Question:
I came home from my surgery full of energy, now three weeks later I am so depressed.
It is like I am experiencing some anti climatic event such as Christmas. So much anticipation and excitement.....and now a let down. Is this normal — Cynthia N. (posted on January 1, 2003)
January 1, 2003
Cynthia, it's completely normal. It's kind of like post partum depression.
Your hormones are sooooo out of wack from fast weightloss and also from
MAJOR surgery and the shock on your body. Give it time, you'll be o.k.
soon. If you get really depressed, talk to your doctor and get on
antidepressants. Some post-ops need the extra help at first. Congrats and
hugs to you. It gets better.
— Cinna G.
January 1, 2003
Cynthia: This happened with BOTH my surgeries. It was like I was on a
real energy high and then hit a slump at 3 weeks post-op. My energy level
just decreased, I felt tender and out of it. It lasted for about 1-2 weeks
and then I got my energy level back. :) All the best, Teresa (lap DS
January 25, 2001; Emergency open hernia repair/resection/BPD-DS
revision/appendectomy - THE WORKS, preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45 (5'10")
now: 138 lbs/bmi 20)
— Teresa N.
January 1, 2003
hi there :) just wanted to let ya know that what you are going through is
so very normal. your body has just gone through something major and your
hormones are wacky. anestetics can mess with you as well. in time you will
feel yourself getting back to normal,hang in there! :)
— carrie M.
January 1, 2003
Cynthia you are experiencing emotions that are normal to a lot of us. I
have to admit that I DID NOT come home from surgery full of energy. The
first few weeks were pure hell. I had Open RNY (11/11/02) and my
gallbladder removed. I was in enough pain to last me a lifetime. I know
everyone told me it gets easier with each day so I held on to that hope. I
thought it was getting easier. Then on 11/30 I went to a family get
together with all of my brothers & sisters (significant others &
children). At that point I had barely eaten more than a liquid diet.
Well, at this get together it was a huge feast. My brother's girlfriend is
Greek and was raised on very rich foods. So they had appetizers and then
an Italian full course meal. After that they had turkey, stuffing, the
WORKS. Following that they had dessert. After dessert was more and more
and more. It NEVER stopped. I had a very small piece of turkey and
diluted apple juice. That whole day I had been feeling a little sick to my
stomach and extremely tired. I felt like pure crap. I'd have to say that
was my hardest day since surgery. I wanted to lay down in the fetal
position and cry. And I did. I went to my brother's soon to be step
daughter's bedroom to lay down in her bed and I cried and I cried and I
cried! Not because of the food though. I wasn't hungry or anything like
that. But that day I truly regretted having surgery. To this day I
haven't been thankful for the surgery. I know one day I will be but I
haven't come to that day yet. I don't regret having it (except for that
one day) though. I never had children but it almost reminds me of the baby
blues that people talk about. After almost a month I went back to college.
I was busy busy busy for a few weeks trying to catch up on my work and
then preparing for finals. The day after my last final I went back to work
full time. And now I don't have the time to be depressed. Going back to
work was the best thing I could have done. It has really made all the
difference in the world for me. Maybe you have too much TIME on your hands
to think about things. I bet if you busy yourself with a few things it
won't seem so bad. If you need someone to talk to feel free to drop me an
email. :o)
— Tracy A.
January 1, 2003
Hi. I am 5 weeks post-op and I wonder if I did the right thing some days.
I'm so depressed right now. I totally feel the way you do. I was so
excited to be getting this done and now that I have done it, it's
like....now what? What was the big deal. Everyone keeps telling me the
big deal will come after a few months. I have lost 42 pounds so far, but
because I started at 350, I really can't see the difference so that gets
you depressed too. The 42 pounds just don't impress me at this point.
Everyone says wow 42 pounds in 5 weeks....GREAT! I'm like....WHATEVER. LOL
So for everyone who says it will get better you all better be right or I'm
coming after all of you. LOL Good Luck. :)
— NikkiCarter
January 2, 2003
It is totally normal to feel some depression post-op. This can be caused by
the anesthesia, the changes you have decided to make, or anything. The
depression can last from 2-6 weeks and is totally normal. During this time
take care yourself; pamper yourself and do things that make you feel
better. You are totally normal, although I know it does not feel good to be
down in the dumps.
— twenc
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