Depressed from surgery

[babytech82 4]

Hello I am new to the group. I recently had the sleeve done in dec 23. I have lost 15lbs but I'm feeling depressed. I'm not sleeping. I'm not sure if it's because of my anxiety or just depressed. The pain has been bad but now it's more the soreness and crazy eating patterns. I'm not hungry until afternoon. And I'm concerned I'm not balancing the diet the way I should. Any ideas?

[Elode 8,093]

Well, what are you eating? This surgery can be Very taxing in the beginning. It's a pretty major surgery and your body is trying to recover from the trauma it's been put through. Keep in mind you may have been prepared for the surgery for awhile but Your body was not. Are you normally depressed or just now. I'm sure your tired since your not sleeping, your hurting, Your body probably thinks it's starving, it's a lot! The big Plus is with everyday that passes your body recovers more and it gets better! I know it probably sounds like a lot of blah blah blah but it does.

[Elode 8,093]

@@babytech82 Oh and hello, and welcome!!

[babytech82 4]

Thank a lot I appreciate the help.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Hello & welcome.

You need to talk to your doctor about your feelings. There are some that do get a bit depressed post-op. There is some thought that the hormones get thrown off kilter due to the body trying to readjust.

As for eating. Make a schedule to eat and stick to it even when you have no appetite. Getting your fluids and Proteins in regularly is important to your healing process.

[babytech82 4]

Hello & welcome.

You need to talk to your doctor about your feelings. There are some that do get a bit depressed post-op. There is some thought that the hormones get thrown off kilter due to the body trying to readjust.

As for eating. Make a schedule to eat and stick to it even when you have no appetite. Getting your fluids and Proteins in regularly is important to your healing process.

ty

[Elode 8,093]

@@babytech82 You're welcome! Now get some rest!

[SuperDave 1,115]

@@babytech82 - Welcome to the site. There are a lot of extremely helpful people here, like the two who have already posted. I can't give better advice than what they told you, but I wish you the best of luck with your journey! Please keep us posted with your progress. You will feel like a new person in no time at all!

Edited January 4, 2015 by SuperDave

[freerangechickn 1]

The first few weeks after my sleeve were the worst in my recent memory. The reality of the severity of the surgery combined with the consequences overwhelmed me several times. I was in a horrible funk and very depressed. The doc was not very helpful in that particular area, simple explanations about trauma and healing didn't help me much. Relief came in the way of support from my family and especially from someone who had been through what I was going through. You have to know one thing- things are going to improve dramatically very soon. Pick yourself up and move as much as you can. Talk to people often and don't be afraid to share your feelings with people you trust. The eating part will improve as you continue to learn, sometimes the hard way. This too, shall pass. Good luck and congrats. I'm about 7 weeks out and I've lost 43 lbs. Keep going. :-)

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

Sometimes I think people (me included) have unrealistic expectations after surgery; as much as we want to, we will not wake up and find massive amounts of weight gone. It's easy to get into that way of thinking, especially after the very difficult pre-op diet, the pain of the recovery of surgery, and the "I can't see any results fast enough" mode we get ourselves into. It's because we want it sooo bad, and we've already done a whole lot to get there. We need to be patient and let our bodies now follow a course it is not only unfamiliar with, but maybe even fighting. The key is to keep focused on the goal, and especially, to BE PATIENT, Once you find your rhythm, all will kick in. When you can't sleep, try planning what you might wear for the summer months, or what fun exercise routine you can now do that you couldn't before. Or start reading some bariatric recipe books-it might kickstart your desire for breakfast...the key is to plan - always look forward, force yourself to look forward. We are all here for you on this site. We're rooting for YOU!!!

[SimplySheavon 22]

This may be dumb but I was wondering about depression after VSG because 95% of the serotonin produced in the body happens in the stomach. If 85% of your stomach is removed does that mean a significant amount of serotonin is missing as well?

[kmgregory5 0]

I am going through this right now. The last few days have been an emotional roller coaster and made me question my sanity. But I have an anxiety disorder and depression and I didn't take my meds for 3 days after surgery. I also have insomnia.

I had postpartum after all 3 of the births of my boys and that is what I feel like I'm going through.

The only thing getting me through this is talking as much as possible, praying, and exercising. I know in a few weeks I will find a new "normal" and I'll even out. But until then, it sucks!

I'm here any time you want to talk.

[joatsaint 2,814]

I can vividly remember how angry I was at the world, those 2 weeks after surgery. I wanted to fight everyone... good thing I live alone!

And I was having weird apocalyptic dreams for several nights as well. I was dreaming I was in a post-apocalyptic world and I was trying to join a group of survivors. Weird huh?

[p1Sz 52]

I think depression and sleep problems are common, whether related to trauma of surgery, side effects of narcotics, or normal buyers remorse. As far as sleep goes, I had a crazy two days a week out when I could not fall asleep. Slept maybe four hours over two nights. Does your surgery center have a psychologist? If you did a psych consult, I'd consider making an appt with that psych. Hang in there. It gets so much better.

[Sharon1964 2,530]

This may be dumb but I was wondering about depression after VSG because 95% of the serotonin produced in the body happens in the stomach. If 85% of your stomach is removed does that mean a significant amount of serotonin is missing as well?

I'm not sure if you're quoting new research, but traditional science says that while serotonin is found in the stomach, platelets and brain, it is produced in the brain.