May be something is wrong...

Janie Jackson · July 10, 2004

Hello everyone. I was banded on 5-6-04. Ihave lost 29 lbs. I have heard that when you start to loose weight that you get more energy. I keep waiting for that to happen, but I just want to sleep all the time and the smallest chores seem overwhelming to me. I know I have had some depression but I think thats just from trying to adjust to my new eating style. I think I struggle with quantity, like popcorn I would really like to eat the whole bag. I drink all of my Water and take my flintstone Vitamins and my B-12 under my toung and I eat mostly protien. I havent been able to exercise because of knee pain. (I WENT TO THE DR . TODAY ABOUT IT) Has anyone else experienced this. Will my energy kick in or IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG? Thank you to anyone who will talk to me...Love Janie

La_madam · July 10, 2004

Janie

I noticewhenever my calorie intake is low forthe day I get real lethargic and sleepy. I too take my Vitamins and get in all my Protein but I still have days whenI'm real tired. Try tracking your calories for the day and see how many you are consuming.Anything under 1200 is going to make you so tired. Atleastfor me it does. Just a thought..

New Hope · July 10, 2004

I agree with Michelle. Also, are you getting your Water in? That's the hardest thing for me to do. Have you had any bloodwork run lately? Perhaps you need that checked...for anemia, thyroid, blood sugar, hormones, etc. Best of luck to you!

texasbelle · July 11, 2004

Janie.....you made want to try www.fitday.com for logging you intake especially keeping up with your Protein. It helps me. Before Fitday I had no real idea about how many calories my portions were. Although, I thought of myself as a diet expert..lol. I keep my measurments there as well as a emotion index. It keeps track of everything.

Carolyn

MeganA · July 11, 2004

Janie-

I agree with everyone about your calaroic intake...but there may be something else at play here.

You talk about depression- and maybe there is something to that?

I know for me the first four months were terribly hard emotionally. I had put in place a tool that prevented me from using food to numb everything and I didn't know what to do with myself without it. I was lost.

I very much feel that I had to go through all the stages of grief with my band.

Denial (this isn't happening to me!)

Anger (why is this happening to me?)

Bargaining (I promise I'll be a better person if...)

Depression (I don't care anymore)

Acceptance (I'm ready for whatever comes)

I spent a lot of time in anger- mostly at myself. My therapist once told me that depression can be anger turned inward- and that's me! I take all my anger and direct it at myself...so the negative self talk became overwhelming and if I stayed in bed I wouldn't hear it. I didn't want to see anyone I knew, I didn't want to work, I didn't even want to watch tv.

I felt like my skin was new- as if I were a snake and I had shed my old skin and was left with new, raw, tender skin. Oprah made me cry every day. I couldn't watch the evening news. I wasn't a very good friend to my friends-- their needs overwhelmed me.

I have no idea if any of this sounds like you...but if it does, concider going to see someone. If you can't, or really don't want to, then reach out to a good friend, your mom, someone who is a good listener.

Once I started talking about everything that was going on in my head, it had a lot less control over me. Plus, I had to learn some new ways of dealing with stress and fear. Now I go for a walk, cross stich, call a friend, clean out my closet, organize my office, sit and really feel what I am avoiding feeling.

Alright, so this post was a little close to my heart, I think that's why I'm so long winded here :-)

The biggest message I can give you is this- you're going to be ok, you're not alone, and you can count on all of us here to help!

Megan

New Hope · July 11, 2004

Megan, I think you've been reading my mind!

New Hope · July 11, 2004

Janie, I've been like a zombie all weekend. I told my husband that I think the Culex mosquito must have bitten me.

sascijo · July 12, 2004

Megan,

I think your post was close to a lot of our hearts too! I am so happy you are better.

I can relate to everything you said... I too am better. It is amazing when I look back at the things that I thought were so important, and they don't seem nearly as tragic or serious now. Self esteem is such a sneaky thing. It can fluctuate up or down with every breath I take. I am learning to like me, and learning my self worth does not depend on a "mans love or attention", or what my family or people around me think of me... It didn't happen overnight, but it is happening and I truly like "Terry". Don't get me wrong, I am not "fixed" and I may never be completely , but I like where I am and I can live with it. At one time I wouldn't even go outside and sit in the lawn chairs because I thought every car that drove by was laughing at the fat woman sitting outside. Another time I was walking down the street and some roofers starting laughing and jeering at me.. They even started barking at me like a dog... I was so embarrassed, I cried.... I should have flipped them off and called them white trash, but instead I cried... So to each of you that are fighting low self esteem, or depression for whatever reason, keep typing, posting, and find someone to tell your feelings to. This seems to be a very caring and loving group that genuinely cares. I know I do......

claraluz · July 12, 2004

You don't say how long you've been feeling this way. Have you felt like this ever since being banded?

I think your first task is to figure out whether you are feeling this way because of a physical problem or whether it is because of depresssion. No matter why you are depressed, wanting to sleep and not wanting to do daily chores are two symptoms of depression. I think it might be worth discussing this with your regular doctor. There are numerous conditions which can cause fatigue. If the doctor can't find anything wrong, then you might want to see a therapist. There are SO many issues that come up for many bandsters. Two big ones have already been mentioned: Not being able to numb ourselves with food and struggles with self-esteem.

I hope you feel better soon.

Nancy

hagerteresa · July 12, 2004

I think the surgery itself provides some level of stress to. I kind of felt tired and dumpy the first couple of months. I find my energy is slowly increasing now though. I think you may just need to give it more time to heal all the way around. Also losing weight releases hormones that will surely cause emotional rollercoaster feelings. Best wishes to you, Teresa

Janie Jackson · July 13, 2004

Thanks soooo much for all of your posts. The advice is very good. I am actually feeling some what better. I am trying to eat right and get all of my Water in. Now I am constipated though. But thats o.k.I feel better and thats the main thing. I have been afraid of the scales because I havent felt like I had lost any more weight. But today I get on the scales and now I am down 33lbs. That perked me up also. If I have any more setbacks I will go to the .doctor.

Also the knee doctor put me on some new medecine and my knee is feeling better so I think I will take up walking again. Especially thanks Megan you really hit it on the nail. I wish I could give you all a big hug... Thanks soooo much...Love Janie:)

hagerteresa · July 13, 2004

Try Water aerobics. It is a lot of fun and very low stress on the joints. I hate excercise and this is the one thing I found that I truly love doing. Teresa