Hi,

This is a hard post because I'm really opening up and sharing something with people who might not understand, and not knowing me might think I'm a whack job. lol

I had surgery 11 days ago. I have been very depressed and upset the last couple days but I didn't know why til now. I had to go through so much to get the surgery, and I was so scared of surgery that I focused on that rather than what post-surgery be like. I understood logically that things would take time, I understood it wasn't a magic cure intellectually. But my coping mechanism must've tricked me into thinking things would be so different after surgery. Now my expectations are smashed. I'm very sad because the same problems I had before surgery, I still have. I don't feel any progress, I don't feel any restriction. I just feel a ton of pain still (I had gall bladder removed and lap band laparoscopically), and I am healing slower than others. I'm almost regretting it instead of feeling proud that I accomplished a lot to get here.

Again I understand intellectually what this process is about. I haven't even had my first fill yet, but I can't shake this depression. I am extremely sad. Has anyone experienced this? I feel really alone about it.

I hope you well be feeling better soon. As the other posters have said, many folks get depressed and this is normal. Afterall, it almost feels like we've lost our best friend (FOOD)!

Soon, you will be on solids and feeling like you can get into a normal life.

Shawn

You are not crazy. I also had a weird stage of severe depression/emotional issues soon after surgery. I swear I think it had something to do with the anethesia. Mine lasted about a week then one morning I woke up and felt better. But, it was embarassing...I would just bust into tears for no reason. It was a really tough time for me so I know how you feel and am sending good wishes your way!

:Banane27:

That is EXACTLY what happened to me. I found out also (during the depression) that it was due to the aneth. ....it really helped me a lot, knowing that I wasn't going crazy; that there was an actual reason for all the tears. So, try not to fret about it too much! And, yes, if you do a search, you'll see a lot of threads like this come up!

It too, shall pass!! Hang in there!

My post-op depression lasted a little longer than what most people here are describing, so I wanted to tell you about it (and assure you that it does end) in case you experience something more like what I did. Basically, I felt like getting banded was such a huge decision. Then, it was over, yet I didn't feel any different at all, particularly around week 4, once I was back on solid food, per my doctor's instructions. Weeks 4-7 were very hard for me because I had no restriction without a fill. I went in for a fill on week 7 and it did nothing for me. I was SUPER depressed (like didn't want to get out of bed to go to work). By week 9, I'd gotten 2 more fills and had very good restriction. The depression lifted almost immediately, once I saw that the band WAS different from all the other weight loss programs I'd tried. That was all I needed to move on from the depressive episode, but it was a very, very hard time for me, waiting to get proper restriction.

Just know that it is coming and that this IS different.

I am having severe depression and afraid that I have done the wrong thing. I just can't see the light at the end of the trunnel right now. Still on mushy food so hoping that when I can start to eat again I will feel better. I am just so tired of feeling this way.

I havent read the other responses and don't have the band yet but I did have my gallbladder removed recently so I know how laprascopic surgery itself effects me.

I had a horrible bout of depression after I had my gallbladder out. I felt like the world was ending and life wasn't all that worth living. I didnt understand what was going on until I connected the dots and realized that I had heard that a lot of people experience depression after surgery and this was what I was going through! I was not myself at all!

This is totally normal and you're not crazy. Just try to find ways to get your mind off things and it will get better I promise! Try watching funny movies and shows, reading funny websites, talking to friends/family, just try to surround yourself with distraction, that helped me somewhat and I plan to use the same technique when I get the band. Get a manicure, petticure, new hair cut, make yourself feel good!

You are healing from surgery and your body needs time to get back to normal - and your head knows it too! It may be a self defense mechanism our minds use to keep us inactive after major injury - if you're depressed you're not going to be running around doing all kinds of stuff, you'll be laying around feeling sorry for yourself and it gives your body a chance to heal - just my theory about it.

So don't worry, it will pass! :thumbup: