spangebabe

Has anyone experienced this? Im 5 weeks post op, i have been on prozac for years, its capsule form, i had breakdown 10 years ago (panic/anxiety that lasted 4 days and nights uncontrolled, had to "think to breathe" and all other panic/anxiety symptoms) but have been managed since then, as soon as i came around from surgery a attack started as felt couldnt breathe, it subsided over the days and i dealt with it, went back to work 2 weeks post op, then BOOM one day driving to work massive panic/anxiety attack, rushed to hospital all stats were good, valium calmed me down, been in hell every day since (nearly 2 weeks) visited a psychiatrist and on 4 x a day special valium plus the prozac, he thinks my prozac has not been absorbing correctly (capsule form) or breaking down correctly as small tummy now and not enough acid production. I dont feel depressed, no way, im eager to get out amongst it and go horse riding, swimming, running etc, its so bad Ive had to be on indefinate leave from my job, no one seems to be able to help me and everyone is saying its in my head, if it is it must be deeply buried subconsciously!.. My panic attacks start with "gotta think to breathe" it can last for ages and ages and if i dont very very carefully control it, it realy spirals outta control, its exhausting and terrifying, the only thing that helps it is lorazepaem and special 4 x daily mild valium, had my bloods done, all it said that i was low in Phosphate but they felt that was common after stomach surgery and i had slightly elevated testosterone (had that before) Its just all so weird and frustrating, just feeling bit desperate and hoping this isnt going to be a forever thing, i dont regret my surgery and dont feel traumatised by it etc. Any help would be appreciated

I don't have anxiety but my depression definitely got worse after surgery. Around the 6-8 week mark things started to get back to normal. At 6 months out, I'm still not as balanced as I use to be, but it's nothing that stands in the way of everyday life. Psych has altered my meds a couple of times to no avail.
Physical activity seems to help me a lot - it might help with anxiety too. I also see a therapist once every 2 weeks.

Of everything to worry about, this is on top of my list. I'm glad you posted this question. Thank you.

My research has turned up the same info as Arts. For example, sleeve complications are higher than band complications in the short term (can't remember the exact stats). But in the longer term, the complications of sleeve go way down compared to the band. Basically, if its going to go wrong with the sleeve it goes wrong within the first couple months. (As long as you stick with your long term diet and Vitamin supplementation) I would talk to your surgeon about their specific complication stats because little variations in techniques make a difference in leak/stricture rates (I.e. bougie size, oversewing, pre and post op diet plan, etc.)

Yes, very rare... but very rare things happen. However, from what I've read the chances for complications diminish with time and by 6 months you are back to baseline and should expect no additional complications...

I had a stricture in my esophagus. Well, I still do, really. It's gotten better but it's still not back to where it was before. It no longer bothers me, I'm used to it. From what I am told, however; it's not common.

I've been lurking on this thread, but I guess I'm going to be brave and step into the fray.
I'll start by admitting I have serious eating issues. About a year before I had surgery, I felt so out of control with binge eating, and helpless to do anything about it, that I sought professional help. It was an interesting process, but one that helped me with insight (why), rather than with strategies (so, now what?).
When I decided to pursue WLS, I did so with the clear understanding that it was not going to be a fix for my eating issues, just a tool to help me manage the physical hunger. The first 6 months or so post-op felt fairly easy, and I surpassed my surgeon's goal, I became an avid runner, and completely changed both what and how I eat, with every intention of making those changes permanent. But carbs and sugar began to creep back into my diet, and it took me another 6 months to lose 14.5 of the last 15 pounds to get to my personal goal.
I suspect I could have been one of those people who struggles a bit to quit losing, if I'd stuck to eating what I'd planned, but I'm struggling again with binge eating, and as of this morning I'm about 23 pounds from my personal goal (I hate to admit it,but I've been quite a bit higher than this).
I've tried CBT, and I read everything I can get my hands on dealing with emotional eating, sugar addiction, etc. I haven't made it to an OA meeting yet, but I know where and when the nearest meeting is, and I'm seriously considering it.
Does this mean I don't "have any 'smarts' at all", since I regained quite a bit?
...Ouch....
I frequently see discussions about regain that comment "sure, if you're sucking down milkshakes and ice cream all day you can regain", and "you can eat around the sleeve if you're determined to", the implication being that those of us who don't maintain well are stupid, or stubbornly choose this path. I understand the fear of regain, and the desire to feel "safe", to think "I'm too smart to do that, so I'll be ok". But I'm a confident, well-educated woman, with a graduate degree and a good career in an intellectual field. And I'm very self-aware of my eating issues. I get on the scale every single morning, even knowing I wasn't going to be happy about the number I'd see there. Yes, I was scared about regaining. Yes, I knew I needed to address those few pounds before they became more. But I haven't got this figured out yet, and some days my old habits win. I'd venture to say that a good percentage of us have work to do on the mental/emotional side of this journey, and I feel a bit lost on that path.
Still, I have no regrets about having chose surgery. I'm out hiking every weekend I can be, up at 5am to head out in the mountains with the birds and the squirrels (I'm a grouchy hiker with hermit tendencies, so I gotta hit that trail before the chatty groups show up!) I'm much happier, and more confident in my body, even with the regain. I can't fit into all the skinny clothes in my closet, but I still believe it's possible to get there, and I'm not giving up. And, I'm pretty proud of the 80+ pounds I haven't regained, and I know without a doubt that without surgery, I'd probably weigh even more than I did pre-op.