Very Depressed

I am 3 1/2 weeks out from RNY. The first 2 weeks the weight loss was great....pretty much exactly what I expected. Now, for the past 1 1/2 weeks, the scale has not moved at all. I am so depressed, and quite frankly, regretting my decision to have even had the surgery. I have a terrible time tolerating liquids, pretty much everything I drink make me nauseated and have cramps and pain. The food that I'm starting to add does fine, no pain or cramping. There hasn't been a single day since my surgery that I have been able to tolerate even the minimal amount of daily fluid intake.

Hey I'm sorry your feeling depressed and hope your spirits are lifted soon. Your doing great with your weight loss! I'm 13 days out and according to my scales I've lost about 22 lbs and I'm amazed that its came off so quickly but I was told Friday by the nurse that it would start to slow down. So just do what you are suppose to and it will come off in time. I've been having a hard time getting in my liquids and protein drinks as well and the milk is starting to get to me, so I went and bought the bullet protein and added half of the bottle to a bottle of water with crystal light and it taste pretty good and haven't had trouble getting it down. As far as the cramps I had the same thing earlier today with drinking a V-8 juice. Just remember according to my doctor that it takes about 3 months for the inside of your body to heal, so just do your best okay.

Karen,

I hate that you are depressed, but I can certianly understand.  I tend to be a bit impatient with myself sometimes also.  I try very hard to not be too very upset with myself but it is hard.  I don't regret my surgery although I had a lapband and I did not expect the weight to fall off of my as it does with the RNY surgery I still hate this stall!

Try not to be too hard on yourself, it will come.  Just takes some folks more time to lose that others. I seem to be a slow loser myself!   Good luck and I look forward to hearing from you that the scales are moving again.

From what I've read this is a normal stage after surgery.  It's partly to do with the fact that you're not taking in a lot of food so you're not getting all the nutrition you probably need.  Tell your nutritionist how you're feeling and see if she/he can suggest something that will help.  It's a beautiful day today though, so go outside and walk a little, even if it's just around your yard.  The fresh air will do you good and exercise is a natural anti-depressant.  Plus tomorrow's a day off for a lot of people.  Take a drive, stop at a park and just soak up some new scenery.  I just bought a book that I'm enjoying so much and have recommended to others now.  There's a segment of the book dedicated to depression after WLS.  The author suggests:
1-focus on the positive:  you're stating a new phase of your life!
2-adjust you mind-set: be realistic about your goals
3-surround yourself with positive friends and family
4-Get moving, exercise
5-Get enough sleep
6-take your vitamins and drink enough fluids.  If this is a problem, consult your Dr.
7-see if there's a local support group in your town or area (I wish there was one in my town!)
8-Try aromatherapy
9-Get 15 minutes of laugher every day
10-Nurture your spiritual side.
If you'd like to know more about this book, contact me privately.  When I'm finished with the book I'll probably post to the general forum about it with a review.  It's a great book.

Karen,

Do me a favor and go read my blog in June and July 08. You will see that I experienced almost exactly what you are experiencing, including the self-doubt and depression. I must admit that I suffer from severe, dilbiliating clinical depression that has nothing to do with WLS, but I had a mini-meltdown at about 2 weeks post op, 4 weeks and again at about 7 weeks. I was wondering what the heck I had done to myself and quite sure that I was one of the few that this would not work for... As you can see by looking at my avatar, nothing could be farther from the truth. It's absolutely normal for your body to take a 'deep breath' somewhere in the first month and experience a stall. The weight loss will pick up again. Just keep with your program and know that your body has just gone through signicant trauma, followed by a significant reduction in caloric intake. It took it a while, but as soon as it realized that there was a famine on, it decided to hunker down and protect those precious fat reserves you have stored away. The good news is that holding onto those reserves just isn't a battle that your body can win. The scales will start moving again. I promise.

In the meantime, be sure to go for walks outside so that you can feel the warm light of day shining on your pretty face. It really will help with your sense of well-being and allow you to get in some much needed exercise. Be sure to get in enough calories. Check with your program to see what their advise is on this subject, it varies from program to program, but mine required an intake of about 900 calories a day. This was enough to ensure a steady and rapid weight loss while also ensuring that there were enough calories to keep the fires burning. Be sure that you are getting in your fluids and supplements.

Keep coming here when you need support. We're here and will listen and support you.

If you can, come to the support group meeting next weekend in Raleigh. We'd love to meet you and give you a hug.

I know it's hard now, but this too shall pass and I dare say that you'll be very glad you did this in a few weeks, months, and years from now.

Wishing you all the best,

Barb

Hang in there.  You're experiencing the first of what will probably be many stalls.  It's completely normal.  It's also completely normal to wonder "what have I done to myself?"  Things will look up.  It's a good sign that the food is settling well.  But if you're truly experiencing a lot of pain, give your Dr. a call & run it by him/her. 

I hit a stall at least once a month.  I know it's incredibly frustrating, but remember your body is going through huge changes with much less than it's used to.  It's going to stop losing sometimes just because it's in shock.  But keep following your "rules" and it WILL start up again.  Are you measuring your changes in any other way (like body measurements?)  If you track measurements, chances are you'll see those change in times when your weight is stalling.  Hang in there and try to keep your spirits up.  Drink what you can and get out for some walks, that will all help get things moving!

Hi Karen,
I haven't had my surgery yet and have no advice on that, but these people on here that have been there and done that are great for this. They know exactly what you're going thru. Please heed their advice and suggestions and take one day at a time and ride it out.
I just read your story in your profile. Go back and read it and get that feeling back that you had when you wrote you were certain you made the right decision.
You have a beautiful family. Look to the future for how much more you will be able to enjoy that sweet baby as he grows up.
Sincerely
Pam

I think we all hit stalls at differant times. If you are folowing the rules .....you have not choice but to loose weight. Just don't despare.....it is a long road but you will get there. Experiment with things carefully to see if you can tolerate them. I am in a still right now and am hoping to cross the hurdle. It will happen.

Thank you all for the support and suggestions. I go to see Dr Moran tomorrow for my 1 month check and I'm going to talk with him about things too.