One Week PostOp
Long time lurker--first time poster!
I am one week out and still on clear liquids. Head hunger and depression has taken over. I see doctor tomorrow so hopefully moving on to full liquids will help. I'm doing okay otherwise...the side with the big incision hurts still when I move but other than that I'm good.
Looking for some encouragement that I made the right choice and can get past this initial depression. Any words of advice are most appreciated.
jody
Hi Jody
Congrats on your surgery! My best combat for the depression was to make sure to build in my periods of walking each day. I felt like I was accomplishing something (albeit slowly at first for sure)! and I am sure the endorphins released truly helped too. This phase does pass. Once you start to feel stronger, you will also start to see the scale moving and of course that always makes you feel better! But no matter what, keep telling yourself that you did this to make yourself healthier and that every day you are improving your health.
Take care!
Jenn Highest weight: 278. Starting weight: 275. Surgery weight: 253. Month 1: 25 lbs. Month 2: 8.8 lbs. Month 3: 12.6 lbs. Month 4: 7 lbs. Onederland 7/29/2013. Month 5: 7 lbs. Month 6: 5 lbs. Months 7-9: self-induced maintenance, then 5 lb gain.
Promise it will get better! I had a VERY ROUGH week and a half and feel soooo much better now at only 2 weeks out. I cried every day too. A LOT. I haven't in a few days though. Hang in there!
*Alana* HW: 277.3, SW:267.8
Pre Op: -9.5, M1: - 21.8, M2: -12.8 M3: -11.4 M4: -12.7 M5:-13 M6: -8.4 M7 - 14.4 M8: -4.6
Hi Jody,
Welcome! Congratulations on your surgery. It sounds like you are recovering well, and moving forward with your healing.
The surgery and rapid weight loss does play havoc with the emotions. Its all normal and it will pass. Just keep your eye on the prize. You are going to be so much healthier, and more mobile in a few months.
So hang in there, and be gentle with yourself. Its hard to be patient. I'm about 6 weeks out now, and I'm impatient for having normal meals again. But 6 months from now we can share our success stories!
best wishes,
Carol
Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385, Surgery Weight 333, Current Weight 160. At GOAL!
Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12 8-8
9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3 18-3
I'm a month out and just starting on solids. I can tell you that it gets A LOT easier. Clear liquids are the worst. During that phase I had some intense head hunger and depression. It really does get better. Hang in there!
Lindsay ~ 5'4" ~ HW (5/6/13): 280 ~ SW (5/17/13): 273 ~ CW: 140
Losses by month: pre-op: -8 M1: -18 M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -9 M5: -10 M6: -12 M7: -14 M8: -12 M9: -2 M10: -8 M11: -9 M12: -2 M13: -6 M14: -7
I'm 3 days til surgery here and this is one of the big things I'm worried about, since I struggle with depression already! I'm on Day 3 of 5 of clear liquids, and my surgeon requires 2 full weeks of clears after surgery. I might add, OY. Thinking about that makes me crazy. So I'm doing my best to stay in the moment, not take too much on, because when I do my depression kicks in.
Basic "dealing with low-grade depression" advice is find something that brings you happiness and embrace it... maybe you love music... keep it pumping in the background. Maybe you are a talker - pick up the phone and talk to people about their lives. Ask for support whatever. Maybe you're a nature lover - head outside, get some sun, and let that help you heal.
You're in a tough time right now - depression is normal after surgery, not just this kind of surgery. Your body is sending all its good stuff to the parts of you that need to heal; once your body normalizes you should feel happy again naturaly. But until your body gets there, exercise 'extreme self-care' (a nice depression word for be super extra nice to yourself) and put yourself first.
If your depression worsens, call your doctor. If your depression is acute and you aren't thinking clearly, go to the ER immediately.
HW 259 SW 251 CW 217 M1-20.5 M2 -7.5 M3 -4 M4 -2
I am a week from surgery and was also worried about depression as I have fought it most of my adult life. The counselors made a point that depression can happen after surgery but my surgeon have given me permission to take the l-tryptophan tablets that keep it at bay so I am not quite so worried now. (neither one of us wants me to become depressed, I guess) I also have a plan to start my walking and keep to a schedule while I convalesce.
Luckily the program calls for only 2 DAYS of clear liquids post surgery, not 2 weeks. That would be bumming me out too!
Jan D. 5'-8", highest wt 231, surgery wt 213
Are you walking? If not, you may find that an endorphin release from walking helps to counteract those blues.
Hang in there, girl!
Sleeved 6/12/13 - 100 pounds lost to get to goal!
Hi Jody,
Please believe what folks have said here. IT DOES GET BETTER!!! I am almost 5 weeks post surgery and started back to work today and I feel great. I cried for several days after I came home from the hospital and struggled with the gas pain. Please get outside and walk if you can. It WILL make a BIG difference! You made the right decision to start a new journey and we are all here with you. 
Peggy
