LAN2k

It appears that there are other links and source references posted at the conclusion of the article. I have not read them because I being post surgery, am not in a strong emotional state to handle anything that could add to the fear I am already grappling with. That said thank you for the post and continue to do your research.

Thanks for the invite Daisy but I have to get myself going now and ready for bed. I want to go to an OA meeting in the morning which means I've got to wake up extra early since I go through such an ordeal to brush my teeth with the gagging and all. Oh...thank you for inviting me to be your friend! I'm honored. Your really a sweet person. Have a good night Daisy.

Brilliant Daisy! I can't wait until I'm back emotionally because I still have that desire to find or be found by that one guy who's "right" for me. But where I'm at now emotionally, (seems I've lost all libido and just read it is a side effect of the clonzapam), I have to put my dream on a back burner for a while I guess.

My surgeon did an upper endoscopy around 2.5 months out and said all looked good. I don't think he looked at my throat at all though. I will PM VegasAngel thanks. And with regard to the depression yes, I think that I am grieving for a few reasons, and food and how food was an integral part of my life with friends and family even in healthy situations is at this point difficult. I miss the excitement of sharing good food. I'm also grieving my former life with my grandson, I had been raising him since he was a baby (I was 39 then :lol0:) My daughter took back custody and possession of him 2 weeks prior to my surgery. I moved out so he could remain at home where he was used to living and loved so much. I'm grieving for the drastic change of not having him with me. My daughter is cold, and although I only moved 3 miles away she seems to keep him away from me even when I'm available to be there for him while she works nights. Instead he's home alone. I'm very sad about all of this. I am in a one bedroom and want a two bedroom place so I can accommodate a guest to sleep over. I just hate my life now. I'm lost. No identity, all of my "friends" were the busy parents I associated with when I was raising him. I was the busiest "mom" active and there for him and his friends, sports etc. I don't even have a job only now am thinking of getting some sort of technical training in the medical field since my degree is only a 4 year degree in 'social science/psychology. I need this depression and anxiety to lift so I can find my way and build back a life for myself.

Before the surgery I had not taken nor need for SSRI medication. If I became sad or depressed it was a normal reaction to a situation and it would pass naturally. Since the surgery the anxiety began immediately and the morbid and fearful thoughts just took over. I had thought that after a while this too would pass but day after day, week after week and month after month it is not letting up. If I could get beyond my morning anxiety which is most intense at that time and get myself to the gym and work out on at least the treadmill for 30 minutes I agree it must be a natural way to help me out of this darkness. I just have to fight this I also need to see an Ear Nose and Throat specialist because I am having such mucus problems that just won't release from building up in my throat and this condition causes me to gag and heave in the mornings when I rinse and brush m y teeth. All this stuff started immediately after the surgery. I will keep on doing everything I can. But you are so right about the exercising. I just have developed such a feeling of estrangement from the world around me since the surgery I've felt somewhat detached from the rest of the world and that makes it hard to get myself out there. This is the only place where I don't feel alone. Thank you Daisy.

Hi Marci, Tiff mentioned her dry mouth due to the ant acid Prilosec she was or is on. I also had the WORST dry mouth as a side effect of the Prilosec. It may be due to an antacid you or some other medication you are taking on a daily basis. I couldn't stand it so I stopped taking antacids but then I seemed to have such a sinus and/or mucus build up and I read a post on here that sometimes acid reflux doesn't manifest with the typical symptoms and you don't even know you've got it and as a result the body will over produce mucus as a protection mechanism. I read a post where this person was prescribed Acidphex (antacid) and it resolved her mucus/nasal drip problem so I gave it a try. It did not resolve my nasal drip problem but I have had no dry mouth side effect from the Acidphex so far or any other side effects I am aware of. If you are on an antacid maybe you can ask your doctor to switch you to Acidphex and give it a try. I also agree that you MUST get in enough Water. Since my surgery plain water makes me nauseous so I drink Vitamin waters all day diluted with regular water. Hope your problem is resolved pronto!

Hi Daisy, I'm only on 12.5 mg (1/2 pill) of Zoloft. I am taking it with food at dinner. The plan is for the dosage to gradually increase under doctors (psychiatrist) supervision. I can't tell if I feel any effect but I don't really feel any nausea yet. I just have anxiety bad. I am still taking Clonazepam for the anxiety. I'm curious Daisy, if you had bad side effects from the antidepressant meds you tried how did you overcome your original reason to take an antidepressant?

Your doing great!! That is a huge loss in weight and you are able to eat fairly well and drink water too? I have lost all desire for plain water and it sort of makes me upset. I can only drink one flavor Vitamin water and I dilute it with plain water.

Tracy I am really really relieved for you! Now just do NOt attempt to do anything in the ice or snow! Before we know it spring will have arrived. Hang in there and take care of yourself.

Sounds delicious, the cauliflower recipe. I could also try adding preserves to the plain greek yogurt. Thanks. How is your knee BTW??

Finally we are getting a Whole Foods Market here a few minutes from where I live. It's really close to the Trader Joes. We also have a Wild By Nature Market here too but it's prices are very high! I would like to try that "Better Whey" yogurt since I'm not too crazy about the greek yogurts I've had so far I eat one or two spoons and then they rot in the fridge and once again I've food to throw away.

There are long term results published for the VSG, I can give you some links if you would like. Hi Tiff- I would appreciate having the above mentioned links as well. Thanks. LapBandTalk Click to visit the largest Lap-Band community online!

Thanks Tiffy for replying to this post because in my current state of mind it only added to my fears.

Hi Daisy, I agree. I've been on 2 so far, both caused increased anxiety and such nausea that I couldn't eat. I saw a psychiatrist past Thursday in a 2 hour consult she seemed to ask me all the right questions and have a thorough knowledge about anti-depressant drug classifications and dosages. I even showed her stuff about the sleeve procedure I had. She told me she needed to see my labs, (blood work) and speak with my psychologist and would see me in a week and a half. The next day I got a call from her office and was told that they made a mistake and do not accept my insurance. She said she would see about contacting the insurance company directly to see if they could salvage some money for the $265.00 consultation, but unless I was able to pay for future visits $165.00 out of pocket she will not move forward with me. I actually burst into tears at that point and the secretary told me she will talk to the doctor and get back to me. I called today but the woman I spoke to was "out of the office" and would call me back. She hasn't but hopefully tomorrow we'll connect. I just had hope with this psychiatrist she is a middle aged woman who has been in practice for 20 years and seemed very knowledgeable. I will keep trying if this falls through because from where I am now I see very little light. I am depressed, and I need help. Thanks Daisy.

I confess I am ashamed that in the face of the tragedy in Haiti I remain self absorbed with worries about if I'll ever feel fully alive and well again since this surgery. I confess that I am horrified about living alone even though before the surgery it was what I thought I not only needed but wanted. I confess that since the surgery I've no libido! Now I know some of you may think that at my age what's the big deal but before the surgery I was vibrant and full of ability sexually, now I don't even feel like a woman. I've no desire to buy new cloths, put make up on ...nothing. And the physical problems keep on keeping on- now I've pain in my entire rib cage from front to back on the left side of my body with no clue whatsoever how it happened.....wondering if this relentless nasal drip may have settled in my left lung or if I just twisted my body the wrong way unaware. I confess that since this surgery I've been full with grief and despair and imagine that many of you are just sick and tired of hearing about my misery...so I apologise to each and every one of you and thank you who have allowed me to vent and offered me help. I have benefited from being part of this group and have received many constructive answers.

I hope you will still be able to enjoy tuna. I used to really like solid white tuna and since the surgery it repulses me. Your fortunate to be able to eat fruit. I can't eat any fruit at all since the surgery unless it is out of a baby food jar. Let us know how the tuna goes.

Congrats to you I know it feels great when I am able to eat something without discomfort...good for you!

I'm 4 months out I can only say that for me it has only begun to get easier to injest solid food after about 2.5 months out. You need to take it very slow and easy but eventually chewed food moves through. Many times even after eating a half of a scrambled egg, I would need to get up and walk and stretch my arms up and tap by my esophagus. I was so concerned that I had my surgeon do an upper endoscopy to see if I had any strictures or obstructions and needed stretching. Everyone including my surgeon said it takes time and to have patience. At 4 months I am only beginning to feel "full" like a "normal" full would feel, actually in my stomach! When I tried to move forward sometimes and it got rough I'd just take a step back to mushies even full liquids at times and then slowly progress again with better results...because time passes and I guess the stomach and entire digestive process is adjusting. This was not a minor surgery. Best to you....keep trying and take it slow.

I would love to read the article in Harvard Mental Health. My email is lisnatoli@yahoo.com. Please put Vertical Sleeve Talk in the subject line so I don't mistake it for spam or junk mail. I still have the links you have posted and will be spending a good portion of tomorrow online and read what I can. Thank you so very much.

I am going to try to gather my thoughts together and start a thread about the negative emotional effects of the surgery. I just need to figure out how to navigate to the complications section. I also want to be sure that my readers understand that these negative emotions are not the norm. I do not wish to discourage anyone from going about weight loss through bariatric surgery if this is what they want to do. I was so thoroughly convinced that I was ready but in hind sight I really should have been better prepared psychologically. I am very glad to be a part of this vertical sleeve talk message board, it has helped me immensely. Thank you all for being here.

Thank you Bernadette, I will work on this until I get it right.

Thank you for understanding. As I am now sunken in a state of depression and anxiety, ( something I've never encountered to this degree before in my life), I am awaiting my new psychiatrist to analyze the labs she receives from my primary care physician and will meet with her in about 10 days to try once again another precription antidepressant. I myself can't believe this has happened to me. Thanks again I appreciate your will to be here for support.

Thanks so much for your interest. I mean to do this within the next couple of days. I will let you know and thanks again.

Hey guys I can't believe how much hair I'm losing. It's actually shedding all over the place and when I brush my hair brush is full of hair! If I keep losing my hair at this rate will I need a wig, will I lose it all? I'm taking in as much protein as I can maybe 50-70 grams a day. I just can't believe that this is happening at this rate and I wonder if and when it will level off and/or my hair will grow back. I need to wash and blowdry my hair and color my roots too and I'm so afraid that the stress of the process will take out even more hair. Any suggestions of things that have been tried and true will be seriously considered, Thanks.:smile1: