So I'm two months post-op. I've been doing really well and have lost about 30 pounds. My total weight loss is 50. I'm right at 187. I feel like I'm doing great but I also feel depressed. I don't know if it's because of other things going on in my life or delayed depression from the surgery. My mom wanted to know why I wasn't more depressed right after. For the whole first month I was so happy all the time. Now I'm down in the dumps. I miss certain foods, like risotto. I'm sure that I could have a bite or two of it but I don't want to risk killing myself for one shining moment of food pleasure. Also I feel like I can eat too much and definitely need another fill. They scheduled me for a Friday but I can't do that because I have a class all day. I love my band though. It feels so good to be able to wear normal size clothes again and know I won't be going back up. I'm mostly following the rules but there have been a couple times when I have let my sugar urges take over. Then I spend the next two days beating myself up about it. I don't know why I do this to myself. It's my own fault but I don't know how to stop the cycle. Just one more behavioral adjustment that I need to make. I'm feeling like maybe I need to go to some of the support groups but Kaiser only has one a month in Sacramento. I wish I could combine knitting with a support group. hmmm. I wonder how that would work. Anyway that's it for now.

I hear you and I have felt the same way about foods I miss the most. Yes, I guess I could call it depression and all. But who needs that when I am starting to look so GOOD and feel even Better about myself. Do not let those little urges slow you down. ENJOY it and Let it GO. We are living the new life we do not have time to stay depressed RIGHT..... Blog More. I do. I do not eat when I am blogging. It helps to keep my paws out of the cookie jar.

If depression is getting to you act as if you are NOT depressed and things may start to feel better for you. That is what I have done. I have not told anyone about this so I never have anyone to talk to about the LB. I only blog on this site and it has been my only support system. I have met so many wonderfully supportive people who offer support and understanding and suggestions.

I was banded in June on the 29th almost a month before my real band date that was set for July 20. So I am about 4 months in to my newly banded life and I just love being told I can not get my size on this side of the store where I always used to shop (large size section) I am now a 14-16 and LOVE how I feel in smaller normal sizes. Yippeee

I love to smile and SMILING in my favorite now. Be well and Best Wishes. imaluckydog

I think we spend too much time feeling guilty and beating ourselves up for being fat or having been fat. I bet nearly every one of us is a people pleaser of some sort or another. In my case, I make sure everyone else is happy then I eat to relieve my own stress and anxiety. It got out of hand and has caused me to hate on myself more than once for "destroying my body". But here's the deal. Even skinny people and people without addictive eating behaviors crave sweets and certain other foods that make them happy. You are not doing anything wrong, nor should you feel guilty for feeling this way.

Depression may or may not be caused by your new lifestyle but if it is chronic and there really is no concrete reason for it, it is probably chemical. Short-term meds and a little counseling may be all you need to reset your brain and feel better.

Overeating and eating certain foods releases lots of feel-good chemicals in your brain like dopamine and seratonin. You brain isn't getting high off food any more so yeah, you might need a little help getting your brain chemicals balanced.

There are also ways to trick your brain. Exercise releases those same feel-good chemical. So does eating hot peppers! (Jalapenos will give you the same shot of dopamine that you get from jogging).