anxiety

Hello everyone!

I recently had my 1 month check up although I am a little further out than that now. Long before surgery I was diagnosed with anxiety, but it was controllable on my own, and not anything for concern. After surgery that was not the case, I am getting so upset about things. I am taking 21 hours at school, involved in several groups, and trying to deal with a new life style all at once. I felt so overwhelmed and still do. I got to a point where I really felt like I couldn't control it, its a scary feeling to not feel in control of your emotions. Anyways, I expressed this to my bariatric team and they advised me to talk with my primary care physician and let me know this was normal. My nurse insisted those that struggle with some emotional problems before surgery usually have them worse afterwards. So I have recently been presribed Xanax as needed, and have been referred to a counselor. For the first few days I felt crazy because I never thought I would need these things, but I have realized its for my good. I want to avoid taking the medicine at all costs. My question is for anyone that has felt with emotional problems before and after surgery. Did the medicine affect your weight loss, and if your anxiety increased after surgery did it ever subside or is it a constant thing? The good thing is I am still getting my vitamins and protein.

Thank you,

   Brandi Lynn

First off the emotional turmoil is totally normal as you drop the weight your hormones go into over drive, after awhile (a few months) it should settle down. I'm all for therapy I think the ones *****alize they need it do the best long term with their weight loss journey. It can only help and give you more skills to learn to deal with all the extra stress that can come with weight loss surgery. I would suggest if there is any way you can cut back on your groups for a bit that would be a good idea and let you breathe a bit easier. Let go of anything that isn't totally necessary for the next 6 mos. or so to give yourself some down time for relaxing, you will no doubt need it. Not to worry tho this too shall pass!

I took anxiety meds for a couple years but for the last 6 months I've been completely off and my anxiety is under control. I took something similar to Xanax as needed for major anxiety attacks - as long as i wasn't taking it daily I felt OK about taking it. 

Not sure about any of that,  but I just saw you had your surgery in Knoxville!  I'm also a tennessean, heading to rock island park today to do some hiking! 

Just saying hi to a "neighbor"of sorts. 

Hello neighbor!! I love hiking, its something i vowed to do more of after surgery. Never been there but I will have to check it out. 

I am also from Tennessee. I love to hike, but have never been to Rock Island Park. I just looked it up and I will definitely have to make a trip there! I have not had surgery yet. I go for my consult today with my surgeon!!! I am so excited! Hopefully we can get things scheduled and I won't have to wait to much longer. 

Rock Island was disappointing in the hiking end of things.  The falls are beautiful,  but you don't have to hike to see them,  they are right by the road.  The trails I found were very short.  I found a 1.6 mile trail but it wasn't very exciting.  Burgess was my go-to for stress release and a great hike,  but it's been washed out and they are repairing it right now.  I miss it.  Cummins is great,  but since you have to get wet,  it's too cold right now.  

I hope your consult went well! Best decision I've made so far! Good luck to you! 

I used to take Lexapro for anxiety... I took it for a few years... But I did not like the side effects...so I really can't recommend any should take them. 

But ... Yoga, Meditation, book coloring, and some herbal - natural stuff I take really makes a difference... 

No meds for me,  at least for about 14 years,  but I am struggling with anxiety.  Therapy helps, as does doing something to keep my mind occupied. I have been crocheting in the evening,  and now listening to audiobooks.  It helps me to immerse myself in something other than my problems that I can't do anything about.  

Hala mentioned some of the techniques I use - meditation (try the app Headspace), coloring books, journaling. My therapist suggested an odd one; silly putty. She says if you're a fidgeter, playing with silly putty when you feel anxiety can help ease the tension.

I also find walking a great way to refocus my energy away from anxiety.