Hi. Many of you followed my story as I went through hell with complications from surgery. 6 hospital stays, feeding tubes, ambulance etc..... I went through hell to finally be OK. I went from 308 to 171 as of this past March. I looked great and felt great. But.......

A heavy depression set in early this year. Work stress, marital issues, financial issues etc..... I got so depressed I tried to take my life twice!! I am blessed I survived twice I know this. After hospital stays to get better they put me on meds including abilify which is notorious for weight gain. I've gained 40lbs in 4 months and have been as high as 216 for a low a few months ago of 171. Depression is setting in as I went thru hell to get to that 171 now I'm obese again. Had to buy bigger clothes each month. I'm shocked with the sleeve how much I can eat now. The meds slow the metabolism and make it to where I'm not even aware how much I am eating.

Please help, how do I get the weight off now? 40lbs seems daunting when sleeve doesn't seem to be helping anymore.

I am sorry if this post disappoints many. I'm doing better mentally, no thoughts of hurting self and wasn't depressed until recently due to weight gain. I don't know how to get back what I went by thru hell to get.

From the poster boy of hell to success to falling from grace. Thank u all again for your support when I was so sick. Could use some more support now.

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Ah okay, that explains it... wow 900 for meds?! Thats crazy..

It amazes me how much you guys pay for healthcare, its insane! Eg. for abilify here it is $38!

I hope that your new med helps you, i hope that it helps you resolve all side effects that you were getting.

Also i would like to add.... i would advise that you give yourself a break, stop being so hard on yourself, be kind to yourself, your body, emotional and mental health.

Stressing yourself out at this stage is not going to help you, it will only hinder your efforts to lose weight.

Start slowly, making small changes to what you are eating, choose healthier options, slowly reduce your portion sizes, focus on eating good clean foods, meat, poultry, salads, veg etc.. stay away from that artifically processed stuff.

Go for a 5 minute walk every day, increase it to 10 mins the following week, and keep increasing it until you get into a routine....

This is not a race, there is no finish line, making small changes do add up.

Remember your health and well being is more important than that number on the scale.

Keep at it, in time it will become easier... you can do this.

Just remember not to let yourself fall into the cycle of self blame and depression as you do not want to go back to that place.

We are here for you, to support and help you along... if you ever need to talk, feel free to drop us a line...

Also i would like to add.... i would advise that you give yourself a break, stop being so hard on yourself, be kind to yourself, your body, emotional and mental health.

Stressing yourself out at this stage is not going to help you, it will only hinder your efforts to lose weight.

Start slowly, making small changes to what you are eating, choose healthier options, slowly reduce your portion sizes, focus on eating good clean foods, meat, poultry, salads, veg etc.. stay away from that artifically processed stuff.

Go for a 5 minute walk every day, increase it to 10 mins the following week, and keep increasing it until you get into a routine....

This is not a race, there is no finish line, making small changes do add up.

Remember your health and well being is more important than that number on the scale.

Keep at it, in time it will become easier... you can do this.

Just remember not to let yourself fall into the cycle of self blame and depression as you do not want to go back to that place.

We are here for you, to support and help you along... if you ever need to talk, feel free to drop us a line...

Thank you so much for the kind words. Means a lot.

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Anytime, i really mean it.... we are here to help... i believe you can do this! Small changes make big differences if you stick to them ????

Hoping all the stars align for you, be kind to yourself, you deserve it. Going through all the struggles of overcoming food addiction can take a toll on us, recognize that eating out of your program is bad, a form of self sabotage. Say, fuck you addiction, you aren't getting me again, and focus on being good to yourself once again. Much love, you got this!!!

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I do need to go back to barbaric surgeon and nut though and check in. Maybe I just go back to pre op diet. But don't think I can do Protein shakes anymore after I was so sick post op they wrote a negative memory that the thought makes me nauseous

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I had enough of the Protein Shakes too and so I started making my own smoothies. Greek yogurt, frozen fruit, little Water and ice and one scoop GENEPRO. 45 grams of protein and tastes pretty good.

Best of luck to you!

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Since I tried to take my life twice they put me on an anti psychotic. Met with psychiatrist and he's going to switch me to rexulti the new abilify but without the same side effects. Hopefully insurance covers as 900 dollars without insurance as no generic. I'm on Paxil as well

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You just answered one of my questions-----Ablilify is usually given in combination with another med---for you it is Paxil. Ablilify is seldomed prescribed solo. Perhaps a serious sit down to discuss a new "cocktail". ---and keep at it until you find the cocktail that works for YOU.

Now before I go any further,---Welcome back! You've been missed. Welcome "home".

I went totally off track when my SO committed suicide the morning of my WLS. After four years of therapy, I restarted from scratch. I made appointments with: my bariatric surgeon, my Nut, my bariatric therapist, my gym/pool consultant and of course BP itself.

I found that my sleeve is still viable---just waiting for me to "rejoin the march". I had to learn to listen to my body, my sleeve's restriction---to work with it---not against it.

In concert to my body, I had to rewrap my head around why I had WLS to start with. I had to learn to forgive myself---to care enough about myself to want to try again.

It can be done, my friend. It is not easy, but it can be done and is well worth the effort. Just remember that you will not lose weight at the rate you did when you first had WLS. Weight loss is slower, but it is consistent with the effort given.

Forward---one step at a time.

Again, Welcome back. Post often--letting us know how you are doing.

We CARE.

We are here and listening. Sometimes, I hope that is enough.

Hoping all the stars align for you, be kind to yourself, you deserve it. Going through all the struggles of overcoming food addiction can take a toll on us, recognize that eating out of your program is bad, a form of self sabotage. Say, f**k you addiction, you aren't getting me again, and focus on being good to yourself once again. Much love, you got this!!!

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Love it and thank you for the support

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Since I tried to take my life twice they put me on an anti psychotic. Met with psychiatrist and he's going to switch me to rexulti the new abilify but without the same side effects. Hopefully insurance covers as 900 dollars without insurance as no generic. I'm on Paxil as well

Sent from my SM-J700T1 using the BariatricPal App

You just answered one of my questions-----Ablilify is usually given in combination with another med---for you it is Paxil. Ablilify is seldomed prescribed solo. Perhaps a serious sit down to discuss a new "cocktail". ---and keep at it until you find the cocktail that works for YOU.

Now before I go any further,---Welcome back! You've been missed. Welcome "home".

I went totally off track when my SO committed suicide the morning of my WLS. After four years of therapy, I restarted from scratch. I made appointments with: my bariatric surgeon, my Nut, my bariatric therapist, my gym/pool consultant and of course BP itself.

I found that my sleeve is still viable---just waiting for me to "rejoin the march". I had to learn to listen to my body, my sleeve's restriction---to work with it---not against it.

In concert to my body, I had to rewrap my head around why I had WLS to start with. I had to learn to forgive myself---to care enough about myself to want to try again.

It can be done, my friend. It is not easy, but it can be done and is well worth the effort. Just remember that you will not lose weight at the rate you did when you first had WLS. Weight loss is slower, but it is consistent with the effort given.

Forward---one step at a time.

Again, Welcome back. Post often--letting us know how you are doing.

We CARE.

We are here and listening. Sometimes, I hope that is enough.

Made me all teary eyed. Ty so much. Being g back on here is helping already. Love u all

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@@nprcowboy

Sorry to hear about your struggles and challenges.

I know how awful depression can feel, as I had few in the past.

I too lately became severely depressed, about a month ago, due to still recovering from WLS, new job and my father becoming very ill and enormous stress with dealing with his ex wife, and legal matters.

In the end, it was like my body said "no more"! "Have a break and time out".

I am currently on Effexor 225mg, the highest dose, and am starting to feel better.

I know that some anti-depressants can stimulate the appetite, but Effexor doesn't.

There is another one, called Valdostan, that does not increase appetite either, and it helps to sleep, but I don't think it is available in the US.

Other people mentioned Wellbutrin, that it also doesn't increase the appetite.

As it was mentioned before, perhaps you can inquire re your current med, if it increases your appetite.

You can also google the info about other meds, and discuss it with your doctor.

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon!

As depression can be life threatening, I am glad you are getting treatment for it. All the best!

Thank you. I am trying

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Some depression meds can take 4-6 weeks to really start making a difference.

Glad you are hanging on and trying. Hopefully it will lift soon.

My best wishes to you @@nprcowboy

Some depression meds can take 4-6 weeks to really start making a difference.

Glad you are hanging on and trying. Hopefully it will lift soon.

My best wishes to you @@nprcowboy

Thank u

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Finally off abilify but still gaining. Hopefully this game turn around soon

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@@nprcowboy

Glad to hear that, and I hope this turns around for you soon! For the better!

Have you spoken with your doctor regarding your weight still increasing?

As far as I know, Paxil causes weight gain also, although treating major depression has to take priority!

As far as I know , Effexor and Wellbutrin don't cause increased appetite and weight-gain. They may not be suitable for you though, I don't know ..... maybe you can ask your doctor about them, anyway.

Try to get back to high Protein, low carb eating. Hopefully high protein will keep you satisfied for longer time.

Good luck and hope all gets better for you soon.

Have lost 6 lbs since last week now that off of abilify and dieting. Am on topamax now. Known to cause weight loss so maybe will help

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