I just had surgery on may 16th and I'm really feeling depressed. I cry all the time it seems. I'm not sad about the surgery, just feel like too many regrets in my life and I'm just hopeless. Feel like I can't stand to drink another protein shake. Struggling to consume all the things they want me too (protein, broth, water, vitamins) but still feel starving.

I’m sorry to hear you’re having a rough time.

It may seem daunting to return to work, but you may find that in the end it makes you feel a bit better. You will actually feel quite a bit better in two weeks than you do right now I bet. By that time, even if your job is stressful and you are feeling depressed, you may be ready to go back to your normal daily routine.

You will be able to interact with your coworkers which is great if you’ve got a few work buddies, and you’ll keep your mind busy on work and off of food you can’t eat.

I was really nervous going back but once I did it was kind of nice to get back to my regular routine. People were happy to see me! I was tired the first few weeks but it passed and things went back to normal.

I hope you feel better soon either way.

8 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

But if you draw the hungry card...it's still very tough.

My nutritionist kept telling me I would not be hungry and that I would need to remind myself to eat so when I was two weeks out and started to feel hunger I thought I was losing it. I sheepishly asked my surgeon if it was possible I was hungry because I was told I wouldn't---he laughed and said "I never said you wouldn't be hungry!" He said about 25% of his patients get legitimately hungry, 25% are the lucky ones that are never hungry, and most fall somewhere in between. So you are not alone in your hunger, Strawberry! Nor are you alone in your depression, this has been a very rough transition, and I fly from melancholy to downright anger at times. I never realized how addicted to food I was until I had to give it up, cold turkey.

Everyone says it gets better so I am inclined to believe them, I hope you are feeling some relief soon. I agree with everyone else, counseling is the way to go. Talking to someone--or even finding a support group so you can commiserate will ease you along this rough road.

I've been very depressed too and sometimes angry. No one talks about the emotional strain after surgery. I've had a very hard time getting all the protein in and water. I'm tired of eating the same crap day in and day out. I dream of foods I'm not allowed to have. I'm glad you're seeing a therapist. Have you thought about adding an antidepressant? It might make a world of difference. Hope this gets easier soon!

No more antidepressants for me. I've tried many and the last one made me crazy, so crazy that it destroyed the wonderful relationship I was in. I also worked in mental health for 5 years. I didn't like what I saw. I hope they work for some people but never again for me.

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Plaster a smile on your face for me, now one foot in front and then the other, please,know many have been where you're at, they made it through and I believe you will too. You don't believe in you, well I,do and that's somewhere to start. You will start to. see it is worth it, I see a strong yet scared girl, you'll work past the fear and pretty soon you are going to see the sunlight around you. And Strawbeery, you can do it!

Hang in there. I was really hungry when I was having liquids. I started picking the thicker things on my plan (humus and peanut butter) and started feeling full. I went shopping for some new clothes too which cheered me up.

Hang in there, it improves by week 4 vastly. Take more naps, then walks. You are nutritionally deficient right now and that will mess with your head. As soon as you can do some real food your mood will improve. Are you allowed yogurt yet, or sip some plain milk in between? Homemade bone broth with carrots and celery pureed then strained made life sooo much better. Good luck.

I can eat yogurt but I'm so sick of all the sweet because of these protein shakes. I drink vegetable broth because I don't eat meat and it fine I guess but I'm tired of everything and I'm struggling to get enough protein.

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Tried cottage cheese yet? You can blend it, sprinkle with just a little romano cheese...

That sounds good. I will try it.

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It does get better!! Once you move to more foods you will feel a bit better

Sugar free popsicles are my saving grace!

Try joining you local walking club or ty to meet some people. Hopefully that helps the loneliness . Get outside- the sun does wonders too

Come here often and chat to folks- that helps!!

Hang in there

Some folks react to general anesthesia with depression. Whether or not they suffer from depression in real life, some will come down with it” for several days after surgery. I knew nothing about this until it happened to me and my Doctor explained it to me after surgery a few years ago. It has happened to my mother as well. Perhaps yours is just this.
I hope so.

Strawberry,

My heart goes out to you! It sounds like you could use some help.

A few things come to mind..
Have your tired a Bariatric support group. If you’re feeling alone, you should be able to find people who are experiencing similar feelings.
This is an unprofessional read on the situation, but it seems like an anti-depressant would really be helpful.

Hang in there! You aren’t alone!

Strawberry,

The first two weeks are the worst. Honestly, I was either nauseous or starving and sometimes both. I had surgery two weeks before you did. By weeks 3 and 4, it gets better as you add soft foods and start getting rid of some of those sweet protein shakes. I couldn’t handle them either so added protein powder to creamed soups. They were filling and didn’t make me gag like those protein shakes.

It will get better. When our go to comfort is food, it is a big adjustment. I’ve tried to flip the script, and now use walks as my comfort.

At this point, try to forget about work for at least a week. You may feel much better next week and the week after. Don’t assume how you feel now will be how you feel in two weeks. Since you were asking for more time at the outset before knowing how you would feel, it may be a self fulfilling prophesy.

If you get to the date when you have to return to work and can’t do it, talk to your Bariatric team in person. Don’t hold back your emotions. Mental Health is just as important as physical health.