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Signs Of Depression After Surgery



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I had surgery on December 22, 2011. Since the surgery, I have noticed that I'm becoming pretty critical of myself and the lack of progress for about 2 weeks. I've noticed that my emotions have been completely out of whack and I feel horrible about myself and the progress I've made so far. I was told this is not unusal for people that have had surgery because you are making changes associated with food and stopping years of bad habbits. Has anyone else experienced something similar? If so, what did you do to help the situation? I would appreciate anyone's input because at this point I'm ready to pull my hair out!

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It has its ups and downs but we can get thru it. Keep your head up!

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There is an actual name for it. It's called Hibernation Syndrome. It can happen at any time and will and can affect us all in different ways. If you don't get to feeling better soon please call your doctor and make sure it just your body adjusting to the new eating habits and far less calories.

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Oh my gosh THANK YOU bullock512! I had no idea and that is a huge relief knowing that I'm not losing my mind. I'm so tired and all I want to do is cry.

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You are not crazy! I was terrified of going through this, thankfully I have not experienced it myself. It was talked about at the very first support group meeting I went to before surgery. If it doesn't get better soon or you think its just too much please go talk to a doctor, either your surgeon or your primary doctor. You could probably Google Hibernation Syndrome and it could give you more information on it.

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Betsy, I was banded 12/20/08 and am maintaining after 90 pound weight loss. I did gain around 5-7 pounds from last year and have been fighting to get it off but I do remember this beginning of my journey. I went into a very bad depression, I think they told me it was mourning all the foods I used to eat. I wondered what I did to myself and doubted my decision for the first month on liquids and mushies. It will pass and you will realize that this is the best thing to happen to you and a life long commitment that keeps giving. Good luck and look forward and do not dwell on the sadness of losing your best friend (food) but look forward to the size 10 clothes you will be wearing.

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You are not alone. I was banded 8/22/11 and I was a mess the first two weeks following my surgery. I remember feeling upset because everyone around me was eating normal foods and all I could have was liquids. There were many nights I spent in my bedroom just crying. I was sad that I was fat and had to have this band and I didn't feel "normal" at all. Thankfully that all went away after "bandster hell". Keep your head up, it will get better!!

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    • LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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