Depression/Anxiety and Maintenance

[cookie2012 44]

Hi Everyone

Congratulations to all the people who have decided to take the plunge to have a sleeve. I was sleeved a year ago and I have reached my goal quicker than intended because of depression/anxiety. I am finding it very difficult to eat and prepare food - have just today started taking Lovan to get me back on track again after trying to fight it on my own without medication. My starting weight was 105kg and I now weigh 60kg - down to a sz8 which is ridiculous! I know I should go back and see the dietician but it is all too much at the moment for me.

[Camella 209]

Hi Cookie

Congrats on your weight loss - I'm yet to be sleeved (had my first appointment with the doc yesterday) but I know a lot about anxiety and depression and have a balanced diet is REALLY important to your mental health - so going to dietician may help with your mood. When you are trying to recover from depression its often best to come at it from a few angles. Sunshine, balanced food intake & exercise (even if you just force yourself to walk for 10 mins) has really helped me, plus meds. I hope it passes soon and that your medication kicks in.

[Globetrotter 1,340]

I was just thinking about the physiological link between obesity/overeating/thyroid disorders/depression. I am currently doing an alternate days fasting plan and I've noticed that on days when I am fasting I am super depressed, just listless and filled with negative thoughts. Have I been self-medicating all these years? Chemically depressed, not realizing it, and medicating with carbs? I'm completely serious.

[Rox 200]

I have hypothyroidism, am obese, and have been chronically depressed off and on for years. I also crave sugar and carbs. I am taking thyroid meds, and two antidepressants - still fat. I truly believe there is a link and I do think that carbs for some reason makes me feel better. The original poster got depressed after her surgery, when you can only eat Protein and drink, and later lost all interest in cooking and eating - because when you can only eat 4 or 5 ozs. you can't waste that room with any carbs or sweets - Proteins 1st

[Rox 200]

To Cookie 2012 - you did the right thing by getting help. It may take a couple of weeks for your medication to kick in, and for you to start feeling better. When you feel better you can see a dietitian, and go out into the sunshine - I know you don't feel like it right now, but please, keep taking the meds and if this med doesn't do the trick, try another one. You've obviously lost the weight because eating and cooking don't appeal to you. I can imagine that cooking is not any fun when you can only eat 4 bites. Please let us know when you're feeling better.

[cookie2012 44]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have a long history of depression and anxiety and actually this is why I ended up obese. I was hospitalised in 2004 for 6 weeks, put on a few different medications, just wanted to sleep all the time and put on so much weight in the following year. Over the years my weight increased and no matter what I did I couldn't keep it off. I weighed 65kg when I went into hospital and had never been obese. My original diagnosis was PTSD. My sleeve has nothing to do with my depression at all and when I am not depressed I really enjoy cooking and eating. Depression makes it difficult to be enthusiastic about much but I am looking forward to the medication kicking in. My issue is related to my self worth and trust since I have met a beautiful man and we have been together for 5mths. I keep expecting the worst! I will get there with medication and seeing a psychologist.

[Crazypants 36]

Thinking of you cookie!!! You are brave and inspire me! Sleeved a few days ago.

[LizC 48]

I was just thinking about the physiological link between obesity/overeating/thyroid disorders/depression. I am currently doing an alternate days fasting plan and I've noticed that on days when I am fasting I am super depressed' date=' just listless and filled with negative thoughts. Have I been self-medicating all these years? Chemically depressed, not realizing it, and medicating with carbs? I'm completely serious.[/quote']

I'm wondering if the same thing is going on with me as well. I've noticed I've become more introverted and not wanting to get out and be social even though I've been outgoing my whole life. I literally just want to lay in bed all day.

[cookie2012 44]

Liz it sounds like you are depressed. Please make some time to go and talk to your doctor. Don't put yourself through the suffering I have to get to this point. I have only taken my first half dose of Lovan and already my mood has improved. Liz I'm not suggesting that you run off to your doctor to get medication talking to a professional is helpful and you never know it may well be a physical cause for your current state of mind.

[Globetrotter 1,340]

I see no joy in life, no point, no hope. It just seems like an endless marking of time, even though I know quite well how finite our time is. Even though I love exercising and get high off of it like it is an actual drug, I haven't been to the gym in over a week. No matter what I do I don't lose weight and am still obese. Even though I am pretty and funny and considerate men just look right through me or just want one thing from me and thats it. There's just no point to any of it. I'm sick of being nothing, I'm sick of being so f*cking fat.

[Karen Nicholas McCall 0]

Get outside and take the focus off yourself. It really works! My Mom use to say this all the time and if you start doing something that you like, it will stop us all from being so self absorbed. One thing leads to another. There are a lot of people who could be helped by taking the focus off of how they are feeling and make the day brighter for someone else!

[Vital Edge 0]

Hi Everybody, I know how you all feel. This is my first ever post on any forum. I had Gastric sleeve Nov 2012. lost 40 kgs and counting. Yippy For me!!! So why am I so low. 2 months ago I suffered stress in the workplace, I went to my Dr and now I'm on anti depressants. I 2 Months later my life is soooo up the creek. I'm on drugs that change my thought processes and have put my employment at risk. I have discovered B12 explained to me by a friend. Look it up learn about it before it's too late B12 is cheap, Get a serum B12 hcy MMA blood tests first before hand from your Dr. DONOT take No for an answer. Read or lookup Sally Pacholok Could it be B12 may change your life., Spread the word for the better Cheers All

[EggWithLegs 23]

I'm wondering if the same thing is going on with me as well. I've noticed I've become more introverted and not wanting to get out and be social even though I've been outgoing my whole life. I literally just want to lay in bed all day.

Oh man, there has to be a link. But I do believe in the power of modern medicine. If you need them they are a god send. You might be lucky and only need them for awhile until you get your old self back. I'm on them for life, which I'm fine with. Antidepressants really do help. Sadly so does creamed filled donuts. Lol.

[EggWithLegs 23]

I see no joy in life, no point, no hope. It just seems like an endless marking of time, even though I know quite well how finite our time is. Even though I love exercising and get high off of it like it is an actual drug, I haven't been to the gym in over a week. No matter what I do I don't lose weight and am still obese. Even though I am pretty and funny and considerate men just look right through me or just want one thing from me and thats it. There's just no point to any of it. I'm sick of being nothing, I'm sick of being so f*cking fat.

Are you post surgery?

[Sherylnkent 2]

I hear you all on this! I've been big/fat ALL my life even though I was really active. I was a nurse until I got breast cancer then my 18 year marriage ended, got back on track, worked mental health and then something less stressful, a Phlebotomist. Then 2.5 years ago I was forced into retirement at 48 with a broken back and neck due to some F@@k wit running into me! I met a man in that time, married and thought life was perfect. Oh, I had the band put in to help with weight loss for my back. Now, I find I am SO depressed. Nothing I do seems right, I'm in constant pain with my back and neck, I've just had shoulder surgery also re the accident, yes I'm on anti-depressants, but no matter what I do I can't shake this cloud, plus, I'd really love to have an orgasm... Nothing's working... Sorry, TMI