Depressed and Scared...will this work?

[blonde ambition 7]

Hi everyone,

I just had my gastric sleeve surgery on July 15th. It was a lot more painful upon waking then I had expected, since I usually have a pretty good pain tolerance. The first days, I felt depression about the way I felt, and my inability to eat anything. Then, I was kind of happy that my appetite was completely gone.

I had my follow up visit last Thursday, and I was down 14 lbs. The surgeon said that this was great.

But, there were several days that I just didn't eat or drink hardly anything. I was worried about not having enough calories, starvation mode, that kind of thing.

When I was on full liquids, I was trying a few bites of solid food, just to see what would happen (throw up, other reactions, etc). Nothing ever did. Right now I am on the soft foods stage. At first, I would feel a burning in my chest, which I was over-joyed that I did have the "full" signal. But, I was only able to eat like 8 Beans, or two bites of soft chicken. My surgeon said that this was because my new stomach was swollen, and that this would change soon.

So, I have noticed the past 3 days that I can eat more, and I'm scared. I'm worried about stretching my stomach. My mouth and my stomach seem to be at odds with each other, my brain hasn't caught up. My mind is stubbornly telling me to eat more, but I feel the full burning.

I have NO energy to exercise, and an inability to attend our hospital's support group.

My diet is a greek yogurt in the morning, try to drink 3 Protein Shakes per day (nectar, 23 g Protein each), try to get all of the Water, lunch a can of chicken, dinner maybe beans and chicken, something like that. I've lost 2 lbs since last Thursday, but I'm just nervous that I should be losing more.

No foods so far have caused any type of adverse reaction, even when I have forgotten to chew very well. I was surprised by that. I thought that sweets would make me sick, but unfortunately they do not. I've just forbidden that chocolate be brought into the household.

Also, I can't seem to have a bowel movement without coffee. I was not a coffee drinker before. I have been very constipated, but regardless of colace, Probiotics, aloe juice, laxatives, nothing seemed to work. I had a cup of coffee this weekend and it resulted in painful diarrhea, but at least it worked. I wasn't supposed to drink coffee, but I can't stand the scale not moving.

I'm sorry, this is a lot...I just want someone to talk to, someone to help. I am petrified that the sleeve won't work for me, that I'll screw it up.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

[BeagleLover 1,020]

It sounds like you know what to do and are following the plan... this will definitely work!

[dsdesigna 143]

Watch out for Beans they are packed with carbs and can stall weight loss. Actually all carbs. Try using MyFitnessPal to track your food intake, it has a bar code reader so you can have a more accurate picture of processed foods in your diet. I started out just guessing and found out that I wasn't eating nearly enough.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

And why can't you attend your support group?

[blonde ambition 7]

Thanks, dsdesigna. What does happen you don't get enough calories? I asked at the dr's office, but they were kind of vague. I will start using myfitnesspal again.

Edited August 8, 2014 by blonde ambition

[blonde ambition 7]

The support group is held in the evenings. I have 3 very young children, and need a baby-sitter, as my husband works second shift. I can drive for an hour to take them to my in-laws, which I am considering doing. I do think it would help.

I started a new career in sales this January, with basically no money coming in for a sitter. I used Care.com, but the several people I contacted did not work out. I'm joining the PTO this year, so I'm hoping to find local moms that can help me with my kids for situations like this.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I think the support group will help you. YOU need the support in real life. Yes, your kids and husband and new job all have demands on you. But you've got to demand some resources for YOU.

Good luck!

[blonde ambition 7]

Thank you VSGAnn2014. Really off topic question, but how do you get and integrate one of those body weight ticker things? I'm totally new to the forum world...been snooping for years, but never partaking until now! Thanks again.

[beachgurl84 456]

Thanks, dsdesigna. What does happen you don't get enough calories? I asked at the dr's office, but they were kind of vague. I will start using myfitnesspal again.

When you don't get enough calories to support your physical activities, your body can "store" fat. It can cause your metabolism to drop and actually cause you to gain wait. This isn't just for bariatric patients (I'm pre-op myself), this is in general. When you take in the right amount of calories, not too many, your body has fuel to burn plus it will use the stored calories to burn as well. Actually, that's a good analogy. It's like a car trying to run on fumes. You can't get anywhere with that. But when there's gas in the tank, you can go faster and further and still burn fuel.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Thank you VSGAnn2014. Really off topic question, but how do you get and integrate one of those body weight ticker things? I'm totally new to the forum world...been snooping for years, but never partaking until now! Thanks again.

See where your name is at the top right of the screen? Where it says: Hello blonde ambition

Click on your name. Then click on Tickers.

At that point you have a lot of choices to make about how you want your ticker(s) to look.

Good luck!

[BitterSweet* 835]

I second what beachgurl84 said. Additionally, these are the healing and recovery days where Protein deficits and dehydration will cause Hair loss months down the road. Trust your sleeve, trust the process, and get in your daily protein and Water consumption. You can do this!

[Angi~2014 52]

Hi everyone,

I just had my gastric sleeve surgery on July 15th. It was a lot more painful upon waking then I had expected, since I usually have a pretty good pain tolerance. The first days, I felt depression about the way I felt, and my inability to eat anything. Then, I was kind of happy that my appetite was completely gone.

I had my follow up visit last Thursday, and I was down 14 lbs. The surgeon said that this was great.

But, there were several days that I just didn't eat or drink hardly anything. I was worried about not having enough calories, starvation mode, that kind of thing.

When I was on full liquids, I was trying a few bites of solid food, just to see what would happen (throw up, other reactions, etc). Nothing ever did. Right now I am on the soft foods stage. At first, I would feel a burning in my chest, which I was over-joyed that I did have the "full" signal. But, I was only able to eat like 8 Beans, or two bites of soft chicken. My surgeon said that this was because my new stomach was swollen, and that this would change soon.

So, I have noticed the past 3 days that I can eat more, and I'm scared. I'm worried about stretching my stomach. My mouth and my stomach seem to be at odds with each other, my brain hasn't caught up. My mind is stubbornly telling me to eat more, but I feel the full burning.

I have NO energy to exercise, and an inability to attend our hospital's support group.

My diet is a greek yogurt in the morning, try to drink 3 Protein shakes per day (nectar, 23 g Protein each), try to get all of the Water, lunch a can of chicken, dinner maybe Beans and chicken, something like that. I've lost 2 lbs since last Thursday, but I'm just nervous that I should be losing more.

No foods so far have caused any type of adverse reaction, even when I have forgotten to chew very well. I was surprised by that. I thought that sweets would make me sick, but unfortunately they do not. I've just forbidden that chocolate be brought into the household.

Also, I can't seem to have a bowel movement without coffee. I was not a coffee drinker before. I have been very constipated, but regardless of colace, Probiotics, aloe juice, laxatives, nothing seemed to work. I had a cup of coffee this weekend and it resulted in painful dirrahea, but at least it worked. I wasn't supposed to drink coffee, but I can't stand the scale not moving.

I'm sorry, this is alot...I just want someone to talk to, someone to help. I am petrified that the sleeve won't work for me, that I'll screw it up.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Hello. I can relate to a lot of what you shared.... I just had my surgery Aug. 4th and have had many of the thoughts you are dealing with too.... fear I am not losing enough, I think some of it (for me) is that I have struggled and battled and failed for so long, that fear is still there. I am on clear and full liquids and am struggling with wanting to eat something other than liquids, but I just keep waiting and toughing it out to allow my stomach to heal. I also battled within my mind, when I see that I am able to consume more liquid than I thought I could (even without overdoing it)

Bottom line, I think we are doing great, and just need to take it one day at a time, knowing we have made the right choice for us and remembering this is not a "quick fix' but it is a tool to help us.

Keep up the good job, you are doing fine! =)

[CdnGirlinNC 10]

You have had major surgery and there is a physical and emotional aspect to your healing. My surgery was July 7th so I'm just a bit ahead of you. Here are some ideas that may help:

1. Use MY FITNESS PAL.com. It is a super valuable tool and very easy to use. Enter everything you eat and that will tell you at any point in the day how many calories and Protein you've had and how much more you need.

2. At this stage you should only be able to eat a few tablespoons at a time of very soft or pureed foods. EAT SLOWLY and take small bites and chew very well. Feel how your tummy feels after each bite. It is healing after a very big trauma. Be kind and gentle with it. If you feel pressure or discomfort stop eating. Put your plate down and give it a few minutes. Then have another bite if you feel you want more. Remember - only a few tablespoons!

3. If you haven't been given calorie and Protein targets perhaps you could use these: 600 to 800 calories per day and 60 to 80 grams of protein per day. Try not to go over 40 grams of carbs. (MY FITNESS PAL will track all of this for you)

4. A reasonable target for liquid is 60 oz at this stage (I struggle to get that even now but am getting closer).

5. Exercise is not your priority right now. You need to heal. If you can get out for a 20 minute walk that's great but if not try again in a few days. It's ok.

6. If you aren't successful with bowel movements perhaps you need a stool softener such as Miralax. Harsh laxatives are perhaps not the best choice right now. Again, your body has had a trauma. Give it time to heal and be gentle with it. Liquids and a stool softener can really help .

Be patient and kind to yourself. Rest. One of the best resources that I've found for bariatric surgery information are videos by Dr. Matthew Weiner. Here's a link: http://drmatthewweiner.com/eating-after-bariatric-surgery-2/

Take good care!

[boccob81 244]

Here is my results after two months out . I was scared to still am . It's like I am living in a dream !

As you can see I am dropping . I am glad I did it

[Tinydoll77 2]

Hi my name is Denise and I have a question is it normal to feel depressed now I had my surgery on July 21 2014 for the last couple of days i feel like i did the wrong thing by doing the sleeve but i only get depressed at night i am trying to figure out why it only happen at that time i cry myself to sleep now can anybody give me some feed back on how i can deal or cope with the feeling i feel right now