LAN2k

It's really good to know your back home safe and forging ahead with your recovery. I'm also glad to know you've a husband there for you (he sounds like he's a good one) lucky you. Take everything slow and one day at a time and I am confident that you will fare very well. Thanks for getting back to us so soon. God bless.

Thanks for updating us. It really is upsetting to me that you've yet another surgery. I can't wait for this to be behind you and I pray for your comfort and speedy recovery through out. God speed and care Tiffy. xxooxx

Thank you HH, I agree with you entirely. I am learning this as I go. I've one psychiatrist that my psychologist (who works with bariatric WLS patients) says she knows of who is in her opinion excellent and the only doctor she refers her patients to. I tried elsewhere since her referral is such a distance from where I live but in the event that I don't get genuine relief from the psychiatrist I am consulting with now (who is just minutes from where I live), I will move on and try this other who is about an hour drive from me. What a task this has turned into. I'm trying to save my life here because living on this level is just so hard to bear and so burdensome on the few family members I've got in my life. My poor aging mother is devastated to see the state I'm in and my dear aging dad is trying so hard to be the strong young man he was years ago to support me. This is so painful to watch when I should be the one supporting them. Thanks for the support. I'll keep you all up to date as it goes.

Hey Daisy, Yeah I will try this generic form of Remeron and hope for the best. Before the surgery I had my same ups and downs but I was a whole fully functioning person able to cope. Now I fully realize I didn't become obese because I didn't use food as a coping mechanism. I did. I ate healthy, organic, and spent loving times with people sharing meals but I ate too much. Having this element of my life both the healthy eating and the over eating suddenly whisked away has had for me unfortunately a devastating impact and most definitely contributed to this unrelenting anxiety and depression. That said I do feel that there have been many hormonal changes with such a large part of the stomach removed and such a rapid weight loss....serotonin is produced in the stomach as well as ghrelin. although my surgeon agrees he doesn't have any answers for the connection between this and emotions and brain chemistry. He told me that he doesn't get involved with the emotional or mental health of his patients after the surgery. He will just refer you to see a psychologist.

Susan thank you so much for sharing this openly. I am very glad that the Prozac is working well for you. Is it actually Prozac or are you on the generic form of it? The problem I've been having with SSRI's (is Prozac an SSRI?) is that I can't eat!!! food repulses me to the point of gagging and barfing just looking at it. I have one more psychiatrist in mind if this one doesn't help me. It looks like this is going to be a long process but I pray it gets resolved by the spring as I need to live a relatively normal life. Right now I don't even care to get dressed each day, no make up, I don't even care that I'm losing weight. I've no libido all i do is manage my anxiety with pills and try to get in enough Fluid and Protein so I don't die. this is no way to live. thanks again Susan and bless you too for sharing.

I am amazed at what you have gone through but it doesn't surprise me. My problems with anxiety and depression began right after the surgery. Since then I've been seeking help desperately. I've been paying a psychologist out of pocket $100.00 per week just to sit and chat for an hour. I don't yet know if my health insurance will reimburse me any portion of that but soon my visits will have to stop if I don't get money back. I can see how superficial this is all to them we are just dollars and cents in their bank accounts really..and bottom line it's all experimental. I give YOU so much credit for what you have done for yourself through discipline and natural alternative supplementation. Deep within I know that that is where I really want to be. I do NOT want to end up on an antidepressant drug for life nor go through these horrendous side effects trying different drugs to "fix" me. Something changed within my chemistry after having this surgery and if it were not so severe I'd forsake these doctors and their meds. but I've barely been able to function. You my friend are an inspiration and I'd love to know more about what natural supplements and dosages you take to manage your life when you have the inclination and/or the time. You can PM me if you prefer. In the meanwhile I'll plug along and hope for no further complications and that this depression and anxiety will just leave me! I am picking up that prescription tomorrow for the Remeron (generic of course) and just hope I don't go through another mini hell with side effects etc. thanks a bunch for opening up as you have here. I must say I am very proud of you for finding a way for yourself. God bless your soul.

Wow thank you so much for sharing your situation here. I have not started the Mirtazipine yet but my prescription is also for 15 mg. Do you have trouble waking in the morning? Are you tired all of the next day? I want relief from anxiety and depression and I'd like to be able to at least enjoy a bit more of a variety of food but I sure don't want to feel lethargic day and night. Please keep me updated on how this drug continues to effect you and let me know of any side effects especially if you should have any. Also when your dosage is increased please let me know if the side effects you are already encountering do fade. Thanks again for sharing, it means alot to me.

Thinoneday, I pray for things to change for the better within your family structure. Do the best you know and then "let go and let God". And thank you for your heartfelt warmth and caring. Itstime, Thank God that there is love between your son in law ans his children, your grandchildren. It hurts so much when we watch our own kids suffer or do the wrong things and then when they have children the hurt just multiplies, unless somehow things really do change for the better. I turn to God he's got to be there and hear my prayers. I pray for all of us who are watching in pain. Thanks so much for understanding. Lis

I've had back pain and odd pain under my left breast. I have no gallbladder. I'm wondering too about the pains.

MiniMe, I have only met with this psychiatrist twice. I can't say if I trust her. She seemed thorough during the consultation but during the second visit she seemed a little impatient with my questions, annoyed maybe that I was consuming more of her time than I was slotted for. She also spoke in broad generalizations quickly regarding drug classifications, dosages, side effects ect. I don't know how comfortable I am with her. When I tried the low dose of Zoloft for 5 days and then (as per her instruction) upped it to the full 25mg pill...I found I couldn't eat and was nauseous and my anxiety rose, diminishing the effect of the clonzapan. When I called her she seemed to question me as if it wasn't making sense to her as if I hadn't followed her instruction. I had to be firm but was uneasy nonetheless. She prescribed the Remeron in a low dose and took me off the Zoloft. I don't know much about the Remeron but it's not an SSRI and won't have antidepressant effects until the dosage is raised. It is supposed to increase appetite and that for me is good. But I don't want to be hooked on a sedative to be able to sleep at night. I'd rather be on a Lexapro SSRI which controls both anxiety and depression but being post op I'm finding the SSRI's are stopping me from eating anything and that is really anxiety producing since I eat so little already. FreeToBeMe, Remeron's classification is "Tetracyclic, or noradrenergic, or selective serotonergic, or NaSSAs. I just read alot of stuff about it and as would be the case, side effects are eerie. I'm actually afraid to even try the drug but I will and keep you informed. I will be very interested to know how you fare on Celexa or Lexapro after you are sleeved in recovery. Do you know if you will need to discontinue it the few days before or after the surgery? I am wondering if it will have an effect on your appetite after you've been sleeved. It seems I am so much more sensitive to everything since being sleeved. I also just read that carbohydrates help to enhance and elevate the mood. Since this surgery requires and hasn't much room for more than Protein I think I can see a connection that may be contributing to my own personal depression since the surgery. I am taking in some carbs though since I won't consume artificial sweeteners and drink Vitamin Water, and eat some green veggies. Well let's keep this line of communication going. Please remind me of your surgery date again? Thanks.

I seem to be belaboring the issue I suppose but I am in the process of trial and error, with antidepressant medications. So far I've tried Wellbutrin and Zoloft (both in generic versions). Both meds caused my anxiety to skyrocket and my appetite to plunge. I could hardly even look at food. Now I am on psychiatrist #2 she is starting me on something called Remeron (but generic of course!) It is taken before bedtime and acts as a sedative in a low dose which I will start with. As the dosage increases it's supposed to act as an antidepressant and increase the appetite. I just am wondering if anyone out there has had any experience taking it and can tell me of their experience, pros, cons, side effects etc...or any success with any other antidepressant medication since having the VGS. I'm sort of skeptical about taking this drug because right now I am able to sleep without any sedative and don't want to become dependant upon anything to be able to sleep. As most of you know I am already taking Clonzapam (generic fro Klonopin) for anxiety as needed.

Tiff I am in disbelief that you now have to undergo gallbladder surgery. I have been so wrapped up in my own anxiety and depression that I'm barely functioning. When I read this my body went weak. I thank God that you connected to the right surgeon and that your husband will be home for you. You have been through so much and that really hurts my heart but it also will give you the strength and courage to get through this. Please know that I am praying for you to the great physician, that his hands are in your surgeons hands every second during that procedure...and there to comfort and ease you through your recovery. You are like a sister to us all and if I were able I'd be there with you to help in any way I could.

I found that wrapping a velcro binder around my entire mid section was very helpful. Although the hospital didn't provide me with one I saved the one from a previous upper abdominal surgery from a very accomodating hospital and staff. It helped me keep my mid section and belly fat from weighing down on me when I moved around. I had 2 drains at home and I was still able to use it. I even wore it when I was able to drive. I wore it until I was completely healed. You can get one at a surgical supply store if your physician won't provide you with one.

I pray that Stacie is getting some relief and that we hear from her soon. I pray that your issue will resolve itself Mountain Lover. Please let us know of any developments and of the outcome of your next visit to your doctor in March. God be with us.

you can actually do excercises while in your seat by squeezing your butt muscles, together with your thighs and pointing your toes up and then down. You can repeat this as much as you want and it will help to keep the blood circulating.

I found the book on Amazon.com also at fairly low prices for the used ones which are from my previous experience in good to nearly new condition. Good find you can look through some of the pages at amazon. Thanks for posting.

I am looking to start a local support group for sleevers in the the Long Island, NY area. Please if anyone in the vicinity is interested let me know.

I am 4+ months out and am having the same problem. Eating is such an effort and I must say that nothing appeals to me. This has happened before when I was put on antidepressant medication. Because of such a loss of appetite I went off the medication and was again able to at least find some foods appealing. Since I am suffering with anxiety and depression I was started again on Zoloft at a low dose but the same thing is happening and I haven't desire nor will to eat. Are you on any medication that may be causing this I wonder?

I had a drain in and like Tiffy said it was to drain excess fluid, in my case it was blood and I had to record the amounts and times each time I emptied the bulb that filled with the blood. I had it in the hospital for the 5 days I was there and then about a week at home before it was removed at my first follow up visit.

I'm sympathetic to your situation. Although different having raised my grandson since he was a babe in a diaper and now (at 14yrs old) giving him up to his mother (my daughter), it really hurts to know that he is not nurtured nor tended to as I feel he should be. She is single and has a cultivated social life and she works 5 nights a week. He spends so much time alone and she has him convinced that I "babied him". We only live a couple of miles apart and yet I hardly see him. I offered to sit in at least 2 or 3 of the weeknights she works but she said it was not necessary he was a young man who can handle his "responsibilities" without having me around. Imagine that I spent 12.5 years of my life together with him and she is totally insensitive to the fact that he wants to see more of me, and there is opportunity and good reason for him to. These things hurt and are very painful. I pray to God each and every day to cover him and soften her hard heart. I don't get into confrontations with her because it will only make matters more difficult and hurt him. Do the best you can is all I can say and if you believe in God, pray daily.

The bottom line is ....underneath it all there is lots of hurting going on here. I know you are hurting pretty badly and I'm sorry really sorry for such a situation. I hope you can find a network of support people close by to you to help you effectively deal with your son in the "tough love" way that sometimes works to really change people. You need love and support yourself and I will pray for you and your family that somehow someway there will be growth and reconciliation. Hang in there. I know what that kind of heartache feels like.

Thank you for being here for me. God Bless you.

Unbelievable how these anti-depressant drugs all have side effects. Since this surgery I have lost nearly total desire for anything too sweet, even natural fresh fruit. So far I am weaning onto zoloft with a very small "geriatic" dose...tomorrow I increase the dose to the full pill of 25mgs. I have noticed a loss of appetite even with the 12.5mg dose but I am going to try to stick it out as long as I can force feed myself just enough to get by. Remeron might be a good choice if it lifts anxiety and depression since everything else I've tried has caused me not to want to eat. It's all a method of trial before the right drug treatment for anxiety/depression comes along. I'm hoping the Zoloft will work since I am so tired of taking meds for anxiety which just won't go away.

I just want to thank you Tiffy for sharing your story with Stacie. I hope it gives her hope and helps her get through.

Thank you so much Daisy I really appreciate your understanding.