Panic attacks and anxiety post-op

[newbeginning77 26]

I am scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks and the nerves and anxiety are really kicking in. I have had panic attacks for a long time now.I am curious if anyone who also suffers with them has already been sleeved and did it make your attacks worse or has everything worked itself out.

[jessiquoi 623]

I have panic attacks, but they are controlled by medication. I've been sleeved 5 months, and the only time I've had an attack is when I don't take my meds. They seem totally unaffected by my sleeve.

The only difference is that eating used to be an alternate drug for quenching the anxiety (if for whatever reason I hadn't been taking my meds). That's gone now. I try to always remember my medication for this reason.

[Jojo2814 9]

I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks too. I do have medication to help assist with that. I just had the sleeve on 4/14/15. I am actually feeling pretty good so far post op. I honestly haven't had any panic attacks in relation to the sleeve. It's usually everything else around I dwell on and think about constantly that stresses me out. This would lead to me feeding my anxiety and stress with eating or going to have drinks. Just try to find different outlets for you to control or deflect your anxiety. This is an exciting new time for you. Take it just one day at a time, everything else will fall in place.

[newbeginning77 26]

Thank you both so much this helps me alot .I know I need to do this I already talked myself out of it last year and now I am 2 weeks away excited but scared at the same time.

[SimplySharon 30]

I suffer from them as well. I've had anxiety and panic disorder for years. I was scheduled for surgery last November and basically chickened out. I was already under a ton of stress at the time. I just got my second approval and waiting for my date.

I wonder the same thing. Hospitals and being hooked up to machines seem to be big anxiety triggers. I take xanax as needed so I will be taking it if need be. I will not let it stop me this time! You'll do great

[newbeginning77 26]

@@SimplySharon I also was scheduled last year but chickened out here I am a year later scheduled again Im worried but determined to do it this time.

[SimplySharon 30]

@@SimplySharon I also was scheduled last year but chickened out here I am a year later scheduled again Im worried but determined to do it this time.

So what about if made you chicken out last time?

[newbeginning77 26]

Had to have my gallbladder out and had a little bit of a rough recovery and it was supposed to be easy. They overmedicated me in recovery and had a hard time waking up was there for 10 hrs. I was supposed to do sleeve surgery 2 mths later but i was still recovering from my other surgery and I kept telling myself why am I going to willingly do that to myself again lol.So I told myself I could do it on my own but obviously here I am d o I cant .I am really trying not to think of the post op because then I start freaking myself out. Also I am worried about how is it going to feel to try to eat and drink and what if I can't get anything down.I know it sounds crazy but I read the complications posts so I know what can happen and I know that I really should stay off of them. I have my preop on Wednesday so I am hoping it puts my mind at ease a little.

[SimplySharon 30]

So sorry to hear you had a rough recovery. After the birth of my daughter I went into severe panic/anxiety. It was bad! Right after her birth I started to hemmorage sp? Just a little bit, not even enough to worry me they said but of course I panicked and my blood pressure was high probably from the anxiety..my whole entire hospital stay after her birth was so bad!!! I panicked every time they took my bp, every time I stood up I felt like I was gna pass out I was shaky. I couldn't sleep, I barely ate, I was going crazy. My blood work came back perfectly fine every time and they said it was anxiety related. Ever since then it has been a roller coaster.

At least now I can recognize my anxiety for what it is but it still sucks...so now I panic even thinking about hospitals/dr appts/bp monitors/etc so idk how I'll make it through this but I have to or my days will be counted due to my weight.

[Mel24 51]

I am going in tomorrow morning and I have panic disorder/generalized anxiety disorder. I am on Citalopram to keep them at bay, but if I have a break through attack, I have Xanax if I need it. I was freaking out at the pre-op appointment asking if they will give me anything to keep me from having one. The PA told me I was allowed to take a Xanax the morning of as long as it was with a tiny sip of Water. If you are really nervous, ask your doctor if you can pop a Xanax, or something like it to help keep the nerves at bay.

I am actually not nervous at all, which shocks me! But I am probably going to take a Tylenol PM to help me sleep a bit tonight. I'll keep you guys posted on how I do this week.

[newbeginning77 26]

@@Mel24 good luck to you. I will be thinking of you tomorrow and praying for you. Let us know how it goes.

[Mel24 51]

@@Mel24 good luck to you. I will be thinking of you tomorrow and praying for you. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks!

[Brenew 13]

I was sleeved 4/6/15 and suffer from anxiety as well. Since having surgery I feel that it has helped because worrying about weight related health issues that I was always worried about has vanished. I know feel much more relaxed knowing I'm headed in the right direction. I've gone from a 20/22 size pants to a size 16 already! You will not regret this surgery. I have had zero complications because I have done exactly as I am told by my surgeon. Good luck

[newbeginning77 26]

@@Mel24 how are you doing today

[Mel24 51]

@@Mel24 how are you doing today

I am doing good. I was released yesterday, and spent most of the day sleeping on and off. I didn't have any panic or nerves going into the OR, I was quite surprised!

Now I am just coming to terms with what I have done to myself. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret it at all. But drinking Protein shakes are tough, everything is really sweet tasting. So I am doing lots of Water, and about 4 oz of Protein shake (25 grams Protein for 4 oz). I am keeping up on my meds, and that is proving to be important. I am also going to try walking more today, maybe get dressed! ????

But the anxiety is fine, presently surprised actually. I will keep you posted!