brownblonde
My Biggest Fear
Apr 18, 2010
I just found this online:From the LapSF newsletter.
********
Many people can't imagine becoming depressed AFTER losing weight. However, depression can occur after weight loss surgery or when undergoing any time of major lifestyle change. Possible causes of depression after WLS may include:
- Mourning the loss of food for comfort. If food has always been your "friend" or something you depended on when feeling sad, stressed or lonely, saying "goodbye" can be difficult.
- Mourning the loss of pre-operative lifestyle. For example, feeling left out while socializing, participating in holiday rituals, or when dining in restaurants.
- Reactions from others. Relationships with loved ones can change or become strained. Reactions to weight loss may be negative or jealous, or otherwise unsupportive friends/family may resort to "sabotage." Positive reactions or increased attention from others can lead to feelings of discomfort, vulnerability, or resentment.
- Having unrealistic expectations. For example, thinking that everything will get better after surgery or that your emotional eating or other disordered eating habits will simply disappear.
- Hormonal changes. For some women, estrogen is released while fat is burned to make energy. This release of estrogen may cause mood swings.
- Body image discrepancies. After rapid weight loss, you do not recognize yourself or lose a sense of self. You may experience a loss of identity between the inner and outer you.
The postoperative blues typically occur during the first few weeks or months after surgery and subside over time. However, if you find that your symptoms are worsening or are beginning to interfere with your relationships, work, or daily functioning, it is time to seek help from a medical professional.
I think it's probably beneficial to go ahead and talk about this.
I really identify with mourning food, and mourning pre-op lifestyle.
I don't know how I'd feel about a world without food. Okay, without food in the way I use food. I know that is partially the point of surgery. Still, I don't think I truly abuse food that much. I got fat from loving to cook and shop for foods, think up new recipes, and eat wonderful dishes. I used to think that was the root of all my problems. Then I realized: for most of human existence, our entire days were consumed with food. Think about it: that was the main driving force behind human existence forever. I mean, it still is, but we can focus on other things and let good ol' McDonald do the food preparation. So, I don't think it is really that weird to think about food. Secondly, it could be worse. I know people who fairly hate food and still get fat. I've heard stories about people driving through fast food restaurants and eating crap and shoveling it down their throat. How horrible to get fat that way!
I just want a happy medium, ya know? Food truly is an art for me. Life without that artistic outlet would be pretty sad. I don't want it to be that way. I'm not that unhealthy. There are plenty of people out in this world who eat, and even love, food, and have a healthy weight. Why is it too much to ask that I be that person? Don't get me wrong: I understand that I cannot keep doing what I'm doing now. I also realize that I will probably experience the above for the first several months. And, I am willing to comply fully with the Dr. prescribed diet until I lose weight. All I'm saying is that I'm 22 and a food-lover. It's totally unrealistic for me to think that I will survive my next 60 years eating protein, veggies, and little of anything else. I'm sorry to have to admit that on here, but I'm making an attempt to be honest. I don't think that makes me a bad candidate for surgery. I am just getting that out there now and taking responsibility of it for later. I now know that any method of weight loss for me is going to take a good deal of work. My hope is that surgery will take away my hunger, help me to lose weight, and allow me to begin as a thinner person who wants to learn to eat less and be committed to exercise. That was my best chance without surgery, and with surgery I'm hoping it will be a winning combination.
