I am 3 months out from RNY surgery and have lost about 45lbs , the weight has been slow moving this past month and I work out 7 days a week, I do a full mix of cardio , weight lifting and yoga/Pilates / barre and follow a Keto or Lazy Keto diet.

Depression , anxiety, sleeplessness , restlessness and anger have been a constant no matter how much I keep my endorphins up. Is this normal? Is it normal to look in the mirror or photos and still be angry and upset with what you see? Are the mood swings 3 months out still normal? I’m disgusted and saddened by what is looking back at me and I am critiquing myself harder than before when I was 200lbs , 154lbs just doesn’t feel like the progress I was hoping g for at 3 months and I feel like no matter how hard I work out I am not seeing the muscles or definition in my body , all I see is saggy skin , bingo arms and cellulite.

I just want to know am I the only that has felt or feels this way ?

I’m so sorry to hear this. I too had this, but primarily Monday, and a bit of exhaustion from the crying/moodiness Tuesday.

Thankfully it cleared today. Not sure what to suggest. I journal a lot when I’m deep in feelings and walk, especially when it’s nice out so I can soak in some Vitamin D.

the sleeplessness is the hardest part though. I truly feel it perpetuates the problem. i take a half a melatonin tab If I go more than two nights without decent sleep. more than a half and it can make me weepy or in a fog at work the next day.

Wishing you all the best for some peace and happiness! 45lbs is great!! Slow and steady is the best for long term success so perhaps take your measurements to see if those have changed to celebrate something else other than the scale?

a lot of women complain about moodiness the first few months. I'm not sure if there's actual medical research to back this up, but many people have said it's because estrogen is stored in fat cells, and when you lose weight quickly, a lot of that is released. Many women also report screwed-up menstrual cycles the first few months, so I suspect the hormone theory is probably correct. It should all work itself out though - it doesn't seem to last more than a few months - so you may be near the end of it.

45 lbs in 3 months is pretty good. It takes many of us about a year to lose 100 lbs, so you're doing just fine.

as far as baggy, saggy skin - some of that will look better eventually because things seem to re-distribute a bit over time - but after a 100 lb weight loss, you'll inevitably have some saggy skin. I had a ton of it. I could easily hide it in clothes so no one knew it was there, but *I* knew it was there, so I had it removed when I was about three years out. So that's an option if you decide you can't live with it..

I didn't feel that way BUT I was already on antidepressants when I had my surgery and I have heard many people talk about having similar feelings. Some people feel even worse and completely regret their surgery.

I think depression, anger, sleeplessness, etc. are also quite common during the pandemic, especially for women.

I don't know if you are open to this but my insurance is offering many options to talk to a therapist online via Zoom. You might find that helpful if it's something yours offers. I would think someone with bariatric surgery experience would be best. Maybe your surgeon's office can recommend someone?

Feel better! You're doing amazing.

Edited May 7, 20206 yr by JessLess

Like @catwoman7, I also think you’re likely suffering as a result of the oestrogen being released from the fat in your body as you lose weight. This extra oestrogen is causing you to experience something like continuous bad PMT. Unfortunately it will probably continue until your hormones start to settle again.

For me, as I lost weight all my menopause symptoms disappeared thanks to the oestrogen boost. Yay! Unfortunately, the hot flushes, etc. have all come back this last month as my oestrogen levels have dropped right down again. Waaah!

Talk to your doctor & ask if your hormone levels can be checked with your next blood test.

No you are common like most of us = As a male i do not think we have the hormone changes as much but I definatly have had a shorter fuse, Stress out more, and Become OCD as heck on certain things -- It has slowed down for me but you are common, From what i have seen here in posts it is a phase and it will pass over time

Pitty your husband, I know i was a Prick to deal with during those phases

AJ