Having a Hard time

Hello everyone I know I havent been here at all lately.. but time to time i stop in and read posts... I have been in my own little world... I think my mild depression has come back and I dont quite understand why.. being that Im losing weight I should be so happy... but Im not. I know I have posted that its been hard to stay on my routine of taking my vitamins and protein drinks.. if im lucky i get 1 shake in a day... i just had one.. and my vitamins i just had them... yesterday for example i had 1 vitamin and no shakes : (( anyways my hair has always been thin but thicker then it is now... and i had hair down to the middle of my back.... but since its thinning out.... it looked to thin cuz of the length so i had to get it cut off its now to my shoulders : (( i know i need to drink the protein.... i know i do... and no one can help me unless I help myself first.... I have been stuck at 50 pounds for a month... my surgery was november 15th and i know if i worked out and walked id probably of lost another 15 pounds on top of what i have. I graze to much : ( PLEASE tell me im not alone in this and this will get better.... i just want to feel good.... i feel healthy its not that its just why wont i take care of what i need too when it comes to my surgery. on the good note...... i was a size 20 im now in size 14 : )) THANKS ALL.... Jackie i know i have missed acouple meetings.. i dont want to miss anymore i NEEEEEEED to go so when is the next one? Beth

Hiya Beth !! That is great that you have lost 50lb !!! That is still alot of weight girly !! You are NOT alone. I am a terrible grazer and am trying to get control over it NOW before I blow everything I have accomplished. Each day I tell myslf that it is a new day and try again. One thing I am doing now is not buying all the graze foods. You know...the crackers, chips for the kids' lunches, Sf cookies..the South Beach ones get the best of me. I can't rest until they are gone. Remember..we have "a tool" not a cure for our problem. It is very hard for me at times because my hunger has come back. I have my one year appointment with my WL surgeon this Thursday so I will discuss all this with him then too. The hair loss thing...don't kick yourself. Yes, being protein and vitamin defficent can cause some hair loss but Gastric Bypass patients who lose hair are physically under alot of stress for the first year. When this happens hair follicles go into a resting phase. This is called Telogen Effluvium. No amount of protein or vitamin compliance will reverse this. Some women experiance hair loss after childbirth. It can happen after surgery and other times of high stress. It DOES come back. Most people stop losing so much at about 9 months or so. As soon as mine stopped coming out by the handfuls I elected to start plastic surgery and it started again. It will grow back...remember that. As for getting better...I can't promise that. I know I have to deal with this everyday of my life !!! I hate it but I try the best as I can. But no..you are not alone !!! Congrats on the size 14 !! Be easy on yourself and praise yourself on your accomplishments !!! Recognize your short comings..set your goals..try and try again !! You are human !! Dana

Beth- I find that I'm not as compliant as I'd like to be either. I can't for the life of me figure out how to get in that last dose of calcuim I'm supposed to take...and shakes/protein drinks...they're a bit hit or miss for me. Exercise...ugh...don't get me started...when will I learn to do this so I can see better results!? As for the depression...I'm right there with you. Mine hit early (a few weeks out), but it still lingers. Some days are easier and better than others, but some days I just want to stay in bed and cry. NOW, I say that knowing that I have a lot of non-WLS stresses in my life right now too. I'm maintaining and trying to be really kind to myself and listening to my body (for sleep and just plain stopping). I'm hoping that the extra hormones (from losing weight quickly) floating around will level off and the depression will too. I've got my fingers and toes crossed! Here's the thing.....we have a tool. We're still learning to use it. Be kind to yourself, but also realize that the longer it takes you (us!) to learn the ways of the pouch, the more in danger we are of developing other serious complications due to lack of vitamins or protein. You're not alone....you're brave to come here and reach out for help. Christina S

Hi Beth! It is so good to hear from you. 50 lbs, and into a 14 is a great accomplishment. Remeber taht you are getting into prime "stall" time. Your body is trying to adjust to the loss, you may find that even though the scales aren't moving, the inches are and you might start changing sizes. Keeping up with your proteins and vitamins will help tremendously. Rember that your physical well being can affect your mental well being. For every fat cell we lose, those hormones that were stored in the cell are redistrubted into our bodies, that is where the depression comes in. You are not alone. I had a major rough time with mine. Some days it sneaks up on me still. The hair loss will get better. My doc suggested adding the Omega 3 vitamin to my regimen. Start pushing yourself to get on track. Set an alarm clock to remember your vitamins. Find a different way to do your protein so you will enjoy it more. Remember we are here for you. Courtney

Hey Beth I am sorry to hear that you have been so depressed! Please feel free to call me anytime if you want to discuss..... You probably should go ands see the doctor about your depression and see if they will give you something for it - being more cheerful may make you feel better about what you need to do in order to get the most from your surgery........ Our next meeting is April 18th - we have changed buildings too - and Sally Myers the nutritionist will be there - so if you are needing nutrition help she will be the best person to ask!! Take care Jackie

Hi Beth..well frist off CONGRATULATIONS on lossing 50 lbs..I follow your post all the time lol.,I had my surgery 1 month ofter you. Dec 11, 2006 am down 63 lbs sofar but belive me I dont know how I did it..I went from a size 18 to 14..Am one of the UN LUCKLY ONES. That can eat ANYTHING..And I mean anything. it dose even feel like I have a new tool. I can eat all types of meat, suger etc..But I do try to watch what I eat. an for graze someday i graze all day long..The protein drinks I think sofar the whole time after my surgery I might have had maybe 6. But I do eat other stuff with protein in them. The vitamins some day am good an take them all some days I don't take none..I havent loss no hair yet. But that dont mean I wont. depression I don't have went throw that when I was getting my divocer..meeting I have never been to one. I would love to go to them. The doc who did my surgery ret 1 month after my surgery I went to see him at my 3 week check up 6 week an that was it..I dont know who to go to now. I would love to meet you or maybe talk with you on the phone because I think where somewhat alike in ways. This message board is great belive me I don't know if you rember but right after I had my surgery I post on the board saying that I can eat candy chips etc..And I had member yell at me. Whatch I loved because that made me say go ahead maria keep on doing what your doing now an your weight will never leave you..I hope I get to meet you an some of the members on here in person. If you need a shoulder to lean on am here for you..take care Maria