Question:
I am 4 weeks post-op and have some depression is this normal?

I have never had depression before but lately I have not wanted to get out of bed for the day    — Melissa R. (posted on December 13, 2000)

December 12, 2000
Yes this is normal!! You are still healing from surgery. Give yourself sometime. If you have to talk to a counselor or psychologist do it. I did and it help.
   — Sharon T.

December 12, 2000
This is normal. I never has a depression problem either but you body and your mind have just discovered the changes that have happened and you will get a short lived case of the blues. Keep talking about it and rest as much as you can. Take you suppliments and one day you will wake up and it will be gone, really. Keep posting and let us know how you are feeling, okay?
   — Courtrina Amur W.

December 13, 2000
Yes, Melissa, this is very normal, so hang in there. Your body is out of whack, and you are going through enormous physical and emotional changes. I went through the same thing at about 3 weeks post-op. It lasted a week. I was blue for no apparent reason. My surgery went great with no complications. But what I did find was that I was being very hard on myself as far as eating the right things, and getting in enough protein and water. I read a lot of other posts about the same subject and realized that this was a process that would take time and there was no reason for me to expect to get everything right in just a few weeks. Once I cut myself some slack, the depression went away immediately. Be strong and be patient with yourself! This will pass, I promise!!! :) Smiles and hugs.
   — Paula G.

September 5, 2001
I know how you're feeling! I have had alot of trouble with pain maintenence and when I saw my dr yesterday he determined at the end of the exam as I started crying for no reason I was depressed and suggested I try an anti-depresant. I was pretty depressed the first week but didn't realize I wasn't over it and was causing myself to not heal as quickly because of it. That night after he mentioned that I was depressed and that that was normal due to the hormone changes that occur post op you know I came home with NO PAIN! It was just a huge relief knowing I was normal. So long story a little shorter---You are normal in having some depression due to the hormone fluctuations you are going through and it may be in your best interest to check into an anti-depresent. GOOD LUCK!!! JOLENE
   — Jolene W.