Question:
I've become very short tempered - is this due to body changes?

I've lost 199# and I'm within 20# of my goal. I have never been this small - so my body has gone thru a lot of changes. I know that loss of body fat upsets hormonal balances. I'm wondering if this is contributing to my short fuse as well. Anybody else out there noticing this problem?    — Etta M. (posted on June 22, 2004)

June 22, 2004
I had this problem as well a couple of years post-op. For me, it was diagnosed as depression and I'm now on medication. I'm alot less cranky, and my family is alot happier!
   — mom2jtx3

June 22, 2004
Etta I feel your pain!!!! I went and am still currently going through the same thing. Things are a little better but not 100% yet. Read the end of my profile to see what my situation was like. Kelly Pearsall, GOOD LUCK!!
   — Kelly* P.

June 22, 2004
Your grumpyness is probably due to not having food to turn to for comfort and in frustrating times. How about adding more physical activity to expend that nervous energy? Substitute something that is constructive for the previous habit of overeating that was so destructive. It works for me...Diane N
   — DianeN

June 22, 2004
My DH was so short-tempered after he had WLS my kids and I threatened to make him live in the van if he didn't act better! I did have him talk to our PCP about this and he was started on an anti-depressant and that made all the difference in the world. You may want to talk to your doctor about this.
   — koogy

June 23, 2004
Etta- I went through the same thing. I was told that WLS is a MAJOR life changing event. That studies put it right up there with divorce or loss of a job. Therefore, it is very common to have emotional changes. Also as a woman- out hormones are going crazy with the weightloss. Estrogen in stored in fat and as we lose fat we lose estrogen. Getting crabby and short fused is normal. I went to my family doctor-he put me on an antidepressant that I took for about 3 months just to get over that slump I was in. It helped. Give it a some thought. Good luck.
   — Jan S.

June 24, 2004
It may be depression, which I have already, and take medication for, but it also could be a vitamin deficiency. Best thing to do is check with your doctor.
   — imdebbie