Anxiety Sufferers Pre and Post op

[shannonk1676 4]

Good morning,

I have terrible anxiety at times because I "think" to much.

And of course now Pre-Op I have anxiety thinking "will I be able to handle this, will it make my anxiety worse", and so on.

Has anyone experienced their anxiety going away or at least lessening severly based on weight loss? I am hopeing that once I am feeling better about myself and loving me, that my anxiety might start to subside.

Any information would be greatful, I am planning for surgery in January.

Thanks,

Shannon :-)

[AtlantaRed 651]

I am preop but do have anxiety and also think too much! I don't know if losing weight in itself will help but I know losing weight will allow me to get back outdoors for a good hike on the weekend or exercising in general which greatly helps my anxiety.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

In a word, NO.

I don't have anxiety over many things - I can speak publicly, get on airplanes, etc etc.

I am a complete medical phobe though and my upcoming plastics has triggered my anxiety BIG TIME. I am managing it, but not enjoying it.

I will be frank, anxiety aside, I feel that losinng weight has allowed me to "feel" alot more of everything. It is like that extra weight weighed me down.... literally burying emotions. I think that food helped sooth me, I used it like a ballast. If I was feeling down, comfort food comforted me. If I was feeling upset, well... comfort food probably comforted me.

Now, food doesn't work like that for me anymore. Not sure why, but I get no emotional release from eating - it is just food. I think that is a healthy thing. I have replaced it with other self calming things, but it has been a period of adjustment for sure. I do biofeedback, m editation and anything else I can try to replace it.

So, in summary, weight loss makes you feel physically so much better, it solves many health issues, boosts your self esteem - endless good things. It does NOT however solve issues in your life - marital, emotional or otherwise.

[joatsaint 2,814]

This may sound silly, but to get past my anxiety about surgery (I had never had surgery before VSG or really ever visited a doctor) I pretended it wasn't going to happen. I guess you could call it the "Scarlet Ohara" method. Anytime I started to think about the surgery, I'd tell myself that I'd think that another day. Worked for me! :-)

[shannonk1676 4]

Thanks, I like your last paragraph because most of my anxiety is based on health issues, low self esteem, and feeling physically incapable of doing anything.

I'm pretty sure the emotional anxiety issues stems from my weight because I never had the anxiety until I was getting heavier and heavier and obsessing over my weight.

Thanks for your reply! All the information I can get is going to help. :-)

[Sassygirl06 962]

My anxiety over social situations in a way has gotten better. I no longer constantly worry about what others think of me....however I felt more comfortable in dangerous situations when I was bigger because nobody wanted to mess with me. So I think it is a draw. I hope it gets better for you!

[kvdme 64]

I had food removal anxiety at first. Where your hurting, not feeling all that great first few days, food was my medicine and it was no there and no way to have it so you can really go through funk about it. I too am emotional eater and bordem eater. But I was regretting my surgery pretty big time and had a few self loath moments but...... this passes. I am today 8 days post op and haven't had those feelingst since 3rd day. Just remember you will have good food once again and your eating to heal at first, not eating to deprive yourself of never having food again. A lot have doctors that have them do Protein Drink big time, mine does not. I am not missing food right now really and feel pretty good. Just be prepared for wanting to comfort your anxiety with food and remember this passes!! I have Afib so anxiety is not good for me. Just try to keep it all in perspective, Your sleeve is a tool for weight loss.Its just a tool. And after the first few days to a week, you will feel and see some weight coming off, you will learn what its like to be full and hungry again. Its all new! And really, its pretty exciting time. YOU have control and for some of us, for the first time in our lives. You will do great! You will be healthy! You will be able to be so much more active and healthy, you will not have something like food controlling you!. When they say its a journey, it is exactly that, a great journey. Eat to live, not live to eat. Good luck you will do great!

[shannonk1676 4]

I just re read your post and it made me feel really good. I had terrible Anxiety over the weekend, which causes me to have heart palpitations and that freaks me out!!! Because then it spirals thinking something is wrong with my heart, am I okay, should I go to the hospital. I think I need to find some ways of learning deep breathing exercises, and start excercising more as I know that too will help with the anxiety.

Thanks for your post, it really made me feel better. :-)

Hope you are doing well, looks like you have had an amazing journey!