Question:
im mentally unable to adapt to chewing slow, i try but my depression kicks in

i suffer from major depression and panic/anxiety attacks, my doctor who is DR.CLARENCE HIXON doesnt seem to understand how severe this mental illness is, i told him recently that since january2005, ive had to make myself vomit just to be able to burp or swallow because honestly i ate too fast or sometimes i didnt and lately blood has been in my saliva when i regurgitate, but his only concern is that i lose more pounds and he told me to start back eating like i did when i was 3months post-op, now how silly does that sound me eating like we all did at 3 months post up, right now its been 11 months since i had the surgery and we all know we can eat more now than at 3 months. he also stated that i should take 5 minutes between each bite, i told him that it would take hours to finish one meal if i took 5 minutes just to chew, this is so depressing for me that ive thought about just not eating at all, my depression is so bad (and i do see a psychiatrist and therapist) that it can lead me into experiencing suicidal thoughts or attempts and i have sever extreme panic attacks, i take paxil for it, i dont know what to do, i feel from the beginning that i was never mentally prepared for the surgery, i fooled myself into believing that i was and i was wrong, very wrong, i will check myself into a local mental health institution to seek help soon, i started out at 452 and is now 287, i wish my doctor would understand what im going thru and stop being so concerned with every pound i lose and realize that regardless of the fact that i may indeed eat fast that is no reason to show no concern for my repeats of self induced vomiting which will eventually damage my esophagus, i throw up so that i can burp because air/gas gets trapped in my throat and it prevents me from being able to swalloew and my saliva wont go down and just builds up in my mouth until i have to spit up all the time, is there other people on this website that is experiencing depression badly where its interfering with adhering to the surgery guidlines for eating?all im admitting to you all is that im very mentally unstable and i feel that i should have my surgery reversed to keep my sanity before it leads to a nervous breakdown or suicide, thanks for listening    — kimala (posted on December 12, 2005)


December 12, 2005
Kimberly, Hon--- I strongly suggest you pick up a phone book and look up the phone number for crisis intervention. It really sounds like tyou need to get some help from a source other than your surgeon. Suggesting that you lose more pounds is not the answer to what is going on with you. Also, if you have yahoo and I am sure that you do go into groups and look up the group oss gone wrong. This is a group of people who have had wls and something has went wrong. There is alot of support in this group. Please seek out help from someone other than your doc. What state are you in? Please email me directly at [email protected] Melissa
   — kizie23

December 12, 2005
I really feel for you, but to have your surgery reversed could lead to further depression when you regain all your weight again. Not only that but the co-morbidities that go with your excess weight will also resurface leading to further depression. I sugest that you either make contact with a suport group in your state and get help and support from a buddy. Get another Dr.
   — Lise K.

December 12, 2005
Kimbery please do what you can to get some help right away and try a new doctor...who may be a little more understanding. I'm sure everyone here at OH will support you as much as we can ....but we are not trained professionals...we can only be here as friends and with what we have experienced. I have to ask you a question. Do you think with the surgery reversed how you are feeling mentally will change??? I'm not sure about getting it reversed, that may make you even more depressed. You weight loss so far is a great accomplishment. I hope that you realize that. I can only speak for myself so if you ever need to talk you can email me at any time at [email protected]. I really hope you can work through this and start to feel better. I wish you the best and god bless. Franca
   — Franca

December 12, 2005
Kimberly if you need a friend I'm there for you. I have not had my surgury yet, but I'm bi-polar and have been in the hospital twice for Psychiatric Problems, been in recovery for over a year now and about to go to school to get certified to be a Georgia Peer Support Specialist. If you need to talk I'm there okay. [email protected] I'll give you my yahoo id: once I hear from you. If your taking Paxil you suffer from SAD which is social anxiety disorder. For the need to burp try mylicon drops or gas-x chewables.
   — Deborah Joyner

December 12, 2005
Kimberly, I cannot imagine any Dr. would reverse the surgery as long as you are "very mentally unstable". Your mental health is a priority and your focus needs to be on obtaining help in that area, first. There is a very good chance that with therapy and counseling, you could gain back your good mental health and your physical health will follow. Good luck. Did you fake it on the psychiatric evaluation? As far as following the diet guidlelines of a 3 month post op patient, what do you have to lose? Yes, it may be difficult at first, but it may also lead to eating the proper amount in the proper amount of time and you will retrain yourself to eat properly. Reversing the surgery won't necessarily cure your problems and it poses many risks.....immediate and long term. Seek the help you need in the mental health arena and good luck to you.
   — LauraA

December 12, 2005
You have answered your own question. You are mentally unstable and understand that that is what is causing the problem. You are half way there to finding a solution. Congratulations. You need to tell your psych and therapists exactly what you have told us here. You may be taking the wrong medication or have a wrong diagnose. Run as fast as you can or pick up the phone doing what you are doing is self-distructive and you have admitted here you have thought of suicide. Find someone who will listen to what you have to say but make sure that you are honest with them. Let us know how things are going.......
   — 1968 Loser

December 12, 2005
Kim, I'm in agreement with everyone else. Get a different doctor and seek further mental treatment. Sounds like Paxil isn't doing the trick. My husband was biopolar manic depressive. His meds didn't work. There are the correct meds out there to help you. Just an idea, try reading while you eat maybe this will slow you down without realizing it. You can email me at [email protected]. We are all your friends and will help the best we know how.
   — pmallen

December 12, 2005
Oh, honey, go get help! Have you tried taking something ot help you burp? LIke Beano or Gas X? Your doctor exagerrated when he said five minutes between bites; he was probably trying to just get you to slow down. Try doing something with your hands between bites, like knitting or crocheting or reading - anything that will delay your eating. If you have someone else you share meals with, talk to them after each bite. Any little trick to distract yourself so you eat slower.
   — Novashannon

December 12, 2005
I am not a mental health professional and there is no true reversing of a Roux-en-Y. However, if you, your psychologist and bariatric surgeon feel that you need a surgical method of weight loss, you might want to evaluate whether the DS would be an appropriate alternative.
   — SteveColarossi

December 12, 2005
My Goodness, has no one mentioned how well you have done with your weight loss!! Focus on the positive!! I know how depression is and it is truly a horrible thing and one that needs medical attention. But good grief lady you should be SO excited with the wieght that you've lost! That's an increidble amount in only 11 months!! WOW! Pat yourself on the back for that....If you need support, mental or otherwise, I'm only an email away!! But WOW 287!! From 452lbs! In 11 months! Of course, you don't want to damage your esophogas so do try meds if you need....one thing that helps me, truly, is Sugar free popsicles! I LIVE on them. They help with that whole burping, nausea thing too! Let me know how you're doing! But do try to think about how far you've come and how successful you are in all those ways!!
   — momsluv2

December 13, 2005
Kimberly, my heart is breaking for you. I must echo the above posters who are urging you to change doctors and get immediate help for yourself. I also want to give you BIG UPS for the success you've had. You have done wonderfully well, especially considering the hurdles you've had to jump. Please, PLEASE do not give up now. ((((Kimberly))))
   — Jeanie

December 13, 2005
I just wanted to respond that I too suffer from depresson, anxiety, and panic attacks. The first thing I was wondering is if the paxil is actually helping you. I know I had to try many different medicines to get to the one that works best for me. I urge you to think about if the medicine is working for you! Try another if you have to! My sister had the same conditions as you and I and actually took her life on Oct. 25th. It devastated everyone in my family! Please email me and we can talk more if you want. [email protected]
   — HeidiXOXO

December 14, 2005
After I had Lap RNY surgery on 3 Oct 05, I started having 24 hours panic attacks. I don't have the one hour ones. Before surgery I was on 150mg of Effexor XR. The XR means it is extended release. RNY patients do not absorb extended release after surgery as they did before surgery. I thought I was just having post-surgery hormonal problems. Well I found out differently when I took a Zanax (anxiety med). Darned if Zanax didn't clear up my anxiety and panic attacks. I knew then what was happening. I continued with my Zanax until I could get an appt with my MD. I requested her to prescribed regular Effexor (non-time release). I now take 75 mg Effexor (non-time release) twice a day. I really was having more problems that that, I also had low potassium which will cause depression problems also. So I suggest: 1. If you absolutely feel like climbing the walls or feel like suicide - by all means.......go to the Emergency Room 2. If you are not climing the walls - call your MD tomorrow, have her/him prescribe Zanax (or equivalent) for your anxiety until you can get to an appt to discuss what depression prescription will work best for you now...after surgery...no time release please. If your MD/Pysch is not handling you well, immediately find another one. 3. You do not have to go through what you are going through. There is hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have seen several Pysch doctors about my depression. They can't find why I insist on being depressed and panic attacks run in my family. One thing all of them have said is...............you are not going crazy! You just feel that way right now. May God give you peace !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jane
   — Jane K.

December 14, 2005
I would find another surgeon and get a scope done. Perhaps you actually have a physical problem (stricture) that is leading to these mental issues. I know it can be very depressing to have an actual physical problem go untreated/undiagnosed. Please go to someone who will take your PHYSICAL complaint seriously and investigate. It doesn't seem to me your mental problems are the root of your cause, but the physical problem is causing the mental issues. Good luck! Shelley
   — Shelley.




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