Increased depression/anxiety after surgery?

[Sunta 5]

Hi,

I have been struggling with alot of anxiety and depression in the last two weeks since surgery, and I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced the same thing? I find myself feeling really low, thinking thoughts like "what if this was a huge mistake? What if I have to have another surgery because of future problems?" and I also find myself extremely anxious and upset over worrying about getting a blood clot (I am going to be tested for one this afternoon). My worrying is excessive and distracting. I have had problems like this in the past, but they were well-controlled with Zoloft (I am now on Wellbutrin as Zoloft made me gain 45 pounds). Is this just a temporary side effect or am I backsliding into some anxiety state?

[chabutter 0]

Zoloft made you gain weight? Wow I didnt know it did that, i wonder if it contributed to any of my weight gain.. I am now on celexa..

[JanetC 2]

I did a google search on post-operative depression & came up with this site: http://www.med.umich.edu/depression/condition.htm ... I too have been feeling down. Well, more then down.

It seems that surgery often leads to depression, all kinds of surgery. And the fact that we're facing huge life changes makes it a bigger struggle.

Since you have some history with depression, I would monitor it... journal & what-not to see if it gets too big. If you're not managing it, get help! Just be sure to mention that you're post-op & what the surgery was.

And if anyone knows someone that gives low cost (or free) therapy in the DFW area, lol, let me know!

[Julie* 0]

It's been a rough 2 weeks for me too and I haven't even had the hard recovery that you are dealing with. My surgeon told me at my pre-op that our bodies have gone through alot of trauma just having surgery and to be on a restricted diet afterwards is very very hard.

Hopefully you'll get good news this afternoon about the blood clot and be able to put that behind you. I just keep taking it one day at a time and remembering that I already feel better 17 pounds down even though I starting to get hungry.

There have been a few times that I questioned having the surgery and then my husband reminds me that I was 10 times more miserable when I didn't have a plan. At least now I have a plan and am working towards weight loss.

Hang in there,

Julie

[Monica S 1]

I feel depressed and anxious when I take opiate meds. Are you on the painkillers still? They could definitely contribute.

I hope you feel better. You are not alone.

[Dody 0]

I think RNY is much more difficult to cope with. When it's done it's done (regardless of people might say about it being reversible...doesn't happen that way unless you are near death). In your case, you can always tell yourself the band is a tool, but you have not changed your body in any permanent way that you couldn't change back. That in itself keeps me from getting anxious and depressed. BTW I gained a lot of weight on both Zoloft and Celexa, but at least the Celexa made me feel better. Anytime you take a drug to feel better and it works, you are probably going to eat more if food is your drug of choice. There are now other choices out there..... Best of luck. Remember you have NOT done anything that isn't reversible. Think of it that way and I think you will cope easier.

[Kelliebelly 13]

I went through a depression stage after being banded. It lated a couple of weeks and then as I started to heal more etc it went away. I amhaving PS next week and my surgeon reminded me that 3 or 4 days post op a depression will hit me related to the anaethesia(sp). Then it may hit me again at 3 weeks or so. We all go through OMG what have I done to myself, is this the right thing etc. You will be fine in a couple of days.

Good Luck

[Hedwig 0]

I am sorry you are feeling down. I am glad you wrote about this though. I am hoping to become a bandster in april if the money comes through. and I have to admit I am scared. I feel like I will be happy about the band but at the same time I am afraid I will regret it. I have researched it for a year and am trying to not leave anything unturned, but the depression part is something I didn't think about:confused: . now that you mentioned it I now know it exsists after surgery. thanks for opening up about how you feel. in no time I am sure the benifits will out weigh the negatives. feel better and hugs.

[bandayed 0]

I have heard that Lexapro is better since it doesn't cause weight gain. I take celexa and I know it made me gain weight but I am not ready to go off it..............I am going to ask about lexapro at my next appt. I think the trauma going on with your body right now is MAJOR and there is a huge adjustment period following surgery. Try to bear with it and allow yourself to feel down for a while if it's not too too bad. Good luck with your testing & hang in there. Sorry you are going through this...................