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Increase in Depression with weight loss



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OK got a question for ya all. I have noticed that since my surgery and since I have been losing weight that my depression has seemed to have gotten worse. I am on medication for it but it is not working as well as it was before. I can cry at the drop of a hat and everything just sets me off. I am sooo down in the dumps. I have read somewhere that fat stores estrogen and when u lose weight quickly u get that rush of estrogen on ur system which can throw off the hormonal balance. I had to call my doctor about increasing my medication to see if that helps. Is anyone else having this problem or am I just a ball of hormones on the edge???:P

Edited by thunderstorm816

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I've noticed that my moods swing much more now that I am losing weight than before. hang in there, maybe they can get you on the right meds!

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Hi Tracy...I've noticed my moods to change frequently. I can just think about something sad and start to cry. I hate that. I don't know if the fat cells store estrogen or not but it makes sense. I hadn't had night sweats for awhile and since surgery they are back...that would be a hormonal issue.

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There's a very real reason for the increased depression. In fact, 2 reasons. One is similar to post-partum depression. Your life is changing, maybe even in ways you cannot forsee. And there are expectations that may or may not be met. You may not be focusing on these consciously, but they lurk beneath. The realization that nothing may change except that you're thinner, is hard to handle. And for some, this change is huge- marriages made better or ending, outside support, love, job....everything.

Second reason is that you, like me and many,many,many of us, are letting go of the one thing that loved us best -food. Instant comfort and gratification gone. The place we go to "fill" ourselves when no one else fill us, gone. Good and gone, but you may actually be MOURNING the loss of the food as companion, friend and support.

This is why support groups are vital and why sites like this exist. To help you through. I think there is a specific area for this- you'd need to look at the list of groups. Also, if you have the $ or the coverage.....get some professional counselling. Also plenty of exercise. That raises the endorphins and helps dispel depression.

I'm in therapy for this and it does help. My husband tells me I'm yelling at him more, shorter with people, and overreacting in general. I actual can see it, but don't seem to want to stop the behavior. I know what's driving it. And I'll work it through.

The great news is that you're noticing. Now, start working it.

Good luck.

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I too am having trouble controlling my depression. I went to my family doc who changed my Celexa to Cymbalta. I also have Reactive arthritis which causes pain daily, so the Cymbalta helps with that too. I have been working (full time) with pain and dealing with the relatively new Lap Band. So I don't know if it's the combo of it all or the Lap Band. Although, the books do mention depression after bariatric surgery.

Sue

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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.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.

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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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