Short Fuse

[Saraveronica]

Hi there,

Since my surgery, November 8, I am so angry all of the time. I blow up and get frustrated with the smallest of things. I cant seem to censor what i say either. I used to be quite patient, and could take a fair amount of grief before getting upset. I used to hold most everything in and let it fester.

My poor husband has said on a few occasions, "the thinner you get, the meaner you are becoming."

Is this happening to anyone else?

Thank you,

Sara

[SleevedRN]

Yes. I feel your pain. I get mad really easily now and am having to teach myself how to control my emotional outbursts. I never had an issue before. My husband has told me on several occasions that I have a short fuse now, too. I think it takes time for all of the hormones to settle down after losing so much fat. Fat is packed with hormones and they are being released! I was told things will settle down eventually. Hopefully your husband is as patient as mine.

[ltlsqueak]

Hi Sara. My physician said we might have days like this and to let my primary care physician know if it got out of hand or became too infrequent. I did have several days of extreme grouchiness, but it happened only a couple of times. It may be a good idea to call your PCP Monday and see what they think. I'd also like to add that I take an antidepressant and I still had the grouchiest of moods so I can't imagine how I would have felt without that. I might have killed someone. (jokingly lol)

Hang in there! Please keep in touch. I'd like to know what they suggest. I hear of people going through this, but some seem much worse than others. Take care of yourself and enjoy your Sunday!

[ltlsqueak]

Oh yeah, great job with your weight loss!

[Truebody]

Yeah, we used to censor our thoughts with food.... Take that away and you are compelled to say what you think. Ah well - they can adapt, certain of it.

[Michael Smalley]

I know exactly what you mean. I had the worst mood swings and bouts of utter and complete rage. The littlest thing, like dying whilst playing in a computer game would send me into a downward spiral that either resulted in a frothing madness or a crying fit. The surgeon warned me there would be mood swings and depression after surgery but I was not prepared for how bad they were.

Our hormones are out of whack while we recover, our bodies are changing and healing, and the comfort we used to get from food is gone. The good news is that it will pass. The body will heal and with it, the mind. If you can get through it, and you will, the first two to three months will suck but afterwards, once you start to see the changes to your weight and the positive benefits that come with it, the emotional roller coaster will pass.

[lisa lang]

I am bi-polor w/ depression so I am not looking forward to this I never through of this happening.

[Saraveronica]

Thank you for all of your quick replies. I am so glad to hear that I am not alone in this. My surgeon has told me very little as to what can happen emotionally, hormonally. I will get through this. I need to be slower to react, counting to ten before i blow up. But if it really true, that hormones are in play, that explains a lot and makes it hard to stay in control. It has been 2 1/2 months since surgery, so hopefully, I am at the tail end of this emotional rollercoaster.
My husband is a wonderful man. I cant ask for a better partner for me.

[candik]

I had to laugh when you said your husband said you are getting mean. My boyfriend has said that a couple of times to me as well. I used to be someone who kept all emotions inside but now since I can't (nor do I want to) feed my emotions with food they have to go somewhere. I don't blow up at little things but things that really bother me. I'm sure it will get better as our hormones level out.

[jennyjenny2]

I can relate to what you all are saying..I had a full blown melt down in a store last week because the store wouldn't exchange my broken computer that is still under warranty! I had no Control over my temper and I realized later on that it wasn't very productive or necessary to lose my temper but I guess without the comfort of food the emotions are just coming out...hopefully this will get better! I feel like we need to learn to manage these emotions in a healthy way and that takes time and patience

[Cyndy-loo]

Remember most of us are addicted to food and in the habit that has been laid down over decades - that food is our drug of choice. Especially when the food has been used as a method to deal with the stress and emotions that have been our lives. Change is scary and when we are scared we get mad. There is a reason the anger is coming out. The anger is not the problem - it is what you do with it that counts. The 3rd rule of anger management is that when the anger comes out it can't hurt anyone or anything. Until those emotions are purged from our systems there should be something you do every day that helps to release it. Even though I have not had the surgery yet - I am worried about my addiction and my method of dealing with life's problems. I will put on some heavy metal and will head bang, dance and sing at the top of my lungs. I also started boxing and that is really helping.

[lisa lang]

that's really scary for me I am bi-polor, and that mean mood swings I am going to start trying to find different ways to express my anger.

[Kindle]

...

[sraebaer]

No, I'm getting happier! I would talk to your doctor.

[Ckruts]

I haven't had any problems with mood swings, but my surgeon told me I wouldn't because I am on hormone therapy. I guess that's a good sign based on what many of you have posted.