Question:
What to expect emotionally after surgery and why it happens?

I can understand that there will be changes in my emotions after surgery and I suspect some might be due to the major hormone, etc. shifting with my new body functions. <br><br> What should I forewarn my husband about or what should I be aware might happen? I know everybody's different but I would appreciate all answers. <br><br> Will my patience be shorter, will I be grumpier, is there something I can do to try to keep a more even emotional attitude? <br><br> Thanks for any advice. 16 days from surgery and trying to get all the answers!!    — Deborah N. (posted on December 1, 2002)

December 1, 2002
I think it really depends on what your underlying mental state is before surgery. If you have some long time baggage that hasn't been dealt with, then it is likely to surface at some point. If you have worked through 99% of the issues in your life then you should be able to weather the ups and downs.<p>While I haven't had surgery yet, I have lost 180+ lbs in 13 months before and found the quick weight loss caused an emotional upheaval in my life. Turns there were many unerlying things I had not dealth with and somehow the weight loss ended up being it all to the surface. It was a tough time and a long process to work through things but my depression has been under control for a few years now.<p>Keep you eyes open and ask people close to you to also do the same. If you can catch anything before it gets out of hand then you should be able to turn it around quickly with counseling and medication. Counseling wouldn't hurt, in my opinon, anyway. It's amazing the things that surface. Who would have ever thought I would be sick and tired of being told how good I looked. All I wanted to do was shout that I am the same person I always was, just with a small skin suit. So don't be upset if various things arise, just please seek out the support you need to get through it.<p>Good Luck with your surgery! I'll keep my fingers crossed everything goes great and you have a quick recovery! 16 days - I wish I was in your place!
   — zoedogcbr

December 1, 2002
Like other's have said, it all depends on the person. However, just to give you some sort of Idea as to what happens during the hormone shift. After the 4th day post-op, I developed a case of the weepies. I didn't know why or when, I just know that I felt like I was 3 months pregnant again. It lasted for about 4 days and I was fine. Then came the head hunger. That lasted for a bit more than 4 days. I still suffer from it at times. The key is not to listen to it. Other than that, I was complication free. I too wouldn't regret doing this. My loss is slow, but atleast i'm losing. You'll do fine, again, everyone is different. We can't tell you how you'll feel but we can give you an Idea of what to expect. Good Luck!!
   — Irene M.

December 1, 2002
hi there! good luck with your upcoming surgery. alot of the emotional changes are due to the major surgery you just wnet through,the hormones as all have mentioned,sometimes anestetics can effect emotion too. being sore and tired and "head hungry" all play a part as well. i went through times that i cried at the drop of a pin,cried happy tears for doing so well with surgery and anticipating the future. i went bonkers with the head hunger at first, like that first week but it passed as i healed and got into my new routine of eating, drinking etc. just remember at some tough times, that saying"this too,shall pass" there are times where im still emotional or head hungry but not nearly like i was right out.best of luck to you!
   — carrie M.

December 1, 2002
Everyone is different. I was ecstatic because everything went so well. Vomited only 1 time at about 2 months out. Never any nausea. BUT>>>> let me just say, I was as ready for this surgery as anyone else, but I MISSED food so bad. The first 2 weeks, seemed like every comercial was about food!!!!! Never lost my appetite. & sometimes never feel full. But, I abide by the rules & this does work. I am fortunate to have done so well, but my surgeon says most of her pt's do, so I'm not surprised. <p> Be prepared! This is a life changing experience! A compliment gets me thru those BLUE days, or tryin on some old clothes. <p> Good Luck! -55lb's at 3 months
   — Belinda W.

December 2, 2002
Well my depression got much much much worse. Then to top it off I could'nt take any pills for three months. I'd swallow them and air would come up from my stomach and push the pills up mid throat where they would stay for around 20 minutes. So by the time I took my antidepressants they did'nt kick in. Then come to find out my antidepressant was TIME RELEASE! So after a year I found one that was'nt and now it's doing better. Anyway, you may avoid the post op blues, but then you may not. If you are taking antidepressents, GET THEM CHANGED BEFORE SURGERY TO A NON TIME RELEASE VERSION. Example I was on Welbutrin SR (time released) and now take Welbutrin. (Not SR). Good luck.
   — Danmark

December 2, 2002
I've done very well in the emotions department. I think most of that is due to the fact my recovery went so well. I think one of the key things to do is have a plan for yourself. I committed to my husband to follow my doctor's orders to the absolute letter for first 6 months (variances pending after 6 months are up). I think the only time I really struggle is with the nausea, but on the bright side, there won't be much down there so nausea is short and sweet. :) I had an exercise plan and I've done it every day since I got home from the hospital. I think the exercise improves my mood when I'm having a bad day. I bought Leslie Sansone's WALK AWAY THE POUNDS SET. I do a lot of meal planning so there won't be surprises. My husband says I'm more cheerful now and he's right I'm ecstatic with my results and have so much hope for the future that I did not because my health was so bad before WLS. I deliberately put off purchasing clothes until recently (I had my surgery 8/15/2002 and am down as of today 87 pounds plus another 41 pre-op) and that gave me the confidence to go out and get pieces that made me feel good without scrounging all at once for new wardrobe pieces. It's been a blast!
   — Cathy S.