:sad:Hi everyone I haven't posted in a long time. Partly because I just didnt know what to say. I am a little backwards when it comes to things. But I am am feeling blue and I could use a little encouragement. I was banded on Sept 18th and have lost 21 lbs which I am saying I have maintained.I havent had a fill yet because........ I had a little trouble with my incision opening partly aftter the steri stips were removed after surgery. I have been doing daily dressing changes and thankfully it is healing nicely and hasnt gotten infected. It was only a small opening. I also developed a seroma and was very sore for a few weeks around my incision. But one day doing my dressing when cleaning my wound the fluid aspirated on its own it was really weird. But anyway it took care of itself. So if all goes well I will get a fill Dec 5th.n I go nov 18th for one more incision check. I know 21lbs is alot and am proud of that and to have kept it off when it is easy to eat with nothing to keep from eating but willpower. But for some reason I feel blue, could be the economy, or the time change, or the stomach virus I had the weekend or oh yeah I tripped over a rug and my right big toe is purple and swollen.My clothes are baggy and people think I have lost a lot more weight than I have. doc says I have probally have lost inches. thanks for listening.

Renea

Sorry to hear of your problems after surgery, I am glad you are on your way ro recovery. I also had surgery on Sept. 18th. I have lost 16 lbs. so far, my weight has not budged in 2 weeks. I have noticed inches coming off, started off in a size 20, now fitting into some 16's. My first fill is Wed. 11/12. I hope that gets the scale moving again. Good luck to you.

Renea,

I am looking for a band buddy, seems like we are in the same boat, around the same age, and SLOW weight loss. My e-mail address is leazmom@verizon.net if you want to chat.

Jeannine

I could have cut and pasted exactly what you wrote a couple months ago. When I couldn't eat from feeling down, I felt like I had lost my best friend (food.) You will get through it and eventually start enjoying life more than you have ever. Especially the cute outfits you get to wear and the compliments. Try and think positive and remind yourself what a wonderful person you are and that it only get better from here=)

Hi Renea--

I haven't been banded yet, though I'm hoping to have a surgery date before the end of the year. I recently completed my psych eval, however, and one of the things the psychiatrist mentioned to me is that there is an increased possibility of depression or "blue" feelings after weight loss surgery. He said that he wasn't sure why, but articles have appeared recently in medical journals on this topic. Do you have a counselor or therapist you can talk to just to help you get over this hump?

I have a long history of depression and find therapy, journaling and medication helpful. I, too, am in a down period right now, though, and have stepped up my counseling sessions and asked that my meds be tweaked.

It's proactive and smart for you to reach out through this website. Be gentle with yourself and continue to identify things you can do to surround yourself with supportive people.

Take good care,

Bridgett