Question:
post op 2 weeks depression
I feel embarrassed asking this or saying this but I am feeling so down. I feel very guilty caiuse i know i should be grateful about everything. I guess i am greiving food, especially during canadian thanks giving. I have been feeling alone and would really like some friends to wine i mean talk to lol. its really tough during the recovery time, and i am getting very little sleep...when can one sleep normally. HUGs Dawn — sweetdarling_ab (posted on October 14, 2003)
October 13, 2003
Dawn - you are not alone! I am 16 wks post-op and I felt the same way once
I got home from the hospital. I felt like crap, couldn't eat what I wanted
to, couldn't do a lot of things for myself, slept alot during the day, etc.
Typical of depression, I guess. Plus your body is changing and your mind
is not (yet). I kept wondering if I made the right decision (I still
struggle with that everytime I see a piece of cheesecake!) My days were
turned around as a another poster said, so I took ONE Tylenol PM to help me
sleep at night and made sure I walked during the day, even if it was just
to the mailbox. Good luck to you, it does get better.
— ttilles
October 13, 2003
Don't be afraid or ashamed to call you doctor and let him know what is
going on. My husband had surgery in April, and my son later made a comment
that his dad was "mean as a bear" since he had surgery! He was
right; none of us could do anything to please him, and he was having
trouble sleeping. I had him tell this to our PCP. He started him on
Wellbutrin, and now I have my "old" husband back, and I like him
a lot better!
— koogy
October 13, 2003
Well, at least you are just depressed. 50% of the time I am depressed and
50% of the time I am ANGRY. Or maybe it is 100% depression... I am so
"emotional" that I am confused as to what I am even feeling. On
top of the surgery issues we have the regular life issues that did not go
away because we had surgery... and are probably the main reason we ate
ourselves into the ground in the first place. I am now going into month 3
after surgery though and things are starting to get a little better. I
don't feel as "down" as I did at first and I am not as
"angry". Things will turn around for you also and when the
weight really starts falling off you will feel even BETTER!!!! It is such
a joy when you get that "Personal Accomplishment". God Bless and
keep you! It is gonna be okay.
— Eleanore Davis
October 13, 2003
P.S.... I don't sleep much either. I don't take medicine like I use to
before so I don't need to "sleep it off". (Blood pressure and
pain meds for arthritis). I notice though that on days I exercise a lot I
sleep better. God Bless!
— Eleanore Davis
October 14, 2003
I was not a nice person for at least 3 weeks... I took out my pain and
frustration on my loved ones, and once I did I would cry... sob maybe
better discribes it... Once I was able to care for myself more... and go
back to work... I was a lot better... I have had some bouts in my past with
depression, and I would say it was post op depression... but give it a
little more time and start taking pride in how far you have come in those
two weeks... if it doesnt ware off if a couple more weeks... go see a
doc... there are pleanty of good meds out there to get you through!
— colette73
October 14, 2003
Hi Dawn ... give yourself a break!!! It is completely natural to mourn
food ... for goodness sake, it's been my best friend for years! Been there
for me no matter what (happy, sad, hungry, not hungry, etc.), and to lose
your comfort is very difficult. Keep in mind that you will establish a
different relationship with food. You will be able to eat your favorites
(in limited quantities), if you want to. I've noticed that when my husband
is out for the evening and I'm either angry or bored, I search the cabinets
for something to eat. Not that I'm hungry, I'm resorting to my comfort.
Sometimes I get angrier that I can't find anything to eat!!! Or I settle
for peanut butter on an apple, or raisins (as opposed to chips or whatever
else I would have chosen pre-op). I find it funny that I am NOW realizing
my actions and the timing of them. You obviously didn't make this decision
lightly ... I didn't notice changes day by day, but now at just over 4
months out, I am in such a better place than I was at even 1 month out. It
does get better ... drop the guilt ... it's ok to have those feelings,
don't stifle them .. let them out and go on! And if you need a
"pick-up" ... listen to Bob Marley singing "Every little
thing ... gonna be all right" ... you hear that over and over again,
and you'll start to believe it!! email me if you ever want to talk ... and
hang in there! ;-) LAP RNY 06/18/03 -68
— Karyn B
October 14, 2003
I also suffered from depression after having surgery. I pretty much spent
the first three weeks crying as I was grieving over my loss of the
relationship that I had with food. I must say, it doesn't help when every
other commercial on the tv is for some type of food or restaurant either.
Anyway, my doctor explained that it is very normal to have some depression
after surgery. You should really consider making an appointment with your
pcp to obtain some type of anti depressant for the first six months. Hang
in there. As you are able to eat more things, the depression should lift
some. Take care of yourself. Lap RNY 1/28/2003 down 110lbs.
— C. Burns
October 14, 2003
Dawn,
I remember feeling that wasy and being very concerned about it. Don't
worry...IT WILL PASS! Part of the issue is that you are still very weak
and under all the anesthesia, which affects your mood. Also, you haven't
had any food in a long time and this feels funky in every way. You will
feel normal again once you can eat soft foods and have some flavor again.
I know it feels like the feeling is so strong and it may not go away, but
it does, very quickly. Give yourself at least 6-8 weeks before you really
feel better. Okay? Keep your chin up, there are brighter days ahead.
— Michele B.
October 14, 2003
Dawn, Keep your head up!!! I was HORRIBLY depressed at the two week point.
It does truly get better, I promise.
— Wendy T.
October 15, 2003
Dawn, my surgery date was 3 weeks ago 9/23/03, and I am still experiencing
the feelings that are kinda down. I have recognized that my body went
through a pretty major surgery, although when done by lap, the 6 little
incisions don't look like much - that I have been radically and suddently
cut off from the sole comfort in my life (food!) - and that I am forced to
suddenly learn new habits and new ways of providing compatible, healthy
nutritional intake that won't hurt me going in or out of my pouch. It's
hard work....and all change (good or bad) is uncomfortable. I have
acknowledged all this, and it does seem as if the downside feelings and
doubts have lost some of their power, and I find myself feeling more
positive. And honestly, I did expect this - just didn't know how much self
doubt it was going to generate. I am looking ahead - and looking at the
fact that, at 3 weeks out, I'm down 28 pounds and going. I started at 305,
so I feel a great deal of gratitude. Maybe you should consider giving
yourself permission to feel a bit blue and a bit scared; then pick yourself
up and go on. Also, did you know there is a chat group on this site? That
might help. It does for me once in awhile. And congratulations for making
it to the losing side. You will be fine! Truly. God Bless. Diana:)
— Diana D.
Click Here to Return