of food, but it also seems very liberating. I feel more satisfied now than I ever did when I would gorge myself out. I try to get in a high protien shake every day and go from there. From what I read and the other posters have said, give it some time. It isn't easy to break old habits and the farther out we get, the easier it will be.
   — Dell H.

April 8, 2002
Reading your statement tonight about missing food, brought back a flood of memories for me. Im now 19 months out, but I can remember like it was yesterday the absolute grief I felt at the loss of my comfort foods. I had anger at seeing those around me enjoying those foods. I did alot of crying and feeling sorry for myself. for the most part I am "in recovery" but I wonder, since I still go through these emotions from time to time in regards to my old comfort foods, will I ever get completely over it??? I do know the feelings are alot less then ever before. Good luck!
   — Tricee

April 28, 2002
hey there twin. i thought i was the only one. i had the surgery on the 11th of april this year. i have been cheating and getting sick. the vomitting, the diahrreah, the nausea- everything. even if it is just aa little bit - sometimes i'm ok. then sometimes i'm not. i have been so angry when i see people eatting and i can't. sometimes the food smells so good i want to cry. sometimes i do. but i'm trying to do my best. we can do this. it's ganna be alright. we can help each other get through this. everyday i fight not to eat something so email me and lets help each other okay. good luck to you. i have 200 pounds to loose before goal-but i believe i can do it.and i believe in you too. GOD bless and good luck
   — Janvielle F.

September 23, 2002
Hi, Iam almost 7 wks out and God how I can relate to how you are feeling. Its a battle for me every single day. Sometimes I eat it hurts so bad. I feel like such a failure to myself. Ive pretty much been eating regular food since 1 wk out ive lost approx 40 lbs. Dr says Im really pushing the envelope and NOT to do it, easier said than done he fixed me physically where I cant have the foods but mentally I still want it all.
   — niteshadow181

November 11, 2002
I am 5 months post op and have depression relating to loss of food. I'm just not happy anymore. My whole life was food, I guess, and I feel like a huge part of my life is gone. I've lost 65 lbs, but my life has not changed. I always thought I was so unhappy because of my weight. I guess I was wrong. The weight loss has helped with some things, believe me, but I'm still me. What did I think? My family never says anything about my weight loss. No compliments, etc. Oh, I am just whining here, but I am pretty depressed. I hope it will get better as I get nearer my goal weight! Who knows?
   — Georgia H.