Question:
Has anyone felt paniced after they had surgery?

I am 5 days post-op Lap RNY. Thankfully everything went extremely well. Now that I am home and I see my family I feel somehow that I am not normal anymore. That I am different from them. I want to call my surgeon and tell him to put me back the way I was. I was so prepared for this surgery. I can't believe I feel this way. Please tell me this is normal, that this has happened to others and that it will pass.    — Elizabeth C. (posted on July 31, 2001)

July 30, 2001
My dr and the psychologist who did the psych eval prior to my surgery warned me that panic attacks can occur after, the same with depression. I felt the same way. It comes and goes, but knowing it is "normal" and temporary helps. Your mind is adjusting to a whole new world without food as a crutch. I am now 3 months post op and it is much better and much less frequent and I am VERY happy that I had the surgery done. Don't give up hope! Be good to yourself and it will get much easier. If you have continued panic and/or depression, contact your doctor, there are medications that can help immensely. There are no rewards for suffering when you don't need to. Best of luck to you.
   — Diane B.

July 30, 2001
Elizabeth: Don't worry, you're not alone! I too felt this way, although I'm only 3 weeks post-op I can tell you that each week brings improvement in the way you feel. Both physically and mentally. Recovery...the first 6 weeks or so is the toughest part (from what everyone tells me). I promise you will not feel like this forever or for long. Please make sure you join a support group, whether online or through your surgeon. It helps to have people around in the same boat. Also, I agree with the last post...if you feel that this is too difficult for you, talk to your surgeon and see if he/she can help. Good luck and rest up!!!
   — [Anonymous]

July 30, 2001
Not to panic....!!!! I felt the same way...I thought to myself, what have I done? I mean really thought, what have I done? I am changed and will never be the same again. But you know what...that will pass and as you go through the healing and learning stages coming up and see the change in yourself, you'll know that this was the absolutely right thing to do...I am 12 weeks post-op Lap. RNY and have lost 52 lbs and feel wonderful. I have moments when I hurl and moments when I get really hungery ( I think!) but tell myself this is only a tool and the rest is up to me.. You will be fine and never, never, look back! My best to you and if you want to e-mail me personally it's [email protected] Lonna Grell from Bend Oregon...56 years young
   — Lonna G.

July 31, 2001
DEAR ELIZABTH, I AM NOW 3 1/2 MONTHS OUT. I'VE LOST 60 LBS. I FEEL WONDERFUL. YES ITS NORMAL. AND IT DOES GET BETTER. DON'T BE SCARED EVERYONE FELLS THIS WAY AT SOME TIME OR OTHER.. THE OTHER MORNING MY HUSBAND AND I WENT OUT TO BREAKFAST, WELL THE WAITRESS ASKED ME WHAT WOULD I LIKE... I ASKED FOR A GLASS OF ICE WATER, SLICED TOMATOES, AND COTTAGE CHEESE. SHE SAID "IS THAT ALL?" AND I TOLD HER "YES THANK YOU." WELL SHE TOOK MY HUSBANDS VERY LARGE ORDER AND SHE BROUGHT OUR FOOD. WELL EVERY FIVE MIN SHE WOULD COME BY AND ASK "ARE YOU SURE I CANT GET YOU SOMETHING ELSE YOU DONT LOOK LIKE YOUR EATING IT. SHE THOUGHT I DIDNT LIKE IT. WELL I THEN TOLD HER NO THANK YOU I HAVE HAD SURGERY AND THIS IS THE AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT I EAT AT ONE SITTING. SHE FELT SO UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE I WASNT EATING. WELL WHAT IM GETTING AT IS YES YOUR FAMILY WILL FEEL LIKE YOUR NOT EATING ENOUGH BUT YOU KEEP ON TRACT AND EAT SMALL PORTIONS. TRY NOT TO THINK ABOUT THEM RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE ALOT OF YOUR SELF TO THINK ABOUT. DONT LET PEOPLE INCOURAGE YOU TO EAT MORE. I PROMISE YOU WILL FEEL BETTER SOON. ONCE THAT WEIGHT STARTS FALLING OFF OF YOU, YOU WILL KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT..... READ MY PROFILE YOU'LL SEE IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER....GOOD LUCK...
   — kelly S.

July 31, 2001
DEAR ELIZABETH, I AM NOE 3 1/2 MONTHS OUT. I'VE LOST 60 LBS. THIS IS NORMAL I BELIEVE EVERYONE GOES THRU THIS. EXAMPLE: MY HUSBAND AND I WENT OUT TO BREAKFAST THIS PAST SAT MORN. ANYWAY I ORDERED GLASS OF WATER, SLICED TOMATOES, AND COTTAGE CHEESE.. WELL OF COURSE I LEFT 3/4 OF MY FOOD ON MY PLATE. THE WAITRESS WAS SO WORRIED THAT I DIDNT EAT. SHE WANTED TO BRING ME SOMETHING ELSE. ITS GONNA BE HARD FOR OTHER PEOPLE, BUT THATS OK JUST REMEBER THIS IS YOUR LIFE AND WE WILL DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO TO GET HEALTHY. HANG IN THERE. LIFE IS GREAT.
   — kelly S.

July 31, 2001
Hi! It took me over 5 months to feel sort of normal!! I'm 15 months out, and still play head games with myself. I wouldn't dare tell half of what I think, I live too close to a state Psyc hospital! I talked someone out of having WLS when I was 5 months out. I'm still apologizing for that one. Relax, enjoy your life. You're the same person you were a month ago --
   — CohenHeart