Question:
Has anyone had serious emotional and mental issues (depression) during pregnancy?

I am 19 months post op (open ryn) and I am 5 months pregnant. I am having alot of acceptance problems with gaining weight. I have gained 10 lbs so far, and I am all baby. The doctors are keeping a close eye on me and I am having ultrasounds every month. However no one seems to understand how hard it is to accept the fact i am gaining weight. I lost a total of 135lbs. I am very happy and excited about the baby, and understand that weight gain is expected and normal (this is my second child, first one post op though) Are these feelings normal? Has anyone else had any "issues" like this.    — Amy H. (posted on December 21, 2001)

December 21, 2001
I can say I totally understand where you're coming from but maybe this will help. Remember that you are NOT gaining the weight but the new life inside you is and that's OK. I am only two months out and have only lost just under 40. It is so wonderful to loose yes but you have a new focus for your self for just a short period of time. If you can try and remember that you will be thankful for it in the future with a healthy baby and a new body for yourself after it will come off alot easier than before. Good Luck and God Bless.
   — paulag457

December 21, 2001
Hi I am still pre-op. I have a one year old son. Just before I got pregnant I lost quite a bit of weight on Meridia and the Akins diet. Then of course when I went back to eating like I normally did I gained weight. I also developed Gestational Diabetes and ended up having to moniter my blood sugars and everything I put in my mouth. I was very depressed and obsessive with every pound I gained. My son turned out to be healthy despite my Gest. Diabetes but after I had him I was still very depressed. I was back where I started before the meridia and to top it off I had to move away from my family (my husband got a promotion but we had to move to CA from MN). I think you are going to be fine, it sounds like your doctor is keeping a close watch and I am sure he will tell you if you need to do something different. But in the mean time don't weigh yourself, look away at the doctors office and tell them you don't want to know how much you have gained. I am sure they will do that for you. that way you can focus on keeping yourself and your baby healthy and not have to fret about a number. Maybe you could see a counselor if it doesn't get better. I am not sure if anti-depressants are okay during pregnancy but you could ask. Sometimes just talking to someone can help. Good luck and Happy Holidays!
   — M. S.

December 21, 2001
Oh Amy I feel your pain! The depression I have been feeling is horrible! I am happy to be 7 weeks pregnant, but also am upset that I'm only 1 year post op and still losing weight. I too worry about weight gain and do realize that it's normal, but I just can't shake these feelings of being so down. Please take comfort in knowing that so many people care and you're not alone. If you need someone to talk to, please feel free to email me direct.
   — Cristy K.

December 22, 2001
I had surgery on 3/31/94 at 463 lbs. I got down to 242lbs and then got pregnant. i still had so far to go so changing the mindset was hard. I stuck to a healthy food plan and took extra vites. I had a healthy girl on 8/26/96. My total weight gain was 44 lbs. (With my first I gained almost 80). I had no swelling with the post op baby nor any issues with health. The hard part for me was losing the other 24 lbs that I did not lose by 6 weeks post natal (I had a c section and had a hard time healing because of my haning apron so I couldn't exercise). If you do what you are supposed to do you will lose the weight, the weight will come off, it has to. Today that post op baby is in kindergarten and I am at maintenance. when we work so hard at getting the weight off it is difficult to keep on going during pregnancy. You aren't the first to feel this and you aren't the last. Hang in there and HAPPY BABY!!! Hugs Rita, rny 3/31/94 463 lbs then, 185 lbs now and maintaining
   — vt_rita

July 1, 2004
Amy, This may sound terrible, but I am so happy that I am not alone with this same exact problem. I am 23 months post op now and five months pregnant. So far I have lost a total of 162lbs. I went from 289lbs to 127lbs in 19 months. I gained back 9lbs my first trimester and only 4lbs so far in the second. I feel so selfish but all I can think about is gaining weight and being so scared of ever getting back to where I once was. I eat healthy but it is killing my emotionally because I have not enjoyed my new body long enough and I am beginning to see myself as being fat and overweight again. So trust me I know what you are going through. If you need to talk or compare notes you can e-mail me anytime @ [email protected]. Take care and good luck with your pregnancy. Amanda
   — Amanda F.