I was banded less than 3 weeks ago, and everything has been going fine, but for some reason I'm depressed. Has anyone else experienced this? I don't know what to do. I don't even know why I'm depressed, but I'm sitting here crying for absolutely no reason and I haven't been able to drag myself to work in two days.

Is this common?

Yes, I did the same thing. Just about a month after banding. I don't know the reason either. I went to my PCP and got a Rx for an anti-depressant. I'm still taking it now. Things seem to have somoothed out and I am doing much better.

Maybe someone here has some insight on this? Is this a common occurance?

Terry :girl_hug:

We have all made a major life changing desission to change ourselves for the better. We have to say good bye to our old way

Your most likely going through mourning right now. I was talking to a friend this morning telling her the tough time I've been having lately and she said your going through a typw of mourning. That made sence to me before the banding and right after, but a year later? Well it does make sence and I think it will be an on and off thing for a very long time.

Hang tight, write your feelings in a journal and come here for hugs....

what you are feeling is quite normal, I think many of us felt the same way right after surgery. Food has been your best friend for many years. You have made a life changing decision getting your band, but not to worry this shall pass. Food will still be your friend but just in less quantities :girl_hug: . Once you start seeing results your depression will turn into sheer happiness.

Surgery and anesthesia itself can cause that, let alone being on a strict diet for a number of weeks, let alone all of the thoughts you go through about what you can't have, etc, etc. I think almost all of us went through it.

You'll feel better :girl_hug:

Derbygirl, as you see it is very normal. You will be fine, it just takes a little time for you and your body to get use to some things. If you are an emotional eater, you feel like you don't have any where to turn.

If you have not started exercising start today. Walking is the best thing after surgery even if it is just for a few minutes at a time. The endorphines from exercising is like chocolate, love and just a clean high. Enjoy!!!

I went through this same thing. I believe it was from anethesia because one day I was a crying mess and the next I was back to normal. All in all it lasted about 2 weeks. For me, I don't believe it was mourning food or stress from surgery...I really believe it was something hormonal or chemical based in my body. If it doesn't improve in a week or two you may want to talk to someone just to be safe. Good luck and happy recovery!

I think you are probably perfectly normal. When I had my final presurgery meeting at the doctor's office, they actually addressed this and said not to be surprised if about 3 weeks out I felt depressed...that it was very typical. I know that I have been far more emotional than normal over the past week or so -- tears welling up at the drop of a hat. This, too, shall pass. Each day we get stronger and stronger and stronger.

I had a 2-day weepy spell a couple of weeks out. And a few since then in the past 7 months. Most of the time I'm happier than I've been n a few years, but today was a sad feeling day. DH and I were in town running errands, I hadn't taken my "emergency food bag" with me and I was hungry - at least I think I was - maybe it was just that in years past we always ate out when we were in town and today there was nowhere I felt I could eat. And it made me realize once more how limited our social life has always been.....eating out has always been our main recreation. Without that, we really don't know what to do for entertainment. That's something I need to be working on now that I'm able to get out and about more.

Well another thing to consider too is hormone levels. When you lose weight quickly, the amount of Estrogen in your system is greatly increased. Stored fat is loaded with estrogen in women. Increased estrogen means increased emotions!! Drink lots of water! Flush that excess out.

I was feeling a little like that, but with prayer and help from my friends, and being able to come here, I fam now feeling better. It's hard to say goodbye to "constant eating". I have heard from many that a few months down the road, eating becomes a new experience: no more McDonalds..only quality food is appealing because you can eat so little. I can't wait!

The depression should pass.

:cool:

I think the about 3-4 weeks post op your body has adjusted to the band and you eat closer to normal for the first time since surgery and then the weight loss stops and you start to feel like the surgery did not work. What will work is patience! As you go in for fills and achieve restriction you start to understand that all things will fall into place. Good luck and it is OK to feel depressed and just understand that you snap out of it as time goes on.

Good luck and God Bless!

Kathy

Sacramento, CA

5/23/06 band date

Dr. Machado

23 pounds lost!

You should try shopping! Maybe new clothes for linens or sometning nice for you!

I started shopping a lot when I couldn't eat. I was using food as an emotional release, and when I couldn't do that, I moved to something else... now I just need to figure out how to deal with my emotions instead of spending money!

I think the about 3-4 weeks post op your body has adjusted to the band and you eat closer to normal for the first time since surgery and then the weight loss stops and you start to feel like the surgery did not work. What will work is patience! As you go in for fills and achieve restriction you start to understand that all things will fall into place. Good luck and it is OK to feel depressed and just understand that you snap out of it as time goes on.

I want to thank everyone for posting their experiences and helpful suggestions on this topic, and I especially want to thank Kathy. Girl, this is EXACTLY how I'm feeling right now. I lost weight like crazy, beginning with the pre-op diet....30 pounds in 3 weeks. I was psyched! Then I waited 10 days before weighing again...and I had only lost 3 more pounds.

I felt like I was eating next to nothing, of course, and my hunger was beginning to return, so I WAS starting to wonder if I'd made a mistake by spending every last dime I had on this surgery. Thank you so much for letting me know that this is a completely normal situation.

:nervous