Question:
Emotions
I spoke to someone who had the RNY & she said that for over a month she was very emotional & somewhat depressed. Is this normal for all after RNY? She said that it was due to the lack of vitamins, etc. even though she was indeed taking the required amount of vitamins. She warned me that I would change & that frightens me because I'm not a depressed person. Very happily married & doing great. I'm scheduled for RNY next month. Can you give me feedback on both negative & positve? — Ruth M. (posted on January 28, 2009)
January 27, 2009
HI i was extremely emotional after my surgery for a good month. but i also
had complications. i cryed at least 6 hrs a day every day. then when i
thought i couldnt stand it any more i woke up the next day and was fine.
very weird
— pinky_711
January 27, 2009
I had my surgery in July, I am a very happy person also, I got sick a
couple of times, but never depressed or 2nd thoughts, you will do just
fine, it gets better and better with each passing day, Prayers be with you.
God Bless.
— [Deactivated Member]
January 27, 2009
Ruth, I didn't have an RNY (I had a VBG -- vertical banded gastroplasty --
in 2000) but I did have the emotional stuff for a while after the surgery
(I don't honestly remember how long for, but it was longer than a day and
shorter than six months). I would also venture that this is due more to
the hormones that are released back into your system as you lose weight
rather than the vitamins you take, and it does pass. For me, it wasn't
that unlike what it felt like for about three months after my kids were
born -- I sobbed uncontrollably watching Hallmark TV commercials. The
important thing is, it does pass, and becomes more manageable and less
noticeable as time goes on. As for your friend saying "you'll
change", you will, but it doesn't necessarily mean that your marriage
is over and you'll be walking around with a thundercloud over your head for
the rest of your natural life. But you will change simply by virtue of
having the surgery -- and most of those changes are good. You'll be able
to tie your shoes without fainting, walk more than ten feet without
collapsing in a heap, buy clothes in a "normal" store, fit in
airplane seats, through turnstiles, and in booths, wave goodbye to your
CPAP machine and possibly your BP meds, diabetes, and cholesterol pills --
so getting a little weepy over stupid TV commercials is SO worth it! Best
of luck --
— Cheryl Denomy
January 28, 2009
I am a happy go lucky person but when food is your drug of choice and you
cannot eat your yummy comfort foods it gets to you. I think I cried once
about a month into it. After that I was getting so thin I did not care if
I could eat all that bad food anymore.
— Carlyn M.
January 28, 2009
Actually...your feel and get a bit "crazy" like teenage PMS
because during our fast weight loss, our hormomnes (that reside in our fat
cells) are released back into out bodies and have no where to go. They
float around and float around and make you crazy for about 2 weeks (for
me) and I have heard to over a month. The trick is to know WHAT is causing
it and to be AWARE of our attitude and surroundings and triggers and just
try to keep CALM and EVEN TEMPTER until it passes. it is persists, see your
doc.
— jammerz
January 28, 2009
I was fine after. But they did warn us that crying was very common and that
emotions can get the better of you for a while.
But it is well worth it. I notice while I am not so emotional I don't smile
as much now. I use to smile all the time, but I think it was a cover to
hide how sad I was being so heavy. Now I can wear a more neutral face and
be fine with it.
— trible
January 28, 2009
Huh? I never had any emotional ups or downs after my rny last July. No
one even mentioned to me that it was a possibility. I think I'm the same
as I always have been. I also don't PMS each month either so that may have
something to do with my even keel. Don't know, but do know I haven't had
any problems.
— dnefews
January 28, 2009
I don't know that vitamins are the cause, but the stress and forced changes
are quite drastic. I mourned the loss of food, even though I was quite
positive and felt great about my decision. The unknown and the aches and
pains you have make you wonder how long it will last...then for some
everything smells odd, tastes weird...you feel nauseous or you eat or drink
too fast while you are getting reaquainted to your body and how it
functions...All of that plays a huge part on your mood and feelings...For
some it can be very depressing...I am a very positive person and so I
worked thru it never doubting that it would get better...and it
did...Another thing to remember too is that fat cells carry a lot of
hormones such as the hormone that tells us when we are full...This is why
so many of us have no hunger after RNY for a long time. Fat is not just
dead weight...It is more like an organ that carries some nutrients and
hormones...So losing fat at a very fast pace can set off chemical changes
that can be responsible for hormone imbalances... I felt just a little bit
on the crazy side like someone else said. Try to keep a good attitude and
know that it does get easier daily!
— .Anita R.
January 28, 2009
Hi Ruth..I had the RNY in August of 2008. I am on an anti-depressant and
have been for many years. I didn't have any post-op depression. I think
that it varies from person to person though. Most people have a little
depression after any surgery. Hope this helps.
— katiecakes
January 28, 2009
I was told by my surgeon that most people get depressed as they work out a
new relationship with food. I know I still get that way sometimes
especially since I am struggling still with my food choices and trying to
get off this darned plateau I have been on for nearly three months now. I
know it will come, just have to make better healthier choices and be
patient with the process. It is harder when I get depressed. I seem happy
go lucky to others, but inside I get sad and seeking more balance in my
life. I am having a normal time of it, and you should not be afraid to be
depressed if it happens to you. Just work through it.
— cydthekid50
January 28, 2009
I was also depressed for a few weeks after surgery but was told it could be
side effects from anesthesia. Also, you have to keep in mind it is major
surgery and your body will need time to heal from the trauma and adjust to
the changes. But it gets better evry day. Good luck.
— maria09elena
January 28, 2009
I was a little emotional for awhile after surgery I think t is normal. To
go through such a big change in your life and not have some reaction to it
would be hard. I was not depressed just stressed and cranky untill I got
used to all the changes. If you do start with depression and it stays more
than a week or two seek help, lossing fat effects your hormones which we
all know can make you feel crazy. I does all get better with time just hang
in there and remember you are not in this alone. God bless
— kmnae
January 28, 2009
I had rny on Dec.9,2008.I was concerned about the emotional stuff,
especially since I have had a rough year prior to the surgery with the loss
of both of my parents.They were my rock and my security and it has been
more difficult than words can say to live without them. In the months prior
to my surgery, I would leave every dr's appointment or support group mtg or
class for my upcoming surgery an emotional wreck. Not that I doubted for a
second that the surgery was right for me, just feeling sad that my folks
couldn't be there for me. After the surgery, I was ok-no depression or
crying-go figure. I'm just happy that the weight is coming off so quickly
and I am no longer diabetic!
— Kristi K.
January 28, 2009
I has a RNY in October and the emotions I have felt have been nothing more
than joyful. Sure the first 2 weeks were an adjustment mixed with some gas
pains, but well worth it. I think it all depends upon your attitude. I
think of this as a journey of excitement. I have learned so much about
myself ( I didn't realize what a strong woman I am). Good luck with your
surgery. A huge key to success is following all directions to the
"T" before and after your surgery. Pam Dupee
— psrd370
January 28, 2009
Some gals will go through this emotional roller coaster and some wont. I
cant speak for the men folk though. I had lap LB and at one point, I
burned a whole lot of fat VERY fast and I was a wreck emotionally. Fat
stores estrogen and when the fat melts, the estrogen is dumped into your
blood and can cause you to be extremely emotional. For me it was like PMS
x 1,000! Everything and nothing was a trigger for me. I could be driving
down a street and have to pull over cos I couldn't see through the buckets
of tears pouring out of my eyes LOL. I burned about 30 pounds of fat in
about 5 weeks so that could explain it. That is a lot of stored estrogen I
am sure! I don't think vitamin levels have anything to do with this. That
would give you different symptoms like fatigue, body/joint aches,
headaches, etc. The crazed, psychotic state does pass and thank goodness
it does because my husband was ready to jump off a cliff to get away from
me LOL
— ImanAbdulaziz
January 30, 2009
Everyone reacts differently to surgery. I too, was on anti-depressants
before surgery. I had my rny 6/07. I have not had any bouts of
depression. there are just some days when you feel less happy than others.
I am happily married and no problems there, either. That was what I was
warned about...marital issues. Not so for me. You will have your own
experience. I had people telling me lots of horror stories, but I often
wondered if they were jealous. I am absolutely the same person I was
before surgery, only 100+ pounds lighter! Good luck to you! Deb
— Debbi S.
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