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Holiday Depression or Post Surgery Depression



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I have never been a holiday person. Always disliked xmas usually spend my time involved in charity stuff during this time. One thing that has always been a tradition in my family has been xmas eve, but this year it's cancelled due to family drama. So I have been in a major funk this week and sinking into depression. I feel like everywhere I turn is food galore and think I am missing food also. Haven't had any food cravings til now but I don't act on them, so feel like it's pent up frustratiin. Coming up on my 6 month post op follow up appoint. I have been working out each night for months and this week can't get myself to gym.

Has anyone had post op depression that can give some feedback especially during holidays? Thinking of scheduling a post op appt with my pre op psych.

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I am so sorry you are having a rough time. Yes I definitely did and I was already on an anti-depressant. I had to get the dose increased. This is an especially hard time for a lot of people - both the Holidays AND post-op. I found out I am getting laid off next week on the 31st, and not drinking or being able to run towards my addiction has been really tough, so I completely get where you are coming from. (Additionally, my father and my brother do not speak, so I have to do those Christmas' separately which is never fun so I really really get where you are coming from with family drama.) I wish I had some brilliant words to tell you to make it better, but I don't. I have been seeing my therapist consistently from 4 months pre-op to now (6 1/2 months post-op) and I plan to continue for at least 2 years. It really helps. I do strongly recommend reaching out to a counselor. She (my therapist) and what she has taught me has been the biggest / best part of my journey. I wouldn't have survived without her help. And as I sit here pouting that I lost my cushy job, I love that even though I am tempted by some of the food and drinks, I have been able to (mostly) steer clear and just stay focused on my health. I have actually outloud yelled at myself to put that food down! :D

I did not say all that to overshadow or demean your feelings. I just was trying to commiserate and not sure I expressed it very well. I am truly sorry you are having a rough time! Feel free to send me a private message if you need someone reach out to. I am not always the best at giving the right answer, but I promise I will do my best and will always respond. :)

HUGS!!!

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Thanks for the thoughtfulness! I know it will pass as I am a logic mind, but just feels like a double wammie this year with holidays and post op. I hope you the best for your next work journey. Have been laid off once in 2008 and that mixed bag of feelings is a beast of its own. We will get through????

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I was very depressed post surgery. I would utilize the supportive friends and family around you. Maybe your doctors office if you like them? You can always see a therapist as well.

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Had an post op/post holiday appt with a new counseler. Felt good and looking forward to keeping myself on track, not only for me but my husband's upcoming sleeve surgery this week????

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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