Question:
I am one week Post Op and I have depression.
Is it normal to have depression and always be wondering why you did this surgery right now? — shannon W. (posted on May 14, 2002)
May 14, 2002
I'm pre-op, but through my research I have found that the first two months
can be a struggle emotionally. Not only is your body releasing some extra
hormones, but you have deal with your food issues too. Hang in there. There
is light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, you may have to remind me of
that after my surgery - May 30th.
— Cheryl S.
May 14, 2002
Let me tell you, I have been there!! My doctor's office and this site try
to prepare you for the emotional roller coaster, and you think you'll be
fine but its a very difficult time. My family were having all these
cookouts and picnics and I was still on liquids. I was wondering why I had
the surgery. No one seemed to understand. It's almost like you go through
a grieving period for the food. Hang in there, it really does get better.
I'd like to give you some magic words to make you feel better, but the fact
is, this is something that you have to learn to deal with. Your body and
mind are just fighting the change in habits. I found that once I could
have some soft foods, I didnt feel so left out. Now, I have adjusted to my
new eating and it rarely ever bothers me...only when there are really rich
deserts that I want to eat. But I would do it all over again if I had to.
Best of luck to you. Coping is a process and will not happen over night.
Best of luck to you!!!!
— Cory F.
May 14, 2002
I am 1 day shy of 3 weeks post op and it have been a very emotional 3
weeks! The first week was difficult. I cried when I saw the Shaq Pack
commercial for Burger King. I hated the Carnation Instant Breakfast, water
was painful and I couldn't get in a comfortable position to save my life.
I have even been a little irritable at times towards my family....for no
good reason at all! Although my family is super supportive, I don't expect
them to totally understand and thats ok. "Head Hunger" is
difficult, plus when you are only one week post op every thing just plain
HURTS! It is no fun, but the one thing that got me through the first week
(and each week since that time) is that every week gets easier....and it
truly does!!! I promise. You will still have your "off" days,
but over the next few weeks the "off" days will become fewer and
farther between. Hang in there it will all be worth it. If you would like
to chat, feel free to email me.
— pam29922
May 14, 2002
oh yes I could cry just reading your post.
I also had a hard time with the burger king commercials or any other food
commercial!
but after a few weeks and I started eating normal ( for a post op) things
got better, I am 3 months post op now, I am not saying I never crave the
wrong kinds of foods, just that the depression is gone and I feel great ,
and I am looking even better!
things do get easier, trust me!
— rebecca N.
May 14, 2002
Hi Shannon ~ I'd have to agree with the other posters...it's SO normal. I
made it a point to write a thorough journal out prior to my surgery to help
me answer the question "why did I do this to my body". It helped
but the questions were still there. It's a tough surgery, no doubt about
it. When I hear people say we've taken the easy way out, I want to slap
them...HARD, I want to slap them. :) I had a rough go of things on top of
the surgery because a dear, dear friend of mine died on my day of surgery
so I was in deep sadness over the loss of him (brain tumor at the age of
43) and I had the new post op blues on top of it. My energy and emotions
got a bit better when I was able to move to a full-liquid diet...my doctor
doesn't normally let people off of the clear liquid until we go for our
10-day visit with him but I called him and told him I was really hungry and
he let me move to full liquids around day 8 or 9 - my journal will tell you
more about it if you want to read it. Good luck to you and I'm an email
away if you want to visit. Know your in a complete normal spot....want to
ride the Emotional Roller Coaster of Life...think about having a gastric
bypass surgery. :) I know the rewards and the fun part of surgery will get
there - at least I'm hoping for it but it's not as easy ride...that's for
sure.
— Lisa J.
May 14, 2002
although i have not voiced my feelings to anybody else there are moments i
wonder what i have done to myself. not that i regret having the surgery,
but i just want to see a difference. my scale doesn't seem to be moving (i
know, stay away from the scale). We've had rain forever i think and that is
adding to the depression. i am only 12 days post op and i hate food. i
don't want to eat at all, and those protein shakes..yuck (sorry, don't want
to offend anybody) but they are horrible!!! Good luck...keep smiling,
that's what i'm trying to do. think how we'll look and feel 6 months from
now.
— candymom64
May 14, 2002
I am 2 weeks post op and am having a really tough time too. There are
times I wonder, will I ever be able to pick up my baby and be a good wife
again? I had open RNY and my incision won't quit leaking and I live in
fear that it is going to open up on me. The food issues are taking a back
burner to the incision worries right now. I just wonder when this stupid
thing will heal up so I can hold my daughter again and not be so afraid to
move!
— mamadawny
May 14, 2002
Everyone of us is different, and we all recover from this surgery at
different paces, but one thing is for sure, we all go through the "oh
my God, what have I done and why" and it seems to hit the second or
third week. How long it lasts probably depends on your body and what issues
you are dealing with. I had my surgery on 4-15 and can honestly say that
the 2nd and 3rd weeks were quite the ride. The shaq commercial drove me
crazy, the DQ chocolate brownie shake commercial was just as bad. But all
you can do, is hang in there. There is no going back (and who would want to
go thru another surgery anyway?) It gets better. You start to eat real
foods (proteins and veggies) before you know it, the incisions do heal, and
you will be up and around like never before. It will happen. The plateaus
are tough to take, but keep the faith, the weight will come off. Just know,
you are not alone. we have all been there.
— colleen M.
May 14, 2002
10 MOnths Post op 260 lbs down. Well let me tell ya I remember the
depression more then the surgery. Oh God I thought I was going to die from
it not the surgery. YES YES YES!!!! Very normal. I was explained that while
I was in I was on Morphine for 4 days... Ahhh the good ole days. But once
you come out your with drawing from the morphine not to mention the
addiction we love so much... EATING!!!! So all I can suggest is take your
pain meds... Sleep and start walking a little and it gets better about week
3 I could not sit down, I was filled with energy and my life has not been
the same since.... I FEEL GREAT..... Congrates and welcome to the NEW
YOU!!!
— James V.
May 14, 2002
You are so normal it is funny! I was pretty sure I had made the mistake of
a lifetime until about 8 weeks. It took that long for me and the new tummy
to bond! Now, we are just fine and the depression has lifted! If you were
on anti-depressants pre-op, you still need them post-op. If you weren't on
anti-depressants, just try to get in as much exercise as possible (natural
anti-depressant) and know that it will get better! Best of luck!
— Lisa B.
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