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Depression and energy

Surgery
Gastric Bypass (RNY)
Date
2/22/2021
Start Weight
275 lbs
Goal Weight
175 lbs
Currently
268 lbs
Progress
7%
Hi ya’ll

Tomorrow marks my 3 weeks since gastric bypass. It’ll be my second/last week of puréed food before moving to soft foods (thank.god).

So my biggest issue has been energy, I have zero energy what’s so ever. Having little sleep probably isn’t helping and being a long term suffer of depression is also not helpful. I’m also dealing with an issue with fluid round my heart and some in my one lung so yay. I’m just curious how long did it take some of you to feel energy again? I have 0 energy to do anything I love doing (even if I can do it sitting without much effort).

I do want to note I am not on any medication for depression as they were trying new options and all made me very sick so I’m hoping to see if I can go back to what I was on at least for a while. I also notice my anxiety is out of control especially in the mornings. These issues alone make me regret having the surgery so bad.... I guess I just need some motivation/support.
 
I didn’t get energy back until about 4 weeks out, and even then it was come and go. I’m 4.5 months post op and I still find myself exhausted at night. But I do have longer stretches of being more energized now.
 
Some of your energy should hopefully come back as you start to get some actual food into your system. 3 weeks plus up to 2 weeks pre-op of very little nutrition really takes a toll on your body. We forget that calories are literally energy and you're currently getting very little. What fuel you are taking in is mostly being used up to heal from major surgery. To deal with that PLUS fluid around your heart/lung? It would give anyone anxiety. Don't regret the surgery just yet. You knew it would be hard; especially the beginning. You had surgery to improve your life long term. You can get through this part. It gets easier once you start feeling better and seeing/feeling all the benefits of weight loss. Hang in there!
 
Hi ya’ll

Tomorrow marks my 3 weeks since gastric bypass. It’ll be my second/last week of puréed food before moving to soft foods (thank.god).

So my biggest issue has been energy, I have zero energy what’s so ever. Having little sleep probably isn’t helping and being a long term suffer of depression is also not helpful. I’m also dealing with an issue with fluid round my heart and some in my one lung so yay. I’m just curious how long did it take some of you to feel energy again? I have 0 energy to do anything I love doing (even if I can do it sitting without much effort).

I do want to note I am not on any medication for depression as they were trying new options and all made me very sick so I’m hoping to see if I can go back to what I was on at least for a while. I also notice my anxiety is out of control especially in the mornings. These issues alone make me regret having the surgery so bad.... I guess I just need some motivation/support.
See if you can do gene site testing. That can help eliminate trial and error. Also not sure what class of meds you were on but for example if you have tried several SSRI meds without luck it might be worth looking into trying a SNRI
 
See if you can do gene site testing. That can help eliminate trial and error. Also not sure what class of meds you were on but for example if you have tried several SSRI meds without luck it might be worth looking into trying a SNRI
Not a 100% sure which type I was on. I know lexapro worked for me but they changed me over to wellburtion and another similar med. the last two made me super sick but the lexapro was fine (I mentioned I felt like I was coasting and wasn’t sure if I needed a stronger med or better therapy which is why they changed it). I’m hoping my follow up I can just go back to lexapro and go from there.
 
Not a 100% sure which type I was on. I know lexapro worked for me but they changed me over to wellburtion and another similar med. the last two made me super sick but the lexapro was fine (I mentioned I felt like I was coasting and wasn’t sure if I needed a stronger med or better therapy which is why they changed it). I’m hoping my follow up I can just go back to lexapro and go from there.
Lexapro doesn't dose very high and I have seen people do either very good or nothing at all on it. Lexapro is also notorious for weight gain just an FYI. I personally do not like wellbutrin and encourage people to stay away from it if they can.

Lexapro is a SSRI and can only dose up to 20mg. If you felt like it worked some its possible that other SSRI meds will work but at different doses. Wellbutrin is a NDRI and is an old school med that can come with more side effects. Most often(currently) it is paired with other meds if the primary med has caused a decrease in sex drive.
 
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Yeah I was on the highest 20mg for lexapro and didn’t have much weight gain on it after being on it for a while.
I have to agree about the wellburtin- it made me super sick and panicked. I talked with others who had bad reactions. The lexapro was fine but I found an issue where at times I would feel no energy due to my depression and it became an issue of bouncing around meds. Been close to a year off meds that work :-(
 
Yeah I was on the highest 20mg for lexapro and didn’t have much weight gain on it after being on it for a while.
I have to agree about the wellburtin- it made me super sick and panicked. I talked with others who had bad reactions. The lexapro was fine but I found an issue where at times I would feel no energy due to my depression and it became an issue of bouncing around meds. Been close to a year off meds that work :-(
Lexapro can in some people increase the lethargic feelings. That said I also have my opinions one when docs prescribed a "catch all med" when they are not treating multi issues. If a person has just anxiety or just depression they tend to do better on a med that treats just that but often times docs will use meds that treat both anxiety and depression combo. While it can and does work I have seen many times where it has been less effective then one med for one disorder.
 
After I had surgery it took several weeks for my energy level to return to normal. I felt so week and listless that I could barely make it through the day. It’s important to drink your protein shakes, get some exercise even if you have to force yourself. This may entail going for a couple short walks each day. Also remember to drink plenty of water - 64 ounces. The things will help restore your energy levels. When you start eating solid foods you’ll start to feel even better.
 
After I had surgery it took several weeks for my energy level to return to normal. I felt so week and listless that I could barely make it through the day. It’s important to drink your protein shakes, get some exercise even if you have to force yourself. This may entail going for a couple short walks each day. Also remember to drink plenty of water - 64 ounces. The things will help restore your energy levels. When you start eating solid foods you’ll start to feel even better.

thank you :-)
I have no issues with fluid intake but protein has been a HUGE struggle. Anything diary has really upset my stomach or sits so heavy I can’t eat for almost the rest of the day, or it makes me legit sick. Since being on puréed I have found a few ways to get protein. I plan to try a smoothie/shake next for protein.
 
I love Unjury protein powder and I believe they have a plant based option. I make my own smoothies and have come up with several recipes using protein powder. I don’t like the taste of premixed shakes and I think they’re healthier adding a variety of fruit and spinach or kale it tastier.
 
thank you :)
I have no issues with fluid intake but protein has been a HUGE struggle. Anything diary has really upset my stomach or sits so heavy I can’t eat for almost the rest of the day, or it makes me legit sick. Since being on puréed I have found a few ways to get protein. I plan to try a smoothie/shake next for protein.
You might find that changes as you get further out from surgery, at least I hope so. I think it is a lot of trial and error at times.
 
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