I thought I was losing my mind

[ATXVeg 31]

I had surgery 2/5 and it went fairly well (other than the Really Big Hernia) and I was back home and resting that day. The trouble started on day 3.

I lost my mind.

Not really, but I became sooooo emotional that I was difficult to be around, all teary and snot-slinging. Any little thing would make me cry, or worse yet, sob. I knew something was really wrong when I started crying while watching an episode of iCarly. Really, I don't even like that show.

Well, because I'm a frickin genius who always over-estimates my abilities, I scheduled myself to go back to work 6 days after surgery. Big, big mistake. I work in Mental Health and it was all I could do to keep it together at work. I would go to my co-worker's office and sit on her couch (she's a therapist) and just cry. For days it was like this. I honestly thought that I was getting burned out, that the job was becoming too difficult.

Nah. It was a surgery side effect. My supervising physician came into my office and said, "You know this is normal, right?" So APPARENTLY physicians/surgeons know that surgery causes some people to lose their ****, so to speak. No one warned me about this. There's a little chatter on the boards about it, but I was full-on impaired by my emotions and I for sure wasn't expecting that.

So. Anyone else get this? I have to wonder if there were other factors at play, like the hernia repair and the side effects of poor sleep and starvation (due to that damn liquid diet). What to you all think? Has anyone had comparable surgery (gall bladder, etc) and had a really emotional reaction? I truly think the lack of calories had to have played into it. Because I'm up to about 1000 daily now and I feel soooooo much better.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I'm not sure which chemical the anesthesiologist use that cause it, but for a lot of people it can cause some really serious depression and emotional instability. Couple that with a complete lack of nutrients and calories, it's no wonder you had such a hard time.

By the way, if you watch these forums, you'll see others that have the same effect. Crying, depression, and downright freaking out. It's very traumatic!

I know I was really depressed. I swear I cried at everything for about a week after my surgery. It took little more than someone looking at me sideways for me to completely snap, rage, then sob. It wasn't fun at all.

Best wishes... you're definitely not alone.

[Lapbandster 496]

You just took a big step in your life. The fact that you were so emotional isn't entirely out of the ordinary!

Your doing just fine- remember take it one day at a time

[pshae 4]

I have had my ups and downs on this journey too (its only been 20 days). But I have to tell myself it is a major change and it will continue to be, it is kind of like starting you life over, at least the eating part anyway. Babies start with liquids and work their way to solids. LOL babies cry a lot too, when they are in the liquid stage. Lap band is a daily adventure, most days are great . I am in the stage of being freaked out about gaining weight, I never want to go back up on the scales, I think that is what keeps me going when I am feeling really bummed. Good to know I'm not alone. Thanks.

[parisshel 1,892]

I'm not sure which chemical the anesthesiologist use that cause it, but for a lot of people it can cause some really serious depression and emotional instability.

This is true. It is extremely common for people to experience depression after anesthesia. I read about this after my BF had a heart attack and had to have a couple of surgeries to place stents in his arteries. I noticed that he came home from the hospital depressed (and he is not a depressive) and found that this was more the rule than the exception following general anesthesia.

The only time I've had general anesthesia was when I had surgery following a broken ankle. 2 days post op I was crying and crying. Well, I was sad to be in a cast for 2 months, sure, but I suspect it was also the consequence of the anesthesia.

Something about it releases emotions.

[dani_nyc 224]

I have been crying at the weirdest things.. I'm 12 days post op... I was watching hotel Transylvania w/ my son and cried my eyes out (? Lol)

[jcmandi 21]

Oh my god,i am soo glad i read this....i thought i was friggin' crazy!I'm 6days out and was up at 3 in the morning crying to my husband.over nothing really.it just came upon me as soon as i woke up today.then each person i interacted with today got to see me bawl!!!!

[Vpamphile 2]

I was the same way, I think most of us go thru it

[anniearrr 59]

I think also there's a huge food grieving going on. For me, I realized my security blankie had been taken away. I wasn't able to excessively eat to calm myself anymore.

I cried. And cried. And wondered what the hell I had done to myself. And cried.

But it gets easier. I'm on day 27 post op and I feel great. I'm down 10 lbs since surgery. That's 2-3 average per week. And I'm able to run for 8-10 minutes at a time. It gets better. Hang in there.