phoenixgen2

Hi Phoenixgen! I have been thinking about this quite a bit since I read it. I was glad to hear that you were able to speak with a few doctors and are now taking an anti-anxiety med. I am pre-op so I cannot speak of experience of being in your shoes however I have suffered with anxiety attacks for almost 30 years. One thing I learned about xanax is your body will tell you if your taking the right dose. If you get sleepy, you took more than you needed. And as you manage your anxiety correctly and effectively, you will very likely be able to eventually decrease or discontinue meds. For years I needed it daily and gradually I was able to go off of it. I still see a psychiatrist for depression and I always get a Rx for xanax but most times I dont fill it. Once a year I fill it to keep a few pills in my purse and really never need them. Just knowing they are there helps manage the anxiety.

About whats causing the hyperventilation, there are so many things it could be. It is an emotional response. And food has been an emotional issue for all of us having this procedure from one degree to another. Have you ever thought that the weight you have/had on was a barrier/protection from the outside world? As I thought about your situation, this is something that crossed my mind that might be an issue for me after surgery. And I probably wouldnt have thought of it if I didnt read your blog. I thank you for that. I had a few bad relationships and just literally created my own bubble around me. I am finally ready to step into the world BUT I think knowing that my bubble, that has been a safe place for years, will be gone, would/will cause some level of anxiety.

Whatever your issue is, doctors can help. Psychiatrists and Psychologists with Rx and talk therapy can help you get to the bottom of this. An anti depressant may be helpful for a little bit. I am glad you are seeking treatment. Medication does not have to be forever. Let it be another tool to get you back on your feet! You have made it throught the hardest part. The decision to change your life by having surgery AND actually having the surgery! You are on the other side now! You are very brave and you will get through this! Embrace the new you!

Thank you for helping me to reflect within myself and best wishes to you! You have just a little bit more to get through and then your going to do great!!

Your words are so very reassuring to me. I have emailed my doctor to see if I should be taking them more regularly. Initially they were up to three times a day as needed for panic attacks, so I have been taking them sporadically. I think I may need to take them more regularly to manage the symptoms. I am going to start seeing a psychologist on a more regular basis to get to the root of my anxiety in the hope that I can one day be back in a more normal anxiety range. For now I will keep on keeping on. I was on an anti-depressant before surgery and they upped my dosage because of all the hormones being released after surgery. Watch out for this along with your anxiety levels after surgery because the depression caught me off guard. It is primarily due to the fact that as fat is consumed tons of estrogen is released into your system. My depression is now well managed; I just need to get the anxiety under control.

i switched meds to Lorazepam. Works much better for me.

Were you able eventually to get off the meds?

I run HR operations for a large gaming company. I use my 2 weeks vacation for time off.

youll be fine.. youll get some more engery.. as time goes on.. make sure you get in your protine drinks in it will help you

Thank you so much for the advice. I take it you experienced something similar?

Hi,

I am also from Las Vegas, can I please ask who was your surgeon?

Thank you

The fabulous Dr. James Atkinson and his wonderful and supportive team at Surgical Weight Control Center have made all this possible!!!

I like how you explained it as your relationship to food. I find myself feeling loss of a relationship and sadness and I haven't had surgery yet! I keep thinking about events where food was the center and how I will no longer enjoy those events. I'm trying to give myself talks about the things I will be able to do instead. It's definately tough.

Thank you for such an honest and personal share.

You will be able to enjoy those events again. You will be able to go out for dinner with friends and family and still have a wonderful time. My biggest fear what thinking that I would never enjoy wonderful holiday meals or birthday cake, or sushi ***ht, etc again, but I realized that I will. I can still eat those things, just in much smaller portions. If anything I think it will make me savor and appreciate the food that much more and be able to focus on the people around me at these times.

Just remember that it is not about the food that you eat, but the company you keep.

I can so appreciate where you started from. I was also the "fat chick" all my life. My new surgi-birthday is July 6th, very close to yours.

How is it going for you so far?

Me? it's going OK. I have my good days, and then sometimes not so good, but for the most part, I've lost more weight since I started this journey than I every have my entire life. So those not-so-good days... will pass.

I lost a bit of weight before surgery and have lost an additional 15lbs. since my surgery. Yahhh!

Best regards... LzL

It is going better and better every day. I knew going into this that it would be the hardest thing I would do in my life. But permanent change is always hard, but it always lasts. I just posted my 3 week update. Keep your chin up!!