Question:
I feel like I am going crazy, I am crying everyday and getting panic attacks.
Is this normal? I feel I have the biggest mistake by having gastric bypass it only been 6 days and I feel lonely( but do have a husband and 3 children under 11) and think about food every minute. I feel like I can't stay in the house so my friends and dad have taken me out and so has my husband. I feel like i am going crazy. Did anyone else feel this way? — USHLY (posted on January 21, 2006)
January 21, 2006
You are feeling very very normal! I had those same feelings and I was
concerned. Everyone I spoke with told me that was normal. You do get over
that feeling. I regreted the surgery for about 2 weeks post-op. Then the
results started to happen...and show. The first few weeks are hard. Your
whole entire body is changing everything that it's been used to. Keep your
chin up! I promise it will get better!
— bandaold
January 21, 2006
I also was the same exact way. I was very depressed and regreted having the
surgery. I was even searching the internet for reversal surgery. I was
also supposed to take prozac and I hadn't in a while so that didn't help.
It will be ok. It will get better.
— jengriggs01
January 21, 2006
Buy all means call your surgeon and tell him,he will call in a script for
you.(for depression) janice
— SWEETPEA52
January 21, 2006
You are perfectly normal. I cried for the first week after surgery. My
poor husband. All I wanted was my "Mommy" to comfort me. It
goes away, but not fast enough I am sure. My first three months i cursed
everyone from my self for doing to my husband for not stopping me, my
parents for letting me do it and the doctor for doing it. I also went
through the panic attacks. If you feel up to it, when you feel lonely you
can email me if you want. I AM 6months out and went thorough all types of
depression and stuff. Commercials used to make my cry!!!! You can get my
email from my post under the name Deana M. I run my own business so I am
on line a lot. Feel better soon
— cheshirecat
January 21, 2006
You are probably mourning the loss of food. The world seems to be totally
focused on food and events that surround them. I think all of us go
through a period of depression - a term my boss used (her daughter just had
the RNY) was buyer's regret........good description. It is a why in the
world did I do this to myself. You will get past that, trust me. I
couldn't be happier at 9 months out and 90 lbs lighter. I feel better than
I have in probably 15-20 years (I am 60). My energy level it way up, and I
like myself. Allow yourself the grieving period, talk to your doctor about
getting something for the depression you are feeling right now, and in a
couple of months this will be behind you. You will be reaping the rewards
of your surgery and this will just be a blip on the way to health and
energy!
Pat
— patgels
January 21, 2006
Vicki, I know exactly how you feel. That time felt to me like when I quit
smoking , sorta like losing your best friend. I would even dream about
food. I wanted so badly to eat something normal I had a popcorn cake and it
caused a blockage. How stupid was that????? Food ,Food, food it is an
addiction. It will get better ,your "withdrawel" will be over
soon. I had my surgery about 3 1/2 months ago and have lost about 75 lbs
and I feel great . It took a while for me to "get over it" but I
did and I would do it again if I had to just to keep feeling this good.E-
mail me if you want . Good luck on your journey.I know you will do
grrrreeaatt.!!! Pam T :^)
— sunnie
January 22, 2006
You are only SIX days out......what you are feeling is normal and will
pass. Really! Also, I believe anesthesia plays a role in this post op
depression, so try to ride it out. Find a good book to read, nap, watch
tv, do whatever you can that you enjoy........don't try to eat out
much.....that will depress you even more. It is hard not to think about
food but try to think about all the things you hope to do when the weight
is off and consider yourself so fortunate to have had the surgery. There
are so many people wanting it that can't afford it and their insurance
excludes it.
— LauraA
January 22, 2006
These are some normal feelings, however, please consider professional help
from a good pdoc, your chemicals are changing and so is your body...you
might be experiencing more than just depressive feelings...you may be at
the beginning of a depression and catch it early....I care....HUGS
— Karen Renee
January 22, 2006
Well, guess what you aren't losing it. You need to remember that food was
your best friend and now it is gone. But you will get over that feeling I
am 9 months out and have lost 103 lbs. I am down to 139 and feel great
believe me it will get better when you get use to life without food. People
never realize how much food things you do till you don't have them. Just
take your time and things will be fine I promise you... I was on pazil
before my surgery and tried stop taking it when I had my surgery bad
decision for then my body was going through 2 withdraws. To me not being
able to eat was like quiting smoking it is a withdraw... Good luck and if
you ever want to talk please qrite me
— NYCindy
January 22, 2006
so very normal, i was that way for 3 months!!! i had a hard time dealing
with what i had done to my insides, paxil save my life. it really made the
panic attacks and the anxiety and depression go away. i thought it was just
my heart. go talk to someone and dont be afraid to try an anti depressant
for a little while to help you get thru this. i cried everyday and thought
everything that hurt was all due to some thing going wrong with my insides.
i hope you get some advice for people who have been thru this. im glad i
did. it will get better but you have to make it happen sometimes. keep us
updated, id like to know if you improve. sincerely hugs, shelly email me
anytime. ive been there.
— shellypoe
January 22, 2006
Vicki,
This is not only very normal but I would be concerned if you didn't feel
this way! Your body is pissed off at you for what happened and it will take
time to heal.You will have the crying thing for a while. It is partially
from the emotional aspects of food loss, major changes, etc. There is a
medical reason as well. Fat tissue holds estrogen and as your body goes
through rapid loss (which REALLY happens right after because you can't have
solid food), the estrogen and other crap your fat was holding gets released
into your system. Talk to your doctor about it and there is no shame in
getting an antidepressant. I would suggest Wellbutrin. You will have to cut
it up the first six weeks or so but it is what my Dr reccommended because
it addresses the parts of the brain that help with decision making, etc.
— valmommyt
January 22, 2006
It IS a major life change! Feeling stress and doubt is very normal.
— Novashannon
January 22, 2006
Sorry your feeling on the down side, this will pass. Your feeling the loss
of your best friend "food'! I went through the same thing, it takes
time but soon you will be so thrilled with the surgery results you'll find
new friends: clothes & all the things that restricted you before. This
is no mistake! The future is bright give it time!
Rebecca
— nube41
January 22, 2006
Dear Vickie,
In addition to all of the other posts, please know that when you are given
anesthesia, is is a bombardment of drugs that can and most often cause a
depression. Call you dr. and get a script for an antidepressant like
SSRI-just ask for those letters, and I assure you things will get better.
This is a chemical problem in the early post-op period. Best Wishes.
Carla
— [Deactivated Member]
January 22, 2006
I am five days out of surgery and am experiencing the exact same feelings,
I actually came here to ask if anyone else was feeling the same....I guess
what we are feeling is normal but that doesnt help the fact that it
sucks..hang in there:)
— SawAFraggle
January 22, 2006
I am so sorry you are feeling this way, it brings back memories of my first
few weeks after surgery. It is hard, oh so hard, but you will make it
through it and those feelings of regret will melt away just as the pounds
will. Everything is changing and that can't happen without some mental
effects as well. Just try to be strong and you all will be ok! Just
remember, you are very fortunate... many others can't even have this
life-saving surgery! Have a great day and keep your chin up!
Amber
— septembergirl73
January 23, 2006
Your feelings are completely normal. I think a majority of people question
their decsion to have surgery during the early months. I found that the
emotional part of not being able to eat much more difficult than the
physical part of having surgery. You are still very early out and I think
most people start to feel better about their decision once the weight
starts to come off and once they are able to eat more food. I also took
anti depressants which helped so very much. For me the medication helped
to balance me out. If you can avoid watching TV commercials I think this
would be good. I found that watching commercials was kind of like torture.
Wanting to eat, but not being able to. I hope you start to feel better
about your decsion. I know I do.
— C. Burns
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