Hi all,

I've been dealing with a lot of emotions lately that I wasn't quite prepared for. I spoke with my behavioral specialist about mood swings and she gave a general response, I.e "you'll feel full of life one day and tired the next...." I actually feel accomplished one day and like a loser the next day. Yesterday I felt great today not so much, to be truthfully honest I've had more low days than high days. I thought I was prepared for post surgery lows but this is ridiculous

I had my surgery on the 27th of August and I just feel consumed by thoughts of "this isn't going to work for you..." I don't know why it's been circling my thoughts for two days straight. I know mentally that if I follow the plan I will lose the weight; however, emotionally, I feel like my sleeve is broken.

I honestly never feel hungry, and when I eat or drink I never feel full. Plus, I've only lost 6lbs since surgery. I know I had the surgery and I know it's just a matter of focusing on proper maintenance and exercise, and the weight loss will come in due time,, but I didn't realize how much of an emotional wreck I' would be. If it wasn't for the positive post I'd be balled up in a corner crying. I just feel sad and I don't know how to overcome the emotional roller coaster. I was just encouraging myself the other day, and today I can't even think of an encouraging word to give myself.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so what did you do to overcome it? My family has been super supportive, but they can't really relate to what I'm dealing with, so I thought I'd reach out. Sorry for the long post.

Kandis

Kandis - I have not had surgery yet, so I don't know what you're going through or how to help - but I have had problems with depression my whole life and your post really touched me and made me wish I could help. I'll be thinking about you and praying for you - and I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice from the wonderful people on this site. Take care and God bless.

@@docbree thank you so much for your kind words, I struggle with anxiety and depression as well. I might bring this up to my therapist next week. I had no idea I would feel this low. I tried a coping mechanism this morning , and I did some breathing exercises, but I still feel low. Thank you for your prayers I could really use some.

Kandis

I just seen this..do u take anything for this before surgery? Like I have been taking wellbuterin for yrs I deal with several things. I've been seeing a therapist/ psych for 11 yrs..I think I may have read you do have family? Did your surgeon provide the preop classes? Psych evaluation etc. .? I no most insurance say these classes are required an some don't..I had to have a letter from my regular psych to release me an approval before my insurance approve mine. I would call an get in to talk to my psych just to touch base an let them no how your feeling. I assume ur thyroid is within range...? Mine had to b also before approval of surgery. . Iv been on thyroid armour for 4 months..will b for life. An I was finally just got approved for my ADD issues..I no it's tuff...ur body has been shocked..hormones are going crazy..the stomach hormones have been cut away..a lot of changes..mentally an physically. .mine warned me it is going to b a ruff ride. U can do this..Your inner strength kicks in. I drank peppermint tea in the evenings to help..with honey. .it helped..it does get easier. ..an much better!! (((hugs)))

I'm sorry you're feeling low Hopefully the farther you get out from surgery the more you're able to have those good days.

You've lost 6 pounds in 9 days and that's slow? Be proud! I believe lower weight BMI folks tend to lose a little slower so 6 pounds in 9 days seems pretty good to me.

Keep plugging along and you'll get there.

@@blondebomb hello, I was on venlafaxine and adderall XR. I was cleared and passed all my evaluations. I have my first visit with my psychotherapist since surgery next week. I'll definitely bring these feelings up to her. We discussed this and I knew it would happen, but I'm kinda shocked by how intense it can be some days. Thanks for your concern.

@@une nouvelle vie exactly I know mentally that it's not slow, but emotionally it's like like "that's all? Did I do something wrong?" Those are the things I'm planning to talk to my psychotherapist about. I'm not going to ruin this journey with a self defeating attitude. I've done that too many times in life

, and I refuse to ruin this experience for myself, especially since I should know better. Thanks for your advice, I appreciate it!

@@blondebomb hello, I was on venlafaxine and adderall XR. I was cleared and passed all my evaluations. I have my first visit with my psychotherapist since surgery next week. I'll definitely bring these feelings up to her. We discussed this and I knew it would happen, but I'm kinda shocked by how intense it can be some days. Thanks for your concern.

Hang in there...it does get better..I'm struggling a lil still but I have to talk myself thru those times. Mine told us in preop class she said that's why they have us going thru these classes an they also have support group meetings I am going to look that up an chk it out myself I think its a great tool provided an will help...keep us posted sweetie. ..that lol voice in my head Iv had to reprogram it so it tells me you can do this!! I just started on regular adderall it's helping...it's not a magic fix for me but it is helping...I have started a few projects around the house to put my mind on other things. For the first month man it was a full focus just trying to get my fluid an protein An meds in every day! That was my priority. .hang in there u will make it!! ((Hugs))

@@blondebomb you're absolutely right I need to look into a support group. I have a list, I just have to find a group that works for me. Are you using adderall XR? That's the one I use. It does help some, but we still need to remember our coupling mechanisms, and breathing exercises.

Today I got out of the house for a few hours that helped, and I think I'm gonna start focusing more on making sure I have all my liquids and Protein in like you suggested. That way I can focus on the task at hand instead of worry about things that aren't even relevant. Thanks again for your suggestions!

Kandis

You're doing GREAT! Don't forget that you're still recovering from an operation, which is physically and psychologically difficult, and also that you're not really getting enough nourishment while your stomach is healing, and that can make you feel anxious, depressed, and/or just generally emotionally wobbly. It's totally normal, especially if food has been something you have used to comfort yourself in the past.

It does get better, especially once you can start eating solids. Hang in there!

@@blondebomb you're absolutely right I need to look into a support group. I have a list, I just have to find a group that works for me. Are you using adderall XR? That's the one I use. It does help some, but we still need to remember our coupling mechanisms, and breathing exercises.

Today I got out of the house for a few hours that helped, and I think I'm gonna start focusing more on making sure I have all my liquids and Protein in like you suggested. That way I can focus on the task at hand instead of worry about things that aren't even relevant. Thanks again for your suggestions!

Kandis

I am so glad to hear that!! Just be careful. I take just regular adderall. .an I take it 2 x day. An the more hydrated u stay the better the adderall wrks I can't remember if I mentioned that or not. Just like it's mentioned it's recovering from major surgery. Listen to body so you pace yourself. I'm also going to look online for support group I can go at least once or twice a month. I no they hold them at the hospital over here where my surgeon is an I had it done. Your doing great! I can tell in your comment you have perked up! proud of you!!

@@blondebomb I take adderall XR because it's slow release so I only have to take one per day in the morning. I've been on adderall for seven years, I use to take the regular adderall but it kicked in too fast and I would become super aggressive, (not fun), so now I just do the Aderall XR and the venlafaxine XR. Yes, you have to stay really hydrated with that stuff.

Kandis

@@Tamlyn thanks so much, I agree usually I could relax with a bag of chips and a beer, but I can't do that now especially when I was bored. I also feel that I haven't been getting enough rest I wake up at 6:45 am everyday so I can start drinking my fluids and I don't finish until around midnight. Between that and trying to squeeze in Protein I'm pretty emotional and irritable.

I'm still trying to figure out how I'm gonna do all this once I return back to work on the 22nd ugh...

I had my surgery on august 5th and this last week I have found myself to be very weepy--the littlest things make me cry.

@@3in1wOL Awww I'm sorry to hear that, it's rough but I know it's worth it. Congrats on your surgery, are you going for walks and things? I noticed whenever I'm in the house and I get bored I get irritable. I'm realizing it's probably because I used to eat out of boredom. Stay positive, it's just temporary!