I am curious to know if anyone had suffered from anxiety/panic when they were overweight. If so did this change after you were banded? I have this incredibly stupid fear of letting my heart rate get elevated because I have had issues with panic attacks out of the blue and believed I was dying of a heart attack, upon professional follow up/care I learned my heart is totally healthy....but now I am slightly fearful to excercise because I don't want my heart to race. I have spoken with my psychologist about this and I receive another question as my answer; "Why do you suppose that is?" Which I'm sitting there thinking 'if I knew why do you really think I would be sitting here talking to you about it?!' I'm wondering if my fear of excercise (or any other activity that may raise my heart rate) will get better as I start to drop weight.

I was very heavy when i started this and although i wouldnt say i had panic attacks about it, i was concerned and anxious at having a 'heart attack' i gave myself post surgery a couple of months really not doing much exercise other than some leg raises and dumbells sitting on the sofa watching tv, with counting calories too the weight fell off and by 3 months post op i bought myself an exercise bike and hve been cycling ever since, i also have a road bike now and can cycle some days 25 miles .. i started off slow and steady u really dont need to push yourself to the limits to lose weight ..

About 3 years before I had my lap band surgery I started having panic attacks. I was too afraid to exercise because I did not want to raise my heart rate. I ended up in the ER 3 times before I accepted that I was having only having a panic attacks and not dying from a heart attack. I was put on anxiety meds saw a therapist. I am currently still on the meds. I don't have panic attacks anymore but I still expirence anxiety from time to time. I don't think my weight had anything to do with the anxiety.

I have clinical depresssion and social anxiety. I have only known what it wasfor about 10 years. I take a small dose of meds. I have been on many meds to find what works for me. I did 3 years of seeing a therapist and do so much better now. That is why I got the Band in the first place. My Docs say the depressions is a chemical imbalance so I really can't fix that, so I told my husband I could not deal with the weight and the depression and anxiety so I wanted help with the weight . . . .so thats why I got the Band.

I also have panic attacks, my younger brother suffered with them for years and he would always go to the ER. So now that I get them, from seeing him and learning coping skill when I have a panic attack I already know what it is and I know I will not die I just have to wait it out. Mine are only about 15 minutes and I just push myself through them.

Anxiety is a strange thing but you need to learn some coping skills to deal with them. Mine are the same as before band and I am 3 years out this month. It is mind over body when it comes to a panic attack. You said you know your heart is healthy so just remember it will on last for minutes and be gone. Exercise is good for your heart, anxiety and depression. I think as time goes on you will be able to push through it for the good feeling you will get from your work out. Remember stress is not good for weightloss. best wishes!

cheri

I have depression and anxiety, along with MAJOR panic attacks. I find when I do exercise it actually helps all three conditions. Exercise is a good stress reliever and although anxiety and panic attacks don't have to be related to stress, exercising did seem to reduce them. Not to mention the extra energy exercise gives me. I sleep less, I'm less tired and I participate in life more. I too have been to the hospital with the panic attacks, I too have had the heart workup, and now I take medicine that controls my depression and anxiety. I haven't had a panic attack in three months. (They changed my meds three months ago). Talk to your doctor about it, and if you get no where, find another doctor who will work with you. Like has already been stated, its caused by a chemical imbalance and you need a medicine to correct that.

When you do work out, your heart will beat faster though, just because you are working out. Don't get worried! If you go to a gym (or check with your doctor) for the optimum heart rate for you when you exercise and check it when you do. By keeping it in the right zone, you maximum your exercise routine and burn the most calories.

Good Luck and know you are not alone.

I have had anxiety for over 20 years. I was on anti-depressants for years, until after awhile I finally got a Dr to listen and guess what? I wasn't depressed, it was anxiety! I was prescribed a small dose of xanax and take it when necessary. It has made a big difference, especially when I thought I was having heart attacks! My heart is great. I feel a little chest tightness when I do my walking, then I start letting my mind go into freak out mode, I continue walking and it goes away! So I decided it was my lungs getting used to me "really breathing" instead of just doing it involuntarily. Everyone is different, that's why we are individuals! Onward and Upward my friend!

Thanks ladies, its nice to know im not the only one battling the panic/anxiety. I think i will seek a different doc because i have asked for xanax before and was told they dont perscribe it because it can be habit forming, i have ni history of substance abuse and truly would only take it when breathing excercises failed.

I was very heavy when i started this and although i wouldnt say i had panic attacks about it, i was concerned and anxious at having a 'heart attack' i gave myself post surgery a couple of months really not doing much exercise other than some leg raises and dumbells sitting on the sofa watching tv, with counting calories too the weight fell off and by 3 months post op i bought myself an exercise bike and hve been cycling ever since, i also have a road bike now and can cycle some days 25 miles .. i started off slow and steady u really dont need to push yourself to the limits to lose weight ..

I still hide from camera's i hate the darn things, and even worse 'video's' and i know the anxiety wil kick in when i start exercising too. I think i am gonna get a heart attack from stress & worry about it all. I dislike feeling like that too.