Question:
When will I feel better mentally? I'm 6 days post-op and I feel like this was all for
nothing because I feel like a big, blobby, hacked up, bruised up mess. When will this funk pass? Did anyone else go through this? — Janice P. (posted on January 23, 2002)
January 22, 2002
I think the majority of us have been there. I know I have. Remember that
you need to be kind to your body because you just had major surgery. Your
systems and hormones and emotions will be all out of whack for a while. It
will pass. And after you really start to lose you will feel much better! I
really started to feel good about day 8 or 9, then had another depression
when I had an early plateau from weeks 3-6. If that happens to you remember
to keep taking measurements. I wasn't losing pounds, but I was losing
inches. If I had snapped to that fact I probably wouldn't have felt so bad.
Be kind to yourself: Rest, drink your fluids, get as much protein as you
can, and be down in the dumps if you need to. It's normal!
— ctyst
January 22, 2002
I truly believe the mental part is the hardest part of this surgery. I
agree with the first poster, our bodies have been through a major shock.
I've also heard the anesthesia causes some changes in how we feel mentally.
On top of being in some discomfort, having our systems trying to get back
to normal and wanting to be back to normal yesterday, it's all to be
expected. I am 5 weeks out and still have times when I feel very low. I
can see the weight loss but there are no scales that can weigh me until the
7th. My mind wants to SEE the numbers now. You will have good days and
bad ones but the good ones will soon far outnumber the bad ones. Think
positively!
— grammie5
January 22, 2002
Janice, I'm so sorry you are not feeling good. I think all of us that have
had WLS have felt the same way. I started feeling better when I was able
to get out of the house, about two weeks (though I really pushed it, lol!)
I started feeling even better when I was able to get back to my housework,
and doing my own driving (at about three weeks). This won't last, you will
soon be loosing weight so fast... you'll be ecstatic! I'll keep you in
my prayers until then :)
— DonnaCarol
January 23, 2002
I'm sorry you're feeling down, but like the previous posters said, it will
pass. I know exactly how you feel because I remember being about 2 weeks
out, sitting on my bed crying because I just didn't feel like ME anymore.
I went back to work at about 2 1/2 weeks (after open rny) and that REALLY
made me feel better. Just to get back to my normal routine really helped
the mental part. I think sitting at home with nothing much to focus on
besides how bad you feel, how your incision looks, every pain, pull, odd
sensation, what you're eating, what you're NOT eating, etc. all contributes
to the funk. The sooner you feel good enough to get back to your normal
daily routine, the faster you'll start feeling that funk lift. I'm now 5+
months out and feel BETTER than I did before surgery mentally, emotionally
and, of course, physically, too. Take care of yourself and just know in
your heart (even if your head doesn't accept it yet) that the blues will
fade away soon and you'll be feeling better than ever! Good Luck!
— Jenper
January 23, 2002
I had hardly any pain and even that wasn't bad so I felt great until I left
the hospital. The first few days I got home I wasn't in pain but I had
trouble holding things down. I felt pukey and all I could wonder was
"When is this going to end?" That was over within a few days.
Now 5 weeks out I think this is the best thing I've ever done for myself.
Just know that this passes and in a few weeks you will barely remember this
time at all! Good Luck!
— Pamela P.
January 23, 2002
yes you are not alone the first few weeks I was a basketcase cryed for
everything looked at my incision and cryed I even told my hubby I didnt
smell like me any more! but it does get better I am 13 weeks post op and
feel wonderful 83lb loser!!!!! once you see the weight come off and your
body gets over the trauma you will feel great good luck and God Bless.
geriros
— gerirose C.
January 23, 2002
Janice, I'm right there with you not feeling myself, easily on the verge of
tears which is very unusual for me but I know I'm a little stronger today
then yesterday and hopefully tomorrow will be the same. I'm sure we'll both
cheer up when our scales start showing less weight then when we went in the
hospital. I'm dismayed I'm still a pound over the day we went in.
— Candace F.
January 23, 2002
I am 7 days post op and I feel the same way. I want food so bad. I smell
it when my husband makes it for the rest of the family. It seems like
every single commercial is about food. I know people say at first you feel
like "why did I do this to myself?" I thought I wouldn't feel
this way. I miss food. I miss the bag of cookies I would chow on when I
read people's profiles every night. I miss being able to run to McDonald's
for a quick bite. I miss food. I guess this isn't helpful, but I wanted
you to know I am in the same boat. I feel fat, and miss my food. At this
point, I don't even think that losing weight will make me think it's worth
it. I still won't have my box of ding dongs.
— Goldilauxx B.
January 23, 2002
You are not alone in feeling that way. I am 15 days post-op and had the
same exact feelings. I felt that I wasn't losing any weight and I just
knew that I would be the first one that the surgery didn't work for. I
would cry at the drop of a hat and that is not like me. I have been
getting better each and every day. I make myself go out and do things like
shop and cook for the family. The head hunger is still a problem but I
never eat the stuff because it would just make me sick. Yesterday I had my
2 week follow-up appt. and I'm down 17lbs. That sure helped me to feel
alot better! So hang in there it will get better every day and you have
great things to look forward to in your near future!!
Vicki
— vmize
January 24, 2002
Hang in there!! For me the "yucky" feelings lifted at about 6
weeks. I think it has alot to do with the fact that we have had major
surgery. The anesthesia and various pain killers can leave you feeling
poorly for several weeks. Depression, pain and second thoughts are normal
so soon into the process. Very soon, the time will come when you feel
great!
— Bobbie B.
January 24, 2002
I just had to post again. I got my drain tube out today and feel
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better. I get to start my pureed food today too! I
feel much much better than when I posted last. The first week was the
hardest for me because I was on a liquid diet for 10 days and got shaky
when my blood sugar would drop. Orange juice helped, but there is no
substitute for food! I feel great!
— Goldilauxx B.
January 27, 2002
I started feeling better at 4 weeks out, but it is the end of my 6th week
right now, and I go back to work tomorrow which has given me a lift. I have
been a little out of sorts, but now that my life will getting back to being
more structured I will have less time to dwell on things. I think the same
will happen for you.
— sbinkerd1
January 30, 2002
I too am only 6 days post op and so can relate to your feelings. I cry at
commericals on TV and "happy" songs and being all sore and icky.
I'm not usually a cryer.
I'm glad this feeling is normal. I feel like I've made the worst decision
of my life and can't reverse it now.
I do hope it does get better
— blank first name B.
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