Re: Is depression normal???
I would expect thats common, being so nervous/excited to get over the hump of having the surgery, and then reality hits. Set small goals for yourself, go for a walk, call a friend just being aware of how your feeling is awesome. Here for you if you wanna vent. :)
Re: Is depression normal???
I think it is pretty common to feel depressed after a major surgery or a bad illness such as the flu. You are bound to bed and or to your home for quite some time, and get cabin fever. The body takes a while to feel normal again, and your activities have to be restricted until your doctor gives you unrestricted clearance to participate fully in any activities you were previously doing. Surgery is just the first step on a long road we'll be traveling for the rest of our lives. It's kinda like getting married. The wedding is exciting, there's a lot of preplanning and hopeful anticipation. But then reality sets in and you realize this is for the rest of your life. It's not glamorous to eat so little, to restrict our diets from those things we used to love, to count our protein grams and calories and fat grams and carbs every day. But it is our new reality. What is glamorous is when you start getting compliments on how good you look, and when you get to buy cool new clothes in smaller sizes, and when you feel better and are able to do so much more than you used to be able to do. Be patient with yourself, and the glamor will come! Until then, know that you have taken charge of your health, and are on the path to better looks and good fitness and a long, healthy life. Blessings on your journey!
Re: Is depression normal???
don't think I can top Diane. I would rather expect some depression to set in.....your body hurts, you are changing your life, you just had surgery, your entire life is changing I would be worried if you weren't feeling a little something. give it time, everything will level out. I get scared reading about everybodies journeys and wonder is this really worth it? You tell me in a couple of weeks when you feel better okay?
Hang in there one day at a time.....
Re: Is depression normal???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modifiedskittle
Has anyone else had a problem with depression or irritability right after surgery?
Hell yeah!!!! :mad:
I have been a bee-yotch on wheels. Quite unlike my usual cherubic demeanor!! :rolleyes:
Its natural....the anesthesia, pain meds, brain chemistry reactions to the dietary changes, and removal of the Ghrelin-producing part of the stomach....
Physical limitations, the torture (mental and physical!) of the dietary restrictions.
Who the heck WOULDN'T get depressed at all of that!!!?
It will pass, I'm sure of it.
Re: Is depression normal???
Thank you everyone for the advice and support. I think once I get off of this every hour liquid diet and all the soreness goes away I will start feeling more normal. Thank you again! I appreciate the support and advice
Re: Is depression normal???
JUST GOT BACK FROM DR. APPT LOOK AT WEIGHT, yes I am down 18 lbs this month still pre-op but I needed a little positive reinforcement
I am GONNADOIT
Re: Is depression normal???
Good job gonnadoit!!
Dear modifiedskittle. Please keep your chin up. Tell your self every day that tomorrow will be better. I have faith and you need to too!! Remind yourself every day why you did this!!
Will be thinking of you and sending all the positive thoughts I can!!
Hope you get feeling better soon.
;)
Re: Is depression normal???
Dear Modified,
I posted the following on my blog the other day. And remember that if you used food as a coping mechanism before the surgery, there is now a hole there. We need to figure out what we are going to replace food with as a coping mechanism.
Also, consider that if you were given narcotics for pain relief afterwards and to take home, that can exacerbate depression as well. I have suffered with severe depression over the years and I know a lot about the topic. Please contact me if you want to talk...I have a big shoulder. Here is the blog post...
I had a therapy session today, and my therapist gave me a very simple but profound visual regarding exercise being a stress reliever.
When we are in a state of stress, our bodies hold that energy in the form of tensed muscles. When we exercise, we are fatiguing those muscles taking their state below baseline into the recovery phase, at which time we feel relaxed because we basically have no choice; our muscles are recovering from being exhausted. And in my opinion, to say it another way, when we are stressed, we have a heightened amount of adrenaline in our systems. When we exercise and fatigue our muscles, we are getting rid of the adrenaline as we would in fight-or-flight mode when the tiger is looking for a tasty lunch and we have no choice but to RUN!
We also talked about the various emotional implications that inevitably come along with a drastic life changing event like having weight loss surgery. He pointed out that it is important to stay mindful of where my emotions are on this journey, because as we all know, I have a tendency to let my emotions get the best of me.
I have admitted that while things are awesome right now, I know that they won't always be. I have already gone through a sort of 'mourning' period where I really missed food during the pre-op liquid and post-op clear/full liquid phases. Now that I am able to eat soft foods, that is much better, and even though I'm only getting 4-500 calories per day, I don't feel deprived. I eat dinner with my family; protein first, and obviously about a tenth of what I used to eat (if not less).
I am so happy to be on my journey...and as my motto states...Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts
~Lisa~
Re: Is depression normal???
Yup....I'm 5 days post op and although minimal I have had some sad thoughts.
Thoughts of:
why did I do this?
Why couldn't I do this on my own?
and I miss PIZZA!!! :-(
I practice Buddhism and went to mediation yesterday. I must say that I was totally stir crazy and could not stop thinking about EVERYTHING. Meditation is a calming of the mind...it took me a while to get there but once I did, I felt much better about myself and the choice I had made. The day of the surgery I practiced breathing because I was so nervous. When you feel sad/angry/depressed....just try breathing deeply and count your breaths. Here is an easy to read link for learning how to meditate -->
How to Meditate - wikiHow
I swear by it when I need to calm the mind. Hope it helps.
xoxo,
sol
Re: Is depression normal???
I had my sleeve on May 16th. I too am having depression issues. Like you I have had problems with it prior to surgery but it seems like after surgery I have taken a turn for the worse. I'm going into see my PCP this week to see if we can switch things up or what we should do. I think the not eating very much and only certain things has really put me in a funk. Hope things get better for you but your not alone.
Re: Is depression normal???
Hiya. I am 4 weeks post op.
I have a history of anxiety and depression and mine hit me about 10 days ago.
I think I ave used food as an emotional therapy for so long and now it has been taken away from me, I am not sure how to deal with certain thoughts and feelings. If ever I was anxious in the past, I would eat and that seemed to calm me down, likewise if I was depressed. I have had thoughts of why did I do this many time since surgery, but I know it will be worth it in the long run.
It seems like I take 3 steps forward and 2 back but on the whole I think I am improving. I am in the uk and I am on medication for this. Maybe I need to step these up for a while. I don't have the luxury of a therapist, only a gp who likes to add more medication to my list.
I am sure things will improve in the long run. Gonna look into meditation and see if I see any improvements.
Someone said to me that gastric surgery was a bit like postnatal depression. Well I had that really bad and I hope this doesn't develop.
Would love to hear from others who have suffered.
On the subject of the gastric sleeve itself, I am doing really well.just eating sift foods now, so that's a big positive and this forums have been brilliant xxxx
Re: Is depression normal???
@Donna every time you take 3 steps forward and 2 back, you are still 1 step ahead of where you started always keep that in mind.
baby steps will get us there. I hope I can control the anxiety and depression if and when it hits but if not, I have dealt with it before and overcome it I feel stronger than I ever have in my life. Scared sh*tless but I know I will come out the other side. The lite at the end of the tunnel is not the train fixing to run me over ---- it is my salvation and a new day
hang in there as this too shall pass
Re: Is depression normal???
Thank You For Sharing This Subject .. I Was Kidding Around Earlier With My Friends Calling It "Post Surgery Psychosis" After I Was Having What I Thought Was A Nervous Breakdown..l'm 3 Months Out And I've Never Experienced So Many Highs & Lows In My 53 Years Of Life.. I Don't Know Who I Am Anymore Or What I'm Becoming But It Scares Me So Much I'm Going To Seek Professional Help.. I Thought Having The Surgery Would Make Me A Happier Person.. But To Be Honest I Feel More Miserable Now Than I Did 30lbs Ago.. I Even Took A Psyche Eval Before The Surgery And It Was Fine So I Don't Know What Is Going On With Me.
Re: Is depression normal???
I have had severe depression/anxiety for the past 15 years. Although I am on antidepressants I also use art therapy. Google it. YouTube it.
Hope this helps xo